Episodes
Monday Jun 20, 2016
Chasing the Wind: Oppression & Friendship. Ecc: 4
Monday Jun 20, 2016
Monday Jun 20, 2016
Chasing the Wind: Oppression & Friendship
Ecclesiastes 4
Oppression (v. 1-3)
· Solomon reflects on the oppression he has witnessed in the world
o Seeing the system as rigged against the poor by those with power
§ Little has changed in 3000 years
· This reality makes him ponder the value of life
o Using hyperbolic language (see Job 3; Jer 20:14–18)
o Though earlier he finds hope in God’s ultimate justice (3:15c-17)
Wealth (v. 4-8)
· Solomon reflects on how chasing wealth fails to bring satisfaction
o Especially when it is based in envy and covetousness
· He then reflects on the two hazards of laziness and over-work
o The lazy person produces nothing
§ And thus “consumes himself”
o He who has too much stresses over what he owns
§ And thus his possessions own him
· He also reflects on working so hard and having no one to share it with
o Thus prioritizing wealth and work over people
Friendship (v. 9-12)
· Reflecting on sharing life with (v. 7-8), leads to a reflection on friendship (v. 9-12)
· Friends can make life better, including:
o Work (v. 9)
o Struggles (v. 10)
o Comfort (v. 11)
§ A traveling or war image
o Protection (v. 12)
§ Especially when there are three
· Two friends + God
Position (v. 13-16)
· Even as king, Solomon realizes the vanity of his position
· It is better to be in a position of weakness and be teachable
o Than to be in a position of strength but being inflexible
· And someday the king will be replaced by someone younger
o Position is fleeting
So What?
· Since there are so many aspects to life that do not satisfied
o We need to focus on what endures
o Like God-centered friendships
Meditation Verse: Ecclesiastes 4:12
Monday Jun 13, 2016
Chasing the Wind: A Time for Everything. Ecclesiastes 3
Monday Jun 13, 2016
Monday Jun 13, 2016
Chasing the Wind: A Time for Everything
Ecclesiastes 3
On Time (v. 1-8)
· Solomon reflects on the ever-changing aspects of life
· Human life is ruled by time
o Always moving forward
o Bringing both good and bad
· We are not able to fully experience eternity yet
Conclusion about Time (v. 9-14)
· Our entrapment in time is a reminder of our mortality (v.9)
· Our fruit of our labor will not last (v. 10)
· But God makes everything work out for its appropriate season of life (v. 11a)
o He is the Lord of time
o And has made us long for a timeless reality with Him (v. 11b)
· These truths lead to the conclusion that we should learn to enjoy the life that God has given us
o Even though this life is transitory
§ That means so is pleasure
§ And so is pain
· Only God is eternal
o And what He does will be the only things that last
o Which leads to reverence* for God
On Justice (v. 15-17)
· Solomon turns his attention to justice and its lack in the world
o V. 15 may have the idea of God seeking the persecuted
· Justice is not done in this world
o But God will assure that it will be done to and for all in eternity
On Death (v. 18-21)
· Solomon reflects on the mortality of all
o Both men and beasts
· Reminder: God has not clearly revealed the idea of resurrection at this time in redemptive history
o Yet there are hints even in Solomon’s own assurance of eternal justice
Solomon’s Conclusion (v. 22)
· If life is fleeting
o We should enjoy the work set before us
· Yet, Solomon’s perspective is limited
o He asks who can know what comes after
§ Questioning if there is life after death
So What?
· Without the hope of resurrection
o Aspects of this life can seem empty
· But with the perspective that there is more than this life
o All of this life can have meaning
o When our life is lived for God
· Are we living for God?
Meditation Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:17
Monday Jun 06, 2016
Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26 Chasing the Wind, Solomon's Experience
Monday Jun 06, 2016
Monday Jun 06, 2016
Chasing the Wind: Solomon's Experience
Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26
The Irony of Wisdom (1:12-18)
• Solomon states that he pursued wisdom
– A task given to all humanity by God
• But he found the job to be a grievous
– Unlike the ancient philosophers who stated that seeking wisdom was the highest calling
• The more wisdom he had, the less meaningful life was seen to be
– Wisdom brings knowledge of problems
– But, also the knowledge that many problems cannot be solved
• Therefore wisdom actually produced vexation for Solomon
Solomon’s Pursuits (v. 2:1-11)
• He chased pleasure (v. 1-3)
• He toiled to build great estates and wealth (v. 4-10)
• And he found temporary enjoyment in these things
• But they did not truly fulfill him (v. 11)
Solomon’s Wisdom (2:12-17)
• So he turned his attention to gaining wisdom
– And found that it was better than folly
• Folly: Human behavior apart from God
• Wisdom seeks truth/light
– And thus seeks God
– But also finds the truth that the fate of the wise is the same as the foolish: Death!
Solomon’s Legacy (2:18-26)
• He realized that all his hard work would be left to others after his death
- And they may not act so wisely with it
• So he concluded that enjoying the fruit of one’s labor is wisdom (v. 24-25)
- A true gift from God
• Thus, pleasing God is what produces lasting joy (v. 26)
So What?
• Are we seeking fulfillment in our relationship with God?
• Or are we, like Solomon did for a time, seeking it in pleasure or toiling for wealth that will not last?
Meditation Verse: Ecc. 2:26