In Ecc 10:1-15, Solomon elaborates on his wise understanding of folly. Folly in Reputation, v.1 Practically speaking, this is true.  The ointment of the apothecary can have a sweet smell, as in Ex 30:34-35.  But if a few flies die in the confection, the savor is going to stink with...

How to Live (A Study in Ecclesiastes)  Lesson #11: A Living Dog or a Dead Lion (Ecclesiastes 9:1-6)  The passage before us is an interesting passage. At first Solomon is comparing the righteous and the wicked saying that the same thing happens to them all. The event he is referring...

In Ecc 9:11-17, Solomon recorded some observations he had about time, chance, and wisdom.  These are profound nuggets of truth. Time and Chance Happeneth to Them All In Ecc 9:11, time and chance happeneth to all people.  That is, we can’t always attribute bad circumstances, that change the expected outcome...

The verses in Ecc 9:1-10 read like thoughts that occurred through a long period of observation and meditation upon life down here under the sun and God’s involvement in these things.  We call this lesson The Hand of God, Life, Joy, and Diligence. A declaration concerning three things (v.1-3): The...

Avoiding Anger (Ecclesiastes 7:9)  This lesson deals with the subject of anger. Everyone experiences anger the difference is how we handle anger. Even though most of the time anger does cause us to sin, anger itself is not sin. Note that God is angry with the wicked (Psalm 7:11), Jesus...

In Ecc 8:16-17, Solomon applied his heart to know wisdom and to see the business under the sun.  In the process, he thought he might find out the work of God under the sun. You can see some of the business he did in Ecc 2:3-10.  He made great works...

Laboring for the Wind (Ecclesiastes 5:10-16)  This lesson deals with the subject of riches and gives warnings to those that are pursuing after them. Paul gives us a similar warning in 1 Timothy 6:5-10. By using these two passage we will look at some of the dangers of riches and...

Study to be Quiet (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7)  The passage for this lesson deals with being rash with our mouth. Have you ever stopped and considered how many words that you say in one day or maybe even a week. I would imagine that most everyone would be surprised if they were...

This lesson contrasts those who fear before God, Ecc 8:12, with those who don’t fear before God, Ecc 8:13.  The way that ‘before’ is used in these verses means “under the jurisdiction of”. We are all under God’s jurisdiction.  That is, we are all subject to God’s judgment.  God is...

A wise man’s heart discerneth several things that we see in Ecc 8:5-11. A wise man’s heart discerneth Time and Judgment, Ecc 8:6-7 To every purpose there is time and judgment.  Solomon didn’t say to every “event”, but to every purpose.  What he’s saying here is not an exact match...