Ecclesiastes Observations and Conclusions
This content delves into the book of Ecclesiastes, exploring themes of meaninglessness, wisdom, and the pursuit of life's purpose as seen through the reflections of the Preacher. Observations on the futility of life are contrasted with the final conclusions drawn from the journey of exploration.
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Presentation Transcript
1 MIKE MAZZALONGO MIKE MAZZALONGO Introduction Introduction Ecc Ecc. 1:1 . 1:1- -18 18
Observations in Ecclesiastes Observations in Ecclesiastes He notes his own loss of enthusiasm for life. He records his feelings as he searches for meaning He sets forth final conclusions
Background: Background: Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes One who calls the Assembly The Preacher is Solomon Date: 925 BC Theme: Ch 1:2
And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind. - - Ecclesiastes 1:13 Ecclesiastes 1:13- -14 14
Conclusions: Conclusions: For a man without God, life, when examined, will be found useless.
Modern Ecclesiastes Modern Ecclesiastes Materialism Existentialism Positivism Post Modernism
Main Outline Main Outline 1. 1. Introducing the Journey Introducing the Journey 1:1-11
Main Outline Main Outline 2. 2. Pursing the Journey Pursing the Journey 1:12-6:9 1:12-18 Wisdom 2:1-11 Pleasure 2:12-17 Wisdom/Folly 2:18-3:22 Work 4:1-6:9 Wealth & Power
Main Outline Main Outline 1. Introducing the Journey 1:1-11 2. Pursuing the Journey 1:12-6:9 3. 3. Reflection & Summary Reflection & Summary 6:10-12:14
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, Vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What advantage does man have in all his work Which he does under the sun? - - Ecc Ecc. 1:1 . 1:1- -3 3
A generation goes and a generation comes, But the earth remains forever. - - Ecc Ecc. 1:4 . 1:4
Also, the sun rises and the sun sets; And hastening to its place it rises there again. Blowing toward the south, Then turning toward the north, The wind continues swirling along; And on its circular courses the wind returns. - - Ecc Ecc. 1:5 . 1:5- -6 6
All the rivers flow into the sea, Yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, There they flow again. All things are wearisome; Man is not able to tell it. - - Ecc Ecc. 1:7 . 1:7- -8a 8a
The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor is the ear filled with hearing. - - Ecc Ecc. 1:8b . 1:8b
That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one might say, See this, it is new ? Already it has existed for ages Which were before us. - - Ecc Ecc. 1:9 . 1:9- -10 10
There is no remembrance of earlier things; And also of the later things which will occur, There will be for them no remembrance Among those who will come later still. - - Ecc Ecc. 1:11 . 1:11
Examples of Futility Examples of Futility 1. Passing of Generations 2. Cycles of Nature 3. Curiosity of Man 4. 4. Absence of Newness Absence of Newness
For every universal, innate need of For every universal, innate need of man there is an available and man there is an available and corresponding satisfaction corresponding satisfaction FOR EXAMPLE: FOR EXAMPLE: Hunger Food Sex Sex Partner
Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists. A baby feels hunger: well, there is such a thing as food. A Ducking wants to swim: well, there is such a thing as water. Men feel sexual desire: well, there is such a thing as sex. If I find myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing. Interestingly enough, it was the desire to satisfy his longing for joy that eventually drove C.S. Lewis to Jesus Christ. Surprised By Joy C.S. Lewis
I, the Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. - - Ecc Ecc. 1:12 . 1:12- -13a 13a
It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. - - Ecc Ecc. 1:12 . 1:12- -13b 13b
What Solomon Learned What Solomon Learned 1. 1. All lifestyles are All lifestyles are meaningless meaningless I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind. - - Ecc Ecc. 1:14 . 1:14
What Solomon Learned What Solomon Learned 2. 2. Nothing can be Nothing can be changed changed What is crooked cannot be straightened and what is lacking cannot be counted. - - Ecc Ecc. 1:15 . 1:15
What Solomon Learned What Solomon Learned 3. 3. Knowledge is Knowledge is useless useless I said to myself, Behold, I have magnified and increased wisdom more than all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has observed a wealth of wisdom and knowledge. And I set my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I realized that this also is striving after wind. - - Ecc Ecc. 1:16 . 1:16- -17 17
What Solomon Learned What Solomon Learned 3. 3. Desire for Desire for knowledge knowledge brings brings pain pain Because in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain. - - Ecc Ecc. 1:18 . 1:18
MAIN LESSON MAIN LESSON Some things cannot now, or will ever be found here on earth.
