While all must accept the reality of death, it is better to go through life with wisdom than in folly. In part 2 of Ecclesiastes: Two Ways of Living, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Ecclesiastes 1:1-11.
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Study Notes
ECCLESIASTES: TWO WAYS OF LIVING
There are two ways of living: “under the sun” or in the fear of the Lord. Life under the sun is ultimately meaningless. Although human beings can accumulate many things, experience great pleasure, accomplish much, and achieve great wisdom, these are without profit and are ultimately pointless unless one has lived in reverence and obedience to God.
Wisdom Under the Sun
- The pursuit of wisdom is an unhappy business (Ecclesiastes 1:12-13)
- Answers to all life’s mysteries cannot be found (Ecclesiastes 1:14-15)
- Greater knowledge brings greater sorrow (Ecclesiastes 1:16-18)
- It is better to be wise, but both the wise and the foolish will die (Ecclesiastes 2:12-17)
- You cannot argue with God and win (Ecclesiastes 6:10-12)
- The reality of death should prompt us to live wisely (Ecclesiastes 7:1-6)
- Wisdom and money are advantageous, but nothing in life is certain (Ecclesiastes 7:11-14)
- Both legalistic righteousness and wickedness are to be rejected (Ecclesiastes 7:15-18)
- Wisdom cannot defeat human sinfulness (Ecclesiastes 7:19-22)
- Wisdom is ultimately elusive (Ecclesiastes 7:23-24)
- Immoral relationships lead to a bitter end (Ecclesiastes 7:25-26)
- Men and women will never truly understand one another (Ecclesiastes 7:27-28)
- Human beings are sinful rebels (Ecclesiastes 7:29)
Wisdom in the Fear of the Lord
- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
- There is joy in godly wisdom
- The follower of Christ will never truly die
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- God uses life’s pain to work for ultimate good in the life of the believer
- Christ is the light that shines in the darkness of life under the sun
Applying the Text
- Are you pursuing true wisdom in the fear of the Lord?
- Are you entrusting yourself to the Sovereign Lord through all life’s questions and pain?