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ECCLESIASTES – LESSON EIGHT

I. WISDOM’S GUIDANCE BY OBSERVING THE INEQUALITIES OF LIFE (Chapter 8-9).

A. Living wisely under the rule of a king  (8:1-8).

1. Wisdom changes an impudent face to shine before the king.

2. Wisdom will cause one to obey the king’s demands.

3. Wisdom recognizes time and judgment for every action- causing one to avoid wickedness.

B. Dealing with the times when there is no retribution upon those exercising power to hurt others (8:9-13).

1. Sentence against evil not executed speedily – men’s hearts are strong to do evil.

2. The wicked’s days though prolonged are like a shadow – fear God.

C. Wisdom of enjoying the fruits of one’s labor that are reach in light of the fact that sometimes the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper (8:14-15).

                  D.   The exercise of wisdom is laborious and still cannot find out the secret ways of

                         God (8:16-9:1)

                  E.    Living with the understanding that the one event of death happens alike to the

                         righteous and wicked (9:2-10).

                         1. Observations that life is better than death: “a living dog is better than a dead lion.”

                         2. Enjoy the fruits of your labor and marriage as your portion in life under the sun.

                         3. Do your work now with all your might – no work done in the realm of the dead.

                  F.  Sometimes the rewards do not come to the favored – sudden calamity can come to all (9:11-12).

                  G.  Wisdom is better than weapons of war (9:13-18).

                         1. Yet, the poor wise man that delivers the city from a stronger power will be forgotten.  

                         2. Yet, one sinner destroys much good.

  

QUESTIONS:

1. If you have a hardened rebellious spirit regarding “authority” in this world, what wise things should you consider?  

2. What did the author see in this world regarding the use of power?

3. What is the result when punishment for wrongdoing is not “speedily” carried out?

4. What should we understand about the wicked, especially when they seem to “prolong” their days?   

5. Therefore, what should we do before God?  

6. What can one do to even in times when the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper?

7. What can man not find out regarding work done under the sun?

8. Where  do all the righteous and wicked go?

9. Why is a living dog better than a dead lion?  

10. Why should you eat your bread and drink your wine with a merry heart?

11. What does 9:9 says about how we should look at the institution of marriage?  

12. What should be your attitude toward “work” each day you live?  

13. Why is it that the race is not always won be the swift?  

14. How is our life like that of a fish or a bird?

15. How is wisdom better than strength or power?

16. What is a sad fact about the wise and the good they can provide?  

ECCLESIASTES – LESSON NINE

I. PROVERBS CONSTRASTING WISDOM AND FOLLY AND THE WISDOM DEALING WITH RULERS (Chapter 10)

A. The destructive nature of folly and the strength of wisdom (v. 1-3).

1. A little folly can destroy the whole work produced by wisdom (v.1)

2. A wise man’s heart is a useful exalted power, while a fool’s heart is not useful to him but reveals to all his foolishness when he goes his way       (v. 2-3).

B. Wisdom under rulers who are foolish or capricious (v. 4-11).

1. In the face of angry ruler, manifest gentleness (v.4)

2. Rulers can cause confusion in ordering the state of affairs ( 5-7).

3. The benefits of prudence and caution (v. 8-11).

      C. The words and ways of the wise and foolish contrasted (v. 12-15).

D. Wisdom and diligence needed among rulers – prudence needed among subjects   before an unworthy ruler (v. 16-20).

                    

QUESTIONS:

1. Why should we always be concerned with folly and sin even when it may not seem to be widespread?   

2. What is the significance of the heart of the wise man being at his “right hand”?

3. What does a fool manifest himself ?  

4. What should you be sure not to do when the spirit of the ruler rises up against you?   Why?

5. Under some rulers, what can you see sitting in the dignified places?  

6. What proverbs show that we should be careful by the projects we take on?

7. What does wisdom declare if you want to weed your garden with a dull hoe?

8. What principle does a bitten snake charmer teach you?  

9. What is the fruit of the words of the wise man ?  

10. Why should you not dismiss the words that come out of a fool’s mouth as not going anywhere?

11. One who is wordy or says a lot of things on a subject is no doubt wise. (T)  (F)

12. What should sober our thinking when we are enamored with our multitudinous words?  

13. What two circumstances regarding rulers spell “woe” to the people they rule?   Why?   

14. What will be instrumental in the roof leaking and sinking?

15. How does verse 19 tie in with rulers who bring woe?  

16. Why should you be careful with what you think and say about your rulers?