Ecclesiastes

1. What do you see in this book that tells you about the original reader?

The book was most likely written during the time of Solomon's reign as king (1:1,12) when there were no wars or things to worry about. The people seem to not be bound by the years of uncertainty they had been facing and now had time to sit and think about the bigger things of life. From the likings of the texts it was probably a time of prosperity as there is a lot of talk about wealth and working and how to deal with them (2:18-23, 4:4, 5:10).

2. What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

It's either written by Solomon or someone writing as if they were him. I would like to think that it's Solomon writing in reflection over his life. He's learned a lot; he had all the wealth, all the women, all the power, all the wisdom. The texts refers being King a lot and uses the first person “I” (1:12, 16, 2:4-8). The last few verses of the book (12:9-13) were most likely added in by a scribe.

3. What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the “main idea?”
   
   
   The main theme in Ecclesiastes is “Fear God! (3:14, 5:7, 7:18, 8:13, 12:13) because all earthly things are meaningless” (1:2,12, 2:1,11,15,17,19,24,26, 3:19, 4:4,8,15, 5:10, 6:9, 12:8) and those who fear God will be better off (8:12). Don't just dream about nice things (6:9), or love money (2:26, 5:10, 13) and don't seek success because of envy (4:4)- all are meaningless. There is no explanation for why the things of the world work the way they do- we can't understand God's doings (7:13, 8:17, 9:1, 11:5) so we should just accept things for what they are.

There is a theme of contrasting wisdom and foolishness throughout Ecclesiastes ( 2:13-14, 9:17, 10:12, Chapter 7). Wisdom is better than foolishness, but in gaining more wisdom you may become more sorrowful (1:18) because as you understand more and have more insight you have more questions and more ponderings for which there are no answers. And wisdom often brings trouble upon you. (2:3, 4:13-16)

At the end of the day, we aren't meant to figure things out but to seek God and know HIM.

Have fun in life, but fear God! He's given you good things, but seek Him first. Do this before you get old and come off the “high” of youth. (11:9,12:6)

One Sentence- Nothing is of value unless you seek God and have Him as the center of your life.

4. What is the primary reason this book was written?
   
   
   To teach that you'll never know everything, understanding God is impossible. You could have everything in the world of “value” but still be missing the purpose of life and complete fulfillment. The things of life are good and given to us by the Lord but there are not where we should be finding our satisfaction. We should be satisfying ourselves in the Lord.
   We were all created to be “virtuous (of high moral standard) but each has turned to follow their own downward path” and have given in to the pleasures of this world rather than God. (7:29)
   The purpose is to know God. And “God's purpose is that peple should fear him. What is happening now has happened before, and what till happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again.” (3:14-15). He constantly brings us to the place of utter bewilderment and lack of knowledge and wisdom so that we have to seek Him.

5. What does this book show about the character and nature of God?
   Creator of all things and cannot be understood (11:5, 8-17). He is the judge of all things good and bad (3:17, 11:9), Gives good things (2:26, 3:12-13, 5:19-20, 6:2, 7:29, 9:7-9). He doesn't like broken promises (5:1-6), and He longs for intimacy (3:14-15). He makes things beautiful for their own times (3:11) and everything He does is final, there's no way to change it (3:14). He already knows each and every destiny so there's no point in arguing with Him (6:10)
   
   
   
   
6. What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?
   
   
   Ecclesiastes is full of the lessons learned over years. Solomon had everything, and he didn't necessarily live his life to it's fullest potential but God still used Him for even greater things. Solomon asked for wisdom, he received it and may not have used it well, but God still used him to speak- he redeemed the misfortunes of the gift that was given. God is a redeemer!
   Our lives are redeemed simply by living in accordance with the will of God and fearing Him. At the end of our days it's not about what we did, what we accomplished or the crwons we received, it's about who we were and where our hearts were at before His throne. And that is a story of redemption- not by works, understanding or great things, but simply by fearing Him.
   
   

7. Personal Application:
   
   
   Something I've always struggled with is trying to understand why God would say things, or lead me to do certain things- leave things behind or make hard decisions. I get myself into a worried mess trying to figure everything out. But it's all useless. In the moment I will never be able to understand what He's doing, only He sees the bigger picture, but looking back He will give me a glimpse of what He was doing and it will all make sense. But in the moment, it's a choice of simply obeying and saying, “Okay, God! I trust you! Even if this doesn't make sense (to me) I know you know the bigger picture so I submit to Your ways.” It's in those moments of abadoning my desire to know and understand that peace overwhelms. Such a funny contrast that most of the world doesn't understand... letting go to obtain peace. Even now, seeing something that's right in front of me that makes complete sense, and it's something I want deeply but He says, “Wait. Trust Me.” How do I trust when it's within a fingertips grasp but He says No..? Obviously there's something bigger that I'm not seeing! And I have to continually remind myself of this!
   It's a daily struggle to lay down my own junk to seek His perfect ways that I would continue to see the bigger picture- simply that His ways are best and make absolutely no sense to our tiny human minds. Oh to trust and believe even when things don't make sense!
   
8. Point of Passion: Family.
   4: 9-12
   We see the beauty and the power of two. And in relation to marriage and family we see the benefit of not standing alone and having someone to lean on when you're weak. God created this union for this purpose. He created us to spur one another on to success, to not slink back and quit fighting the good fight. He gave us a companion to go to battle with and NOT be defeated. One is easily taken down, but two can encourage, uplift and guard the back of their partner- defending and fighting for each other til the very end. What an amazing gift! And within the confines of marriage, we often assoicate verse 12b, as a union between man, wife and the Holy Spirit. “Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” When two are joined with the Holy Spirit they're virtually invinsible.
   What an amazing portrait this is of basis of the family structure. A man and woman, joining together to take on bigger and better things with the accompaniment of the Holy Spirit, with whom all things are possible! When a solid foundation of partnership and love is built, when two battle together through thick and thin seeking the counsel of the Lord they begin to restore the broken structure of modern day families. Lord, would you restore the beauty of marriage! The selfless service we were created to give to one another- the battles we fight with each other and on each other's behalf. Not seeking our own interest, but the interest of the other and Your kingdom! Would you show men and women what the bond of marriage means, what you created it to stand for and how you want to be actively involved in the creation of unity and family! God, bring restoration to the families of the world!