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ECCLESIASTES – LESSON SEVEN

I. PROVERBS CONCERNING VARIOUS FACETS OF LIFE (7:1-29).

A. Better things:

1. A good name is better than precious oil (v.1).

2. The day of death is better than the death of one’s birth (v.1) .

3. The house of mourning is better than the house of mirth (v.2).

4. Sorrow is better than laughter (v. 3-4)

5. Hearing rebuke from the wise is better than hearing the song of fools      (v. 5-7).

6. Better is the end of a thing than the beginning (v. 8-10).

B. Wisdom praised as an inheritance and defense (v. 11-12)

C. Considering the work of God- days of prosperity and days of adversity (v. 13-14)

1. Cannot make straight that which God makes crooked

2. Days of prosperity – rejoice; days of adversity- consider

                  D.   Considering righteousness and wickedness in light of uncertain circumstances

                         (v. 15-18)

                  E.    Wisdom’s strength praised (v. 19)

                  F.  A righteous man – he who does good and sins not – cannot be found (v. 20).

                  G.  Desire not to hear words of your servant, for you may hear words of cursing

                         against you (v. 21-22).

                  H.  Things learned by seeking wisdom (v. 23-29)

   1. Wickedness is folly – foolishness is madness.

                          2. Ensnaring woman more bitter than death – Please God and you will escapeher.

                          3. God made man upright – but man has sought out many inventions.

   

QUESTIONS:

1. Why is a good name better than precious oil?

2. Why is the day of one’s death better than the day of one’s birth?

3. When can the days of sorrow be better than the days of laughter?

4. When are rebukes good for us?  

5. Why do you not want to hear the “song of fools”?

6. What can take away the understanding of a wise man?

7. Which is better to have: wisdom or money?  Why?  

8. What has God made side by side?  How should you therefore conduct yourself?

9. In considering the alternatives of being righteous and wicked, what should we know and do?

10. What are two characteristics of the man who is righteous? Can such a man be found?

11. Why should you not search out all the time what people are saying?

12. What attitude and action can equip one to escape the snares of the sinful woman?

13. What had Solomon not found as he was laying one thing to another?

14. Is God to blame for man sinning?  Why?