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ECCLESIASTES
The Meaning of Life
Chapter 7 (and 8:1)
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Read verses 1-6
If prosperity is not always the “blessing” we make it out to be (Chapter 6),
than neither are sorrow and hardship the “evil” we make them out to be.
verses1-6. List the “better than’s” that Solomon employs here to take the sting out of sorrow and
sadness. Which do you agree with (or at least understand his thinking) and which do you disagree with?
Read Psalm 90:10, 12. How do sorrow and death make us sober and wise?
Read verses 7-12
verses 8, 9. The end of a matter is better than its beginning… What are some dangers of first
impressions and quick judgments? Read Proverbs 18:17 for a remedy.
verse 10. Think back to what you believe were the “good old days.” Why do you remember them so
fondly? What are you leaving out of your recollection?
verses 11, 12. Solomon says that money can provide security (as money is a shelter
), but that wisdom might save your life. What does he mean here?
Read verses 13, 14
verse 13. Have you ever found yourself working to avoid trouble or pain, when God was trying to teach you
something you couldn’t learn any other way? How far did your resistance get you?
verse 14. Solomon says we are wise to take the good times with the bad, and recognize God’s
hand in all things. How does this perspective help us avoid depression, bitterness, and/or hopelessness?
Read verses 15-19
verse 15. Isn’t this a universal lament? Life isn’t fair. But if you could make it fair, what would you change
first?
verse 16. Solomon warns against being “over-righteous” and “over-wise”. What might this look
like in your life? (remember, Jesus reserved His harshest words for the self righteous Pharisees)
verse 17. At the same time, overindulgence and wickedness can kill you.
verse 19. “Knowledge is power.” Solomon tweaks this adage to read “Wisdom is restraint.” Explain.
Read verses 20-29
verse 20-22.
Solomon discovers that in pursuing wisdom he opens himself up to new levels of clarity, even brutal honesty about himself. How well do you know yourself? How does God “expose” areas of your life where you fall short?
verse 25. Solomon determines to figure out how life works (the scheme of things), taking into
account some bad thinking that has clouded man’s judgment. What are some examples of this kind of bad thinking that we contend with in our day?
verses 27, 28.
Compare this section to Proverbs 31:10-31. What do you suppose is his real opinion of women? What might explain his sour note here?
verse 29. Does this sound eerily familiar? Read Genesis 2:15-17. None of us have the time or the money to make
all the mistakes in the world. Why do we insist on trying, anyway?
Chapter 8, verse 1. Abraham Lincoln is credited with saying that “Every person over 40 is responsible for his own
face.” What did he mean?
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