Man in search of Meaning in lifeMan in search of Meaning in life

MAKING SENSE OF THE BOOK OF MAKING SENSE OF THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTESECCLESIASTES

Through a viable interpretive strategyThrough a viable interpretive strategy

SCBC Adult Sunday school Class – Session ThreeSCBC Adult Sunday school Class – Session ThreeKenneth LauKenneth LauMarch 3, 2013March 3, 2013

Session OverviewSession Overview

•ObjectivesObjectives

•Reading the text in accordance with Reading the text in accordance with the adopted interpretive strategythe adopted interpretive strategy

Recap of the first division Recap of the first division Chapters 1:1 - 4:8Chapters 1:1 - 4:8

• Observation of the cyclical phenomena (1:4-7)Observation of the cyclical phenomena (1:4-7)

• Opening conclusion 1:2Opening conclusion 1:2

• Personal observation and feelingPersonal observation and feeling

• Wearisome 1:8Wearisome 1:8

• Not able to tell 1:8Not able to tell 1:8

• Not satisfied 1:8Not satisfied 1:8

• Nothing new 1:9Nothing new 1:9

• No remembrance 1:11No remembrance 1:11

• The big questionThe big question

• What is the advantage ?(1:3) Referring toWhat is the advantage ?(1:3) Referring to What?What?

• The ContextThe Context

• Under the sun (1:3)...What otherUnder the sun (1:3)...What other similar termssimilar terms in the text?in the text?

RecapRecap

• ApproachApproach• Set my mind - to seek and explore, to know (1:Set my mind - to seek and explore, to know (1:1313, 17), 17)

• From seeing, observing >>>, realization >>> to self talk (1:14, From seeing, observing >>>, realization >>> to self talk (1:14, 16-1716-17), experience ), experience 2:32:3

• Vanity = futility = Vanity = futility = hebelhebel (Rom 8:20)(Rom 8:20)

• The investigationThe investigation

• Wisdom (1:12-18; 2:12-17)Wisdom (1:12-18; 2:12-17)

• role, impact, benefits and the message? role, impact, benefits and the message?

• Pleasure, works and Possessions (2:1-11) c.f. Pleasure, works and Possessions (2:1-11) c.f. 1 Jn 2:161 Jn 2:16

• No profit? 2:11No profit? 2:11

• Labour - toil - work (2:Labour - toil - work (2:1818 - 23) - 23)

• What was Qoheleth’s What was Qoheleth’s assessment and whyassessment and why? what is the ? what is the relevancy in today’s context?relevancy in today’s context?

RecapRecap

• First realization from a heavenly perspectiveFirst realization from a heavenly perspective (2: (2:24-2624-26; 3:; 3:1313))

• Better vs. good..Hands of God, gift...given vs. may giveBetter vs. good..Hands of God, gift...given vs. may give

• What profit?What profit?

• Appointed Appointed Time for everything (3:1-8)Time for everything (3:1-8)

• Nothing better...(3;12)Nothing better...(3;12)

• The enigma of God (2:11, 13-14)The enigma of God (2:11, 13-14)

• The final leveler (3:19-20)The final leveler (3:19-20)

• The rhetorical question (3:21) - Against a Judaism belief?The rhetorical question (3:21) - Against a Judaism belief?

• The harshness of lifeThe harshness of life

• Oppressions - alternatives (4:1-3)Oppressions - alternatives (4:1-3)

• The sobering questions about our labour and toil (4:4-8) The sobering questions about our labour and toil (4:4-8) How How do you handle all these in your life? cf. 2:17-18do you handle all these in your life? cf. 2:17-18

The second and Third Divisions The second and Third Divisions Chapters - 4:9 - 9:18Chapters - 4:9 - 9:18

•Using the model developed for the first Using the model developed for the first division as a guide, division as a guide,

•Identify the issues covered within this Identify the issues covered within this section?section?

•Follow Qoheleth’s line of self-engaging Follow Qoheleth’s line of self-engaging search and reflection?search and reflection?

•Write down your own set of questions for Write down your own set of questions for Qoheleth Qoheleth

•Be prepared to share with your smaller Be prepared to share with your smaller groupgroup

The Search and Reflection keep going...• Examples of practical wisdom and realities of living

(4:9-16, 5:8-9)

• Bring God into the picture again

• Listen>sacrifice 5:1 cf. Psalm 40:6, 51:16; Hosea 6:6

• words and vows 5:2, 4-7

• Realities with riches

• insatiable, impact, risk, truth (5:10, 12, 15-16)

• God given reward for our labour (5:19)

• Bring gladness...within the few years of life... God gives (5:18)

• Enjoyment of riches may be withheld and the earthly equivalent(6:2, 3-7)

• What is better or even good for the few fleeting years? cf. 3:12-13, 5:19

• Wearing a different hat .... building up the argument ...

• A dissertation of wisdom sayings (7:1-14)

• Be happy...God made them All... 7:14

• Wisdom is good...but have not found it...7:28

• We have all got that wrong with our clever schemes 7:29

• Qoheleth gradually unmask himself........?

• Listen>sacrifice 5:1

• words and vows 5:2, 4-7

• Realities with riches

• insatiable, impact, risk, truth (5:10, 12, 15-16)

• God given reward for our labour (5:19)

• Bring gladness...within the few years of life... God gives (5:18)

• More advice for sensible living (8:1-9)

• Regardless of the iniquities and the apparent injustice in life, God reigns and retribution will come (8:10 - 14), therefore

• Eat and drink and be merry (8:15,) because

• I saw... every work of God... cannot discover the work under the sun (8:17)

• Man does not know what awaits him (9:1, 12)

• one fate for all men (9:3)

• Enjoy life....this is your reward in life and for your toil under the sun (9:9)

• Attitude towards work - whatever your hand finds...do it with all your might (9:10)

Food for Thought

•Have you caught on with Qoheleth?

• His purpose of writing

• His outward search

• His reflection and self talk

• His realization and advice

•Read on and keep unpacking the text ...