Ecclesiastes Series
Study 1: Solomon’s Quest
- Have you ever been in a circumstance wherein you faced a new challenge- perhaps in a new work or volunteer role- but lacked the wisdom to manage it? OR Have you ever faced a difficult personal decision, needed to keep in mind a number of interests, but lacked wisdom to do so?
Discuss how you felt in the midst of these challenges.
- Godly wisdom may be defined as insight about the application of godly virtues (eg. justice, faith, humility) to complex real world situations. King Solomon sought such wisdom for the challenges of his leadership. Read 1 Kings 3.1-15.
What stands out to you about Solomon’s request, and God’s response?
- A technical skill might be knowing how to change oil in your car, knit a pair of socks, or kick a drop punt in footy.
How is godly wisdom different to technical skill? Which is more valuable and why? Which is harder to acquire, and why?
4. Ecclesiastes is an extended reflection on the value of godly wisdom, over against folly. It is a natural pair with the book of Proverbs, the message of the two books complementing one another beautifully. Proverbs emphasises the patterns in life. Live with wisdom, live with the fear of God, and our lives well generally be more whole, stable, satisfying. Live without wisdom (like a fool) and there will often be real world consequences for it. Proverbs chapter 2 makes this point powerfully.
Ecclesiastes, however, highlights the exceptions to the pattern. There is no automatic result, automatic blessing, created by wise living. If we are virtuous, we won’t always be blessed in the ways we want, in this life. Sometimes those who fear God do suffer. God made and rules the world and will not allow himself to be forced to bless us in the precise ways we want.
Ecclesiastes often uses the Hebrew word ‘hebel’ to convey this sense that outcomes are out of our control. Hebel may be translated as vanity, futility, or breath (see Ecclesiastes 1.2, 12.8). The translation that fits more with the message of Ecclesiastes, is the literal translation ‘breath’.
So we could read Ecclesiastes 1.2 as follows (guided by commentator Iain Provan):
‘‘The merest of breaths’ says the teacher, ‘the merest of breaths. Everything is a breath’’.
Breath is transient. Exhale and your puff of breath quickly disperses, you can’t hold it in your hands. So our lives are transient, meaning may be hard to grasp, we cannot control outcomes. Iain Provan in his NIV Application Commentary offers this interpretation. But despite the unknowns, despite all we cannot control, everything is NOT meaningless. For there is a creator who gives us good gifts, to whom we must relate (eg. Ecclesiastes 2.24-26).
Review Ecclesiastes 2.1-9. Solomon describes three experiments he undertakes to develop a deeper understanding of wisdom. What experiments does Solomon undertake to develop wisdom? In what ways were his experiments in line with God’s commands? In what ways did he disregard God’s commands?
5. We may translate Ecclesiastes 2.11 as follows:
‘Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was breath, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.’
As breath or vapour slips through our fingers, so drinking too much gives us no lasting joy. As we can’t control breath or vapour, we can’t control the future of our wealth or life’s achievements. Misusing power does not permanently satisfy.
What then is a wise attitude towards food and drink, work, and power over others? Read Ecclesiastes 2.22-26 and discuss Solomon’s conclusions.
6. Discuss one or more of the following.
How does the coming of Christ give the Christian disciple:
(I) more reason to thank God for his gifts?
(II) new power and guidance for our daily work?
(III) new model of submission to God and use of power over others?
Use New Testament references to help you reflect.
7. Spend some time in prayer for wisdom where you feel you need it in your life.