Ecclesiastes 8:1–8:17 The person who has been changed by wisdom can at least grasp the problems of society
and how to deal with them. The first
question in this chapter is how should we relate to authority?Obedience (vv. 2-8) - There is
no way a Christian can argue a biblical
case for civil disobedien … Read more
Ecclesiastes 7:1–7:14 The theme of this passage is getting our priorities sorted out correctly. Once we have
objectives we want to accomplish we
must identify the priorities for reaching them.There are five basic contrasts relating to
priorities in the first fourteen verses of this
c … Read more
Ecclesiastes 6:1–6:12 The book of Ecclesiastes is not a study in defeatism but rather realism. It causes us to put
our minds right up front and let God
show the world as it really is. The first part of this chapter emphasizes the fact that people
in their natural state are not able to
enjoy the … Read more
Ecclesiastes 5:8–5:20 Solomon directs us to eye God as our judge (v. 8), Shows the vanity of riches (vv. 9-17), and
recommends the cheerful use of
what God has given us (vv 18-20). Not only should we never underestimate God but we
should be careful not to overestimate
man. Any philos … Read more
Ecclesiastes 5:1–5:7 The last phrase of verse 7 gives us a key to this section - “stand in awe of God.” Never
under any circumstances, in any situation,
underestimate the God of Creation. Solomon expresses what our attitudes should be
when we approach God in acts of
worship.The … Read more
Ecclesiastes 4:1–4:16 No one can comfort those who suffer (vv. 1-3). Some people are lazy while others are
workaholics. The lazy person sees no purpose in dashing around trying to be successful so
folds his hands and does nothing. On the other hand, the workaholic is often motivated by
inappropriate i … Read more
Ecclesiastes 4:1–4:16 No one can comfort those who suffer (vv. 1-3). Some people are lazy while others are
workaholics. The lazy person sees no purpose in dashing around trying to be successful so
folds his hands and does nothing. On the other hand, the workaholic is often motivated by
inappropriate i … Read more
Ecclesiastes 3:9–3:22 Everything that God makes or that happens is the gift of God (vv. 9-13). In a world
controlled by God and not by man there is
nothing better for us to do than to enjoy the things that are present and leave the future
to God. This concept is the key to real
happiness in our … Read more
Ecclesiastes 2:12–2:26 This passage reveals a deeper investigation into the relative values of wisdom and folly.
Solomon has found out from experience
that wisdom and pleasure does not have the answer. Now he reasons that maybe if I just
put my nose to the grindstone and
really stay on the job I … Read more
Ecclesiastes 2:12–2:26 This passage reveals a deeper investigation into the relative values of wisdom and folly.
Solomon has found out from experience
that wisdom and pleasure does not have the answer. Now he reasons that maybe if I just
put my nose to the grindstone and
really stay on the job I … Read more
Ecclesiastes 2:1–2:11 Solomon searched for life’s meaning as you would an experiment. He first tried pursuing
pleasure
(vv. 1-3). He undertook great
projects, bought slaves and herds and flocks (vv. 4-7). Then he amassed great wealth,
acquired
singers and added many women
to his harem (v. 8).&nb … Read more
Ecclesiastes 1:12–1:18 Beginning with the twelfth verse of this chapter the writer moves away from the abstract
ideas to some concrete examples. He
explains how absolutely futile it is when life asks us to straighten something that is
crooked or to count something that is not
there (v. l5).Solomon high … Read more
Ecclesiastes 1:1–1:11 Kenneth Gangel in his book Thus Spoke Oskeleth (professor) says that the writer of
Ecclesiastes in this first chapter is saying,
“Stop the world-I want to get off!” He begins by pointing out the vanity of man’s existence
in this world without God. In fact,
vanity is on … Read more
I Kings 22:30–22:53 Jehosaphat and Ahab went up to Ramoth-gilead to face Ben-hadad II, King of Aram. Ahab devised
a plan to go into battle disguised as a regular soldier (v. 30). Jehosaphat did not realize that this
tactic would put him in greater danger. Ben-hadad wanted to kill Ahab because he k … Read more
Recent commentaries
Keep The Kings Command
Ecclesiastes 8:1–8:17
The person who has been changed by wisdom can at least grasp the problems of society and how to deal with them. The first question in this chapter is how should we relate to authority?Obedience (vv. 2-8) - There is no way a Christian can argue a biblical case for civil disobedien … Read more
The Contrast of Wisdom And Folly
Ecclesiastes 7:1–7:14
The theme of this passage is getting our priorities sorted out correctly. Once we have objectives we want to accomplish we must identify the priorities for reaching them.There are five basic contrasts relating to priorities in the first fourteen verses of this c … Read more
Enjoyment of Life is a Gift from God
Ecclesiastes 6:1–6:12
The book of Ecclesiastes is not a study in defeatism but rather realism. It causes us to put our minds right up front and let God show the world as it really is. The first part of this chapter emphasizes the fact that people in their natural state are not able to enjoy the … Read more
God Alone Gives Contentment
Ecclesiastes 5:8–5:20
Solomon directs us to eye God as our judge (v. 8), Shows the vanity of riches (vv. 9-17), and recommends the cheerful use of what God has given us (vv 18-20). Not only should we never underestimate God but we should be careful not to overestimate man. Any philos … Read more
Keep Your Vows
Ecclesiastes 5:1–5:7
The last phrase of verse 7 gives us a key to this section - “stand in awe of God.” Never under any circumstances, in any situation, underestimate the God of Creation. Solomon expresses what our attitudes should be when we approach God in acts of worship.The … Read more
The Evils of Oppression
Ecclesiastes 4:1–4:16
No one can comfort those who suffer (vv. 1-3). Some people are lazy while others are workaholics. The lazy person sees no purpose in dashing around trying to be successful so folds his hands and does nothing. On the other hand, the workaholic is often motivated by inappropriate i … Read more
The Evils of Oppression
Ecclesiastes 4:1–4:16
No one can comfort those who suffer (vv. 1-3). Some people are lazy while others are workaholics. The lazy person sees no purpose in dashing around trying to be successful so folds his hands and does nothing. On the other hand, the workaholic is often motivated by inappropriate i … Read more
From Dust to Dust
Ecclesiastes 3:9–3:22
Everything that God makes or that happens is the gift of God (vv. 9-13). In a world controlled by God and not by man there is nothing better for us to do than to enjoy the things that are present and leave the future to God. This concept is the key to real happiness in our … Read more
Wisdom Makes Sense
Ecclesiastes 2:12–2:26
This passage reveals a deeper investigation into the relative values of wisdom and folly. Solomon has found out from experience that wisdom and pleasure does not have the answer. Now he reasons that maybe if I just put my nose to the grindstone and really stay on the job I … Read more
Wisdom Makes Sense
Ecclesiastes 2:12–2:26
This passage reveals a deeper investigation into the relative values of wisdom and folly. Solomon has found out from experience that wisdom and pleasure does not have the answer. Now he reasons that maybe if I just put my nose to the grindstone and really stay on the job I … Read more
The Meaning of Pleasure
Ecclesiastes 2:1–2:11
Solomon searched for life’s meaning as you would an experiment. He first tried pursuing pleasure (vv. 1-3). He undertook great projects, bought slaves and herds and flocks (vv. 4-7). Then he amassed great wealth, acquired singers and added many women to his harem (v. 8).&nb … Read more
The Grief of Wisdom
Ecclesiastes 1:12–1:18
Beginning with the twelfth verse of this chapter the writer moves away from the abstract ideas to some concrete examples. He explains how absolutely futile it is when life asks us to straighten something that is crooked or to count something that is not there (v. l5).Solomon high … Read more
The Vanity of Life
Ecclesiastes 1:1–1:11
Kenneth Gangel in his book Thus Spoke Oskeleth (professor) says that the writer of Ecclesiastes in this first chapter is saying, “Stop the world-I want to get off!” He begins by pointing out the vanity of man’s existence in this world without God. In fact, vanity is on … Read more
The New Rulers
I Kings 22:30–22:53
Jehosaphat and Ahab went up to Ramoth-gilead to face Ben-hadad II, King of Aram. Ahab devised a plan to go into battle disguised as a regular soldier (v. 30). Jehosaphat did not realize that this tactic would put him in greater danger. Ben-hadad wanted to kill Ahab because he k … Read more