He approves. He’s enough. The title was “Satisfaction.” The opening line says, “I can’t get no satisfaction…” Isn’t that the theme of Ecclesiastes? E. Weeping and Laughter (Eccl 3:4) – Some who are weeping long for laughter. Introduction to Ecclesiastes Fes-to Kivengere, an leading African Christian, told of his experience as follows: My life was like a spinning top. A clear, definitive exposition of the theme of this portion of God's Word. Ecclesiastes 12:6, "Then and the dust returns to the ground it came from; and the spirit returns to God who gave it." You won’t take anything with you. “Desire” = biological clock. Discusses the basics of a philosophy of life, the problems that … What's the big idea? 1856. Note: “Hope”, “dog”. Sermon Series on In chapter six please note Solomon’s insight. The role of wisdom in experiencing success surfaces repeatedly, particularly when Solomon must acknowledge that God has not revealed all of the details. Roy Zuck "God and Man in Ecclesiastes," Bibliotheca Sacra 148 (Jan.-Mar. Lot at what Solomon saw. Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1999. Ecclesiastes, F B MEYER Scholarly of course, and also more vivacious than is usual with Hengstenberg. I must admit that it is indeed filled with hopelessness and despair. I am quoting from his book Meditations on Ecclesiastes. It could be that not playing by the rules can get you into trouble. Spend (Eccl 8:16) – These people spend day and night trying to solve the unsolvable and answer the unanswerable. E. He Who Hugs His Money will Find that his Security is Nullified (Eccl 5:14) - He made an unsound investment and lost it all (See Proverbs 23:4-5). I. '', CHRIST IN ECCLESIASTES--I could find no better expression of the purpose of this book that that which was written by F. C. Jennings, a devout student of the Word of God. This is an article deluxe, and is rather for the drawing-room than for the study. B. If you magnify every difficulty or hardship, you won’t ever work. I worked, I played, I worked. Some young people can’t be happy (parents/peer pressure/hormones). I’m sorry, but I’m not a miracle worker. A. Eccl 10:4 – Terror – Some leaders produce terror. B. Ecclesiastes 7:10, "Wisdom is good with an inheritance." American King James Version ×, in the last subsection before the epilogue, he told the young to enjoy life, … Ecclesiastes for English Readers. Keep in mind this is a generalization. It’s the pursuit of being number one even if you have to be dishonest. And in Ecclesiastes 11:9 Ecclesiastes 11:9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth; and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes: but know you, that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. Cast your bread upon the waters: This probably refers to a shipping … Ecclesiastes 3:18, "All are from the dust, and all return to dust!" Why these contradictions, why this approach? DON ANDERSON Ecclesiastes 9 Commentary Explained We start our Ecclesiastes 9 commentary considering that death is inevitable. Ecclesiastes 7:25, "I found one man among a thousand." “A little bird told me!”, Conclusion: When it comes to lifestyle, leadership, labor and your lips “act like you got some sense.”. Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days. Ecclesiastes 11:9 to Ecclesiastes 12:1 When I first entered Ranelagh, it gave an expansion and gay sensation to my mind, such as I never experienced anywhere else. 1908, BRIAN BELL What should we learn from the life of Solomon? Does your life lack the meaning and purpose you desire? Ever noted all the leeches, parasites and blood-suckers of society who attach themselves to someone who has money? Its problem is-- Can the world, apart from God, meet man's need? 2. For English Readers Kidner, Derek. This is anger mixed with resentment which leads to a rebellious spirit. This should produce a humble, teachable spirit. People may be ignorant of God’s timing (3:9–11), but they are called to enjoy life in the present … 2:1-11, Matt. Tip-toe! Ecclesiastes 7:15-8:1 Whoever Said Life Was Fair? Who? Our Daily Homily That’s why this book of Ecclesiastes is such a helpful pre-evangelism tool to use with our unsaved friends. He has a good work ethic (Eccl 10:18-19). C. Watch Your Mouth (Eccl 5:2) – Underline the words “quick,” “hasty,” “few.” We don’t impress God with flowery language or bloated promises. Enjoy life. Ecclesiastes 9:4, "Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God now accepts your works." Book of Ecclesiastes, E H PLUMPTRE Samuel Cox, Note: If you can locate the six-volume edition of the Expositor’s Bible, buy it immediately! Have you determined life’s purpose yet. It is better to be wise than foolish (Eccl 2:13) or famous (4:13–16), for wisdom can help preserve life (Eccl 7:11–12), gives strength (Eccl 7:19), causes one to reflect on the seriousness of life and death (Eccl 7:5), and can brighten a person’s countenance (Eccl 8:1). He can lift the doom and gloom. What does the Bible say about how to find purpose in life? He tried it all and each time came up empty. – “Remember your Creator.” For “Creator” see Genesis 1:1; 1:26. As you scroll the Bible text in the left panel, the notes are synchronized and will scroll to the same passage. D. Confession – (Eccl 4:2-3). B. Both chapters are bristling with the personal pronoun ''I,'' and the result, in both, is failure and disaster. All point to Solomon, the son of David, as the author. 1. Calvary Chapel Murrieta. Solomon followed David on the throne in Jerusalem as the only Davidic son to rule over all Israel from that city (Eccl 1:12). Lighten up. He warned them to avoid walking through life on the path of human wisdom; he exhorted them to live by the revealed wisdom of God (Eccl 12:9–14). Pointer: “What you hear is not always what you need.” Don’t take seriously everything you hear. Be Courageous in Life: Ecclesiastes 8:1-12:14, VII. Anson F. Rainey, "A Study of Eccleisates," Concordia Theological Monthly 35 (1964) 148-57. Ecclesiastes 11:9 days of thy ... A unique, popular approach to the book of Ecclesiastes. In spite of this, Crenshaw is an acknowledged specialist in wisdom literature, and there is much to learn from his judicious remarks. Don’t quit or resign. E. Summation (Eccl 1:9): Solomon’s point is not to drive us to despair but to God. Explanation (Eccl 8:1) – The leader should be able to see the big picture. At the end of the day, what’s the gain? Ecclesiastes 6:1-7:14 Things Are Not What They Seem. Conclusion: Make the investment. Any pleasure—whether good or illegitimate (and we will discuss this week how to discern between the two)—can make us slaves. Mere human wisdom, wisdom acquired by intellectual pursuits, is inadequate, but divine wisdom enables man to rest in the sovereign ways of God and in His providential timing (Eccl 8:5). Something New Under the Sun. A. Life grinds to nothingness, but man keeps searching (Ecclesiastes 1:1-11). He messed up big time. The Eternity and Perfection of the Divine Purposes and Doings, A Present Use and Enjoyment of the Gifts of God is Advisable, Man's Unrighteousness Contrasted with God's Righteousness, The Reasonableness and Equity of a Future Judgment, The Applause of the Dead Regulated, Vindicated and Improved, How the Success of Others Should Affect Us, The Necessity and Benefits of Religious Society, On the Advantages of Christian Knowledge to the Lower Orders of Society, Reverence, Reticence, and Brevity in Devotion, The Unsatisfactoriness of Material Wealth, The Unsatisfactoriness and Transitoriness of Earthly Good, How is the Adherent Vanity of Every Condition Most Effectually Abated by Serious Godliness, On Our Ignorance of Good and Evil in This Life, The Believer's Deathday Better than His Birthday, On the Benefits to be Derived from the House of Mourning, The Evil, the Unprofitable, and the Blessed Flying, The Advantages of Visiting the Mansions of Distress, The End of a Good Man's Life is Better than the Beginning, The Danger of Being Over-Righteous or Over-Wise, Man's Inability to Keep the Law Perfectly, Man in His Original and in His Lapsed Stage, Man's Creation in a Holy, But Mutable, State, The Original State of Man, and the Covenant of Works, Death an Unpreventable Exit of the Spirit, The Wicked Man's Life, Funeral and Epitaph, The Wicked Man's Life, Funeral, and Epitaph, God's Delay of Executing the Sentence of Condemnation Against Ungodly Men Often Miserably Abused by Them, Present Forbearance no Argument Against Future Retribution, The Longsuffering of God with Individuals, Apparent Discrepancy Between Character and Circumstances, Scriptural Statement of the Doctrines of Human Corruption, The Delusion of Common Lily Rebuked and Corrected, Plain Sermons by Contributors to the "Tracts for the Times. Ecclesiastes 8:10, "Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." Ecclesiastes 1:18, "I said of laughter: It is madness! The intention of the writer evidently is not to encourage the young to follow the dictates of their own heart without reference to God's will. 1821. Questions about Ecclesiastes: What are the most commonly asked questions about the Book of Ecclesiastes? This may not seem just. He does according to his own will. Looked at “under the sun” (Pr 8:17), Life’s pursuits lead only to frustration. He’s making his way back to the Lord. Ecclesiastes, LANGE'S COMMENTARY Ecclesiastes 1:8, "What has been — will be again, what has been done — will be done again. KEIL & DELITZSCH COMMENTARY Note the 1-2-3 punch. Do a good study of Psalm 73 and you will discover valuable insight. Ecclesiastes 2:17, "There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink." He researched. A unique, popular approach to the book of Ecclesiastes. Why does the Preacher conclude, “All is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 12:8). It’s a “see-saw” battle. Duane A. Garrett, "Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 and the Feminist Hermeneutic," Criswell Theological Review 2 (1988) 309-21. Here is a leader who puts little people in big positions, while the one who is capable and competent is low man on the totem pole. Is Ecclesiastes a Misfit? He gives us permission to enjoy him and ourselves. H. Carl Shank, "Qoheleth's World and Life View as Seen in His Recurring Phrases,"Westminster Theological Journal 37 (1974) 57-73. HAMILTON JAMES, D.D. DESVOEUX (A. V.) A Philosophical and Critical Essay on Ecclesiastes. In this chapter Solomon gives us insight on how to live 365 days a year. Be Satisfied. A. ''Under the heaven'' is thrice mentioned, and ''upon the earth'' seven times. The Traits of Wise Leaders (Eccl 8:1-9). The work is not at all to our taste. One year for a teenager longing for a driver’s license differs from the person who’s just been told they have one year to live because of a terminal illness. VI. Have you ever thought about the purposeless driven life? Commentary in form of Sermons, OUR DAILY BREAD Mark 8:36], Who is it that propounds this problem? Does it touch His honor? 1:1-18, Matt. He does not know his time of death (Ecclesiastes 9:11, 12), 4. Ecclesiastes 11:8, "The days of darkness." Not so. Having said that let’s see if we can determine what Solomon is saying here. Ecclesiastes 8:7, "No one has power over the spirit to retain the spirit; and no one has power in the day of death." Ecclesiastes. His treatment highlights what he believes to be the books irony of contradictions, and this casts light on some of the enigmas of life. They are being manipulated into the belief that appetite is a sufficient reason to consume anything. The reign of Solomon sees Israel in its golden age. Introduction: What is this title all about? One of the most satisfying expositions on this portion of Scripture. You need to rethink that! The opening verse gives the title of the book: ''The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.'' “Here am I, send me.” Give all you have to further His cause. It’s taken some people a long time to learn this. Author and Date - The autobiographical profile of the book’s writer unmistakably points to Solomon. We cannot tell what sort of ground it will fall upon, but in this passage in Ecclesiastes, God gives the faithful sower the benefit of the doubt as to its success. To “impart knowledge.” He carefully arranged them in an orderly fashion. Commentary on Ecclesiastes. Exposition of Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes 4:5, "Better one handful with tranquility — than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind!" To learn the true meaning of life … first view life apart from God – see it in all of its futility … then the layer of God-connectiveness can be added and it will mean something. Spurgeon: Bridges says Holden "stands foremost for accuracy of critical exegesis," and Ginsburg considers his Commentary to be the best in our language. Vol. Spurgeon - The author in this little publication does not comment upon the whole Book; but the passages he touches are ably explained. Ideal for adult discussion groups. The good guys don’t always win – in the here and now – but one day they will! (Excerpt) The book of Ecclesiastes has been branded as a book of pessimism and denounced by the critics as unworthy of the Holy Spirit's authorship.