1 / 5

Lesson 8 – Seeking Happiness…Finding Misery – Part 3: Ecclesiastes in the Bible Brian K. Davis

Seeking Answers. A Study in Ecclesiastes. Lesson 8 – Seeking Happiness…Finding Misery – Part 3: Ecclesiastes in the Bible Brian K. Davis December 28, 2011 . Authorship. Solomon as the Author

danica
Download Presentation

Lesson 8 – Seeking Happiness…Finding Misery – Part 3: Ecclesiastes in the Bible Brian K. Davis

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Seeking Answers A Study in Ecclesiastes Lesson 8 – Seeking Happiness…Finding Misery – Part 3: Ecclesiastes in the Bible Brian K. Davis December 28, 2011

  2. Authorship • Solomon as the Author • Credited to him from ancient times by both Jewish and Christian scholars until the time of Luther. • “Preacher” described as: • “Son of David, king in Jerusalem” (1:1) • “King over Israel in Jerusalem” (1:12) • “Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge.” (1:16) • “So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.” (2:9) • See I Kings 3:6 – 14 • See Proverbs 25:1 • Objections to Solomon as the Author • He is not mention specifically by name in the book • The writer uses past tense in 1:12 when referring to himself as King over Israel • Conditions mentioned in Ecclesiastes are irreconcilable with Solomon’s time in Israel – political oppression, corruption, injustice, etc. • Writing style and words used in the book have it dated around the 5th century BC • No indication that Solomon returned to the Lord – Solomon’s fall was not intellectual (I Kings 11:1-4); he went after what he felt rather than what he knew

  3. Canon Considerations Law Historical Books Poetical Books Prophets 17 Books of History Law (5) Pre-exile History (9) Post-exile History (3) 5 Books of Experience 17 Books of Prophecy Major Prophets (5) Pre-exile Minor Prophets (9) Post-exile Minor Prophets (3) Past Present Future • The 5 Poetical Books • Each book deals with one of the major problems of mankind and the question of: Job The Problem of Suffering is a man on his face before God Why do bad things happen to good people? Psalms Prayer and Worship is a man on his knees before God How do I approach God? Proverbs is a man sitting and being instructed by God The Problem of Conduct How shall I live? Ecclesiastes The Problem of Meaning in Life is a man yet to stand before God Why am I here? Song of Solomon Love is a man’s experience of falling in love How shall I love?

  4. II Timothy 3:16 - 17 • All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. • Doctrine - a particular principle, position, or policy taught or advocated, as of a religion or government • Reproof - the act of reproving, censuring, or rebuking • Correction - something that is substituted or proposed for what is wrong or inaccurate • Instruction in righteousness - knowledge or information imparted that is characterized by uprightness or morality 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  5. II Timothy 3:16 – 17 - Debrief • Doctrine: • Ecclesiastes 12:14 - God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing whether good or evil • Reproof: • Ecclesiastes 2:24; 3:13, 5:19- Eating and drinking with enjoyment and seeing good in one’s labor are gifts from God • Correction: • Ecclesiastes 5:1-3 – God is Sovereign • Instruction in righteousness: • Ecclesiastes 3:11 – God has placed eternity in their hearts • Ecclesiastes 5:6-7 – Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin; fear God • Ecclesiastes 12:13 – Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all • “As with all Old Testament Scripture, it was written for our learning (Romans 15:4) and admonition (1 Corinthians 10:11). Ecclesiastes has special relevance today in our materialistic society, for it helps us to see the vanity of many earthly pursuits. It contains lessons for all, but especially for the young who have so much to lose should they make the wrong choices early in life.” (Copeland, pg. 3)

More Related