Study the Bible in Two Years – 5/13/11

Friday, May 13 – Ecclesiastes 11-12

1.   11:9 can be easily misunderstood.  What does Solomon NOT mean?   In the light of the end of the verse, what does he REALLY mean?   So what is Solomon’s conclusion about the strong, the young, the glamorous?  Ponder 11:10.

 

2.  Carefully read 12:1-8   In exquisite poetry, Solomon describes the aging process. What does each phrase in verses 2-6 mean? BEFORE that happens, what are we to do?   See 12:1.   What is our final destiny?  See 12:7.   How can you be sure?

 

3.  Here’s the conclusion of the whole study, 12:13,14.   The word “duty” is not in the original.  Solomon is saying:  Here’s the all, the whole point.  What is it?   The Lord knows every hidden thing.  Solomon doesn’t say, but you have this wisdom: why don’t we have to fear God’s judgment?

Study the Bible in Two Years – 5/11/11

Wednesday, May 11 – Ecclesiastes 7-8

1.  Ponder 7:1-4   Why is:  “the day of death better than the day of birth”?  Why is “the house of mourning better than the house of feasting”?  Why is “sorrow better than laughter”?

 2.  How does Solomon feel about looking back at the “good old days?”  See 7:10.

3.  What does 8:11 say about our court system today?  Yet even if the wicked get away with it, what advantage does a God-fearing man have?  See 8:12-13.

Study the Bible in Two Years – 5/10/11

Tuesday, May 10 – Ecclesiastes 5-6

1.  5:1-7 is about our worship. A “sacrifice of fools” (5:2) is too much ___________ and too many __________ (5:7) and no real _______________(5:2).  Instead, what are we to do in the house of God?  (5:7).

2.  What will the love of money to do you?  See 5:10-12.  Recall what Paul said about the love of money, 1 Timothy 6:10.   When it comes to our money and possessions, what do we need to remember?  See 5:15.

3.  Note at the beginning of chapter 6, that Solomon’s perspective here is from someone “under the sun,” without God.  From this perspective, what conclusions does he come up with that you would disagree with?   See 6:6, 8, 12.  Without the Lord, what is Solomon’s perspective on life?

Study the Bible in Two Years – 5/9/11

Monday, May 9 – Ecclesiastes 3-4

1.  Chapter 3 is about our time and our time management!  There is a time for everything!

Note that there are 7 verses (a week’s worth), each with 4 phrases.  How many days are there in the Jewish lunar month?  We have a month of phrases about time!  What does this chapter do for your attitude and thinking about the time God has given you? 

2.  In 3:18-21, it sounds like Solomon is a modern evolutionist!   We are like the animals in what ways?  But remember that he is talking about men “under the sun.”   This is their perspective without faith and without God.  God is testing men right in our time with these thoughts!  Solomon‘s question in 3:21 receives an answer in 12:7.

 

3.  Chapter 4 is about the world of work.   What is one earthly motivation to get ahead in life, according to 4:4?  What motivates Christians?    What principle does the Lord teach us in 4:6?

Study the Bible in Two Years – 5/12/11

Thursday, May 12 – Ecclesiastes 9-10

1. Note 9:1-4    What is the common destiny of mankind “under the sun?”  Yet even without God, under the sun, people should understand this:   “Better a live dog than a dead lion.”    What does that say about quality of life issues?

 

2.  For people “under the sun” and without God, they too can enjoy what?  See 9:7-10.  That is the only enjoyment that they may find.   But what do we have “under God,” in Christ? 

3.  Chapter 10 is a series of individual proverbs.  How do we know that Solomon is writing cynically in 10:19?   Compare that to what he says about money in 5:10,11.

Study the Bible in Two Years – 5/7/11

Saturday,  May 7 – Ecclesiastes 1-2

1.   Solomon was an old man.  He had almost lost his faith. The fact that he wrote this book shows us that he woke up and repented before he died.  A person can be so wise, and yet so stupid!   What did he find out about what life is like apart from the Lord?   See 1:2 and 14.

2.  It is important to know a special phrase that Solomon uses frequently. He talks about life “under the sun.”  This means life without God and without faith in God.  An unbeliever lives “under the sun.”  A believer lives “under God.”  Note how that helps you understand 1:7,9,14. How is 1:14 not true for a Christian, who is “under God”?

3.  Solomon tried to find meaning in life in what areas?  Note the major categories as you read 2:1-23.  In what did he finally find some satisfaction?  See 2:24,25.   What is the secret to true happiness in life?   The answer is in 2:25,26!!