Peeler OTP Test 4
Contrast 5:18-20 with 6:1-6.
5:19 - man is able to eat 6:2 - not empowered to eat Both given riches and honor
What road does the writer travel on?
He's trying the road of pleasure
What do we mean by saying life is unsatisfying?
It can't fulfill our deepest needs
Why should we not say the former days are better than the present days?
they're the same days
What is the author's response to the fact that all will die?
"I hated life"
What is the significance of the words in 1:2 and 12:8?
"Vanity" - 1:2 uses it 6 times - 12:8 uses it 4 times
How does the writer sum up everything at 12:8?
"all is vanity"
Passages that show the "pessimism" of Ecclesiastes
- "I hated life" - "congratulated the dead who are already dead" - "blessed are the miscarriages" - "we all die"
Passages that show a more "optimistic" tone in the book
- "accepting life as God's gift" - "appreciating His blessings"
What are some verses in the book that deal with injustice in the world?
- 3:16-17 "in the place of righteousness there is wickedness" - 5:8-9
What image(s) is used to describe the decline of the body?
- an approaching storm - an estate in disuse
What is the purpose of the famous poem, which includes phrases like, "A time to give birth and a time to die?"
- life is full of contradictions - we're called to circumstances beyond our control
Name the purposes of the phrase "A generation goes and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever"
- life is repetitive/unsatisfying - there is nothing new under the sun
What two groups are better than the living?
- the dead - the unborn
What are some limitations to the value of material possessions?
1. Cannot satisfy 2. It only leads to the increase in workers 3. Full stomach of rich won't allow him to sleep 4. Riches can be hoarded 5. Riches can be lost
What are two suggestions made in class about the purpose of Ecclesiastes?
1. It shows us the emptiness of life without God 2. It shows how all creation has been subjected to futility
List practical benefits of companionship
1. Lifted up 2. Heat 3. Defense/protection
How many characters described in this?
2 or 3
What are a couple of ways to interpret 8:12-13 and 8:14?
8:12-13 God will give justice 8:14 there's injustice in world Explanation: 1. Commonly accepted wisdom 2. A statement of faith
What's wrong with the emphasis of the phrase "for myself" and it's search for pleasure?
A search for pleasure is inherently sinful (6 times English 8 times Hebrew)
What is the significance of the word "advantage"?
A term only used in Ecclesiastes
What are we to do if we overhear a servant cursing us?
Don't pay attention to it because we've done the same thing
What does Ecclesiastes 10 say about the tongue?
Don't talk about others
How often is the word "hebel" used in Ecclesiastes? OT?
Ecclesiastes--> 35 OT--> 32
How is the rising of the sun portrayed differently in Ecclesiastes compared to Psalms?
Ecclesiastes-->life is monotonous Psalm--> shows God's glory
What does it teach us about God? Ourselves?
God is great and in Heaven We are small and must watch ourselves
Who is to execute judgment against evil?
Government or God
How should the wise man act in the king's presence?
He's to keep the command of the king
Explain what is meant by speculative wisdom
Higher wisdom
What is the problem with following the desires of your eye in some places?
If you're not careful, God will bring judgment on you
What is meant by "striving after the wind?"
Impossible to hold on too
How does 9:7-10 show the author is not anti-woman?
It talks about enjoying life with the woman whom you love
What is the point of 9:18 and 10:1?
It's easier to destroy than it is to build up
How does Jesus answer the Ecclesiastes Messianic?
Messianic points to Jesus by asking questions that only Jesus can answer
What is the point of the proverb, "Folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places."?
Most capable people aren't always in the highest position
What do Ecclesiastes 7:16-17 suggest?
Neither of these ways of life will guarantee success (a wise life or foolish life)
Is the view that death is better than life always consistent in the book?
No because it's contrasted between the one with the pleasant life and the one with a bitter life
Is there anything new?
No, people are basically the same (no new issues)
What is the overall purpose of the section that speaks of an old, foolish, king and a poor, wise, lad?
Popularity is fleeting
What is the answer to saying that a king would not have criticized a king?
Prophets criticize prophets
Contrast between Proverbs and Ecclesiastes on the attainability of wisdom
Proverbs If you seek wisdom, you'll find it Ecclesiastes we'll never fully discover wisdom
Contrasts between the book of Proverbs and the book of Ecclesiastes
Proverbs - emphasizes answers - wisdom (it's value) - God will bring justice Ecclesiastes - emphasizes exceptions - wisdom (it's limitation) - cases of injustice
How does Ecclesiastes differ from Proverbs in its view of old age?
Proverbs--> respected and honored Ecclesiastes--> days of pain
When our body returns to the dust, what happens to our spirit?
Returns to God
Name the points that Ecclesiastes 9:13-18 makes about the strength and the fragility of wisdom
Strengths - delivered city - wisdom is better than strength - words of the wise are heard in quietness - wisdom is better than weapons Limitations - no one remembers - wisdom is despised/not heeded - one sinner destroys much good
Give arguments that author is Solomon
Talks about being the "son of David" but also talks about himself being king when Solomon was never king
How is the name Koheleth translated in various versions?
Teacher or preached
How do we explain 9:4? Hint: animals
That a living dog is better than a dead lion (dogs were considered unclean)
Who is Koheleth in the book of Ecclesiastes? Where is he mentioned?
The author 1:1
What ideas does the word indicate?
The emptiness of idols
What does it mean when the author says he exceeded in wisdom all who were before him?
The wording was sometimes used of a first king in a particular position
What do men and animals share in common?
They both die
What does it mean that the words of the wise are nails and goads?
They have a straight path
What is the purpose of the sections of the book that call on people to eat, drink, and enjoy life?
To accept/give thanks to God for the simple pleasures of life (aka God's gift)
How is the Hebrew term hebel translated in Ecclesiastes?
Vanity
What does vanity mean in 11:10?
Vanity = grief, anger, and pain/evil
What is the problem with leaving our wealth behind?
We may leave it to a fool
What response should we have to our inability to know God's work?
We should be encouraged to work harder
What does it mean that "He also set eternity in the heart"? And how do we want to learn from that?
We want to understand how it all fits in with God's purpose
"All a man's labor is for his mouth and yet the appetite is not satisfied." How does this fit with the overall thrust of the book?
We won't find lasting satisfaction in this world
What are reasons given in Ecclesiastes why wisdom does not answer every problem?
What is crooked cannot be straightened (wisdom cannot make things right)
How does 9:10 tell us to approach life?
Whatever we do, do diligently
Is God behind both good and bad events?
Yes (there are days with happiness and days with adversity, "now consider God has made the one as well as the other" 7:12)
What does 10:16-17 mean?
You want a ruler who knows what he's doing and doesn't engage in self-indulgence
What kind of power did a king have in the Ancient Near East?
absolute power
The day of one's _____________ is better than the day of one's birth
death
Are all people sinful?
duh
What does the writer give as the conclusion of the whole matter?
fear God and keep His commandments
What is the key word of Ecclesiastes 7?
good
Why is the author of the Ecclesiastes a good candidate to test whether or not wisdom can satisfy?
he had great opportunity to increase wisdom
Can we prove by this world that man has eternal life?
no
Do riches and honor guarantee the ability to enjoy these gifts?
no
Does Ecclesiastes 8:12-13 contradict 8:14?
no
Does the best team always win according to Ecclesiastes?
no
Does the day of death being better than the day of birth making the same point of Philippians 1:21?
no
Is laziness the answer to any problem?
no
Is the idea of God judging the world limited to the ending of Ecclesiastes?
no
Would Ecclesiastes say life is always fair?
no
What is often the motive for man's work and effort?
rivalry
What kind of person did we suggest this^ is talking about?
the adulterous woman
What do the wise man and fool have in common?
they all die
True or False. Ecclesiastes states that wisdom cannot be completely grasped and will not make us able to make sense of everything in the world.
true
What are the lessons in the phrase "Guard your steps as you go to the house of God...?"
watch our words and fear God
I find more bitter than death the ________________
woman
What is the point of the proverb in 10:9 which says, "He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them?"
work can be dangerous (work = danger)
Is fearing God mentioned in Ecclesiastes before the conclusion of the book?
yes
Is wisdom better than folly, according to Ecclesiastes?
yes
Is it foolish to leave what we have behind? Is it foolish to not have anyone to leave it too?
yes and yes
Remember also __________ __________ in the days of your youth
your Creator
