Ecclesiastes

What four ideas summarize the argument of Ecclesiastes?

1. Those who seek meaning in life from the activities in life will be frustrated. 2. Only God gives life meaning, so we must pursue Him to find meaning. 3. Only then does wisdom find meaning, not in and of itself, but connected to God's plan. 4. Life's joy is found in contentment, despite confusing questions that have no answers in human wisdom.

What does the Hebrew word hebel mean? What three pursuits in life are seen as hebel in Ecclesiastes 1.2?

Hebel: without substance, value, or permanence. -Not from wisdom. -Not from pleasure. -Not from human labor.

What Hebrew term is used for the author of Ecclesiastes? What does it mean?

Qohelet—teacher or preacher

Is Ecclesiastes written by the author in sin? Explain.

Some have concluded that the negative, pessimistic tone of Ecclesiastes (Q) indicates that the book was written by someone in sin. Such a conclusion would fit Solomon late in life after his heart had been turned to the idols. Such a line of interpretation is dangerous, to propose that the Bible is teaching or affirming sin without explicitly saying that it is doing so. There is unity of purpose and message in Q without resorting to such a theory.

What bottom line advice does Solomon offer in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes?

The bottom line? Live life skillfully to make it better (Proverbs), but look to God, not wisdom or wise living, for the meaning of life (Qohelet).

What is the purpose of Ecclesiastes?

To prove that the pursuit of wisdom is incapable of finding the meaning of life without God.

What is the main question of Ecclesiastes, and how is it answered in the book in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14?

Where does life's meaning come from? "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil."

How does wisdom help to answer the main question of Ecclesiastes? How does the analogy about wisdom from Exodus help us understand wisdom's limits in Ecclesiastes?

Wisdom answers the "how to" for living life well. "Follow wise counsel to live life skillfully." The analogy of wisdom from Exodus. Skilled workers with hokmah can make beautiful items for the tabernacle, but the skilled craftsmen cannot give the tabernacle objects their meaning.