Lesson 10 – Seeking Happiness…Finding Misery – Part 5: Observations and Instructions Construct

Brian K. Davis

January 4, 2012

Seeking AnswersA Study in Ecclesiastes

EKG Readout

• The Book of Ecclesiastes has been studies in a number of ways; one effort looked at the book as a set of Observations and Instructions. Here is an outline of this approach:

Premise 1:1-11Observation (1:12-2:23)

Instruction (2:24-26)Observation (3:1-11)

Instruction (3:12-15)Observation (3:16-4:8)

Instruction (4:9-5:12)Observation (5:13-17)

Instruction (5:18-20)Observation (6:1-12)

Instruction (7:1-14)Observation (7:15)

Instruction (7:16-8:9)Observation (8:10-9:6)

Instruction (9:7-10)Observation (9:11-18)

Instruction (10:1-4)Observation (10:5-19)

Instruction (10:20-12:8)Conclusion (12:9-14)

Observations and Instructions

• Observation: Inequalities of Life (Ecclesiastes 3:16 – 4:8)a) Injustice (3:16-17)b) Unfairness of Death (3:18-22)c) Oppression (4:1-3)d) Selfishness (4:4-8)

• Instruction: Vain and Valuable Things (4:9 – 5:12)a) Value of Friends (4:9-12)b) Vanity of Popularity and Power (4:13-16)c) Value of Prudence Before God (5:1-7)d) Vanity of Oppression (5:8-12)

• Ecclesiastes Affirms that Death Comes to All Men. What does the author say about death in all of these passages?:

1. Ecclesiastes 2:14-162. Ecclesiastes 3:23. Ecclesiastes 3:19-204. Ecclesiastes 6:3-65. Ecclesiastes 7:1-46. Ecclesiastes 8:87. Ecclesiastes 9:2-68. Ecclesiastes 12:6-7

Inequalities of Life, but Death Comes to All

• “Two Chairs” - “What if” and “If Only” Statements

• Exercise: Take out your note cards – 2 ½ minutes

• They say a picture is worth a thousand words – here is my attempt to take you though the Book of Ecclesiastes in just over 3 minutes and 5,900 words - see if you can follow this based on your knowledge of this book!

Life IS a Journey…

Dear Landon,

Trust in the LORD and He will see you through it all. I love you with all my heart and miss you so much. Remember to be a man - I am sorry if I didn't teach what all of that means. But quickly it means putting others before yourself, it means respect for all mankind, it means providing for yourself and those you love… but most of all serve the LORD!

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