the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Commentaries
F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary Meyer's Commentary
The Futility of Human Endeavors and Life.Chapter 2
The Pursuit of Pleasure and Wisdom's Vanity.Chapter 11
Encouragement to Enjoy Life and Invest Wisely.Chapter 12
The Conclusion: Fear God and Keep His Commandments.
- Ecclesiastes
by Frederick Brotherton Meyer
Outline of Ecclesiastes
The Vanity and Value of Life
I. The Prologue,Ecclesiastes 1:1-11; Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
II. The Testing of Life’s Experiences,Ecclesiastes 1:12-18; Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 ; Ecclesiastes 2:1-26 ; Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 ; Ecclesiastes 4:1-16 ; Ecclesiastes 5:1-20 ; Ecclesiastes 6:1-12 ; Ecclesiastes 7:1-29 ; Ecclesiastes 8:1-17 ; Ecclesiastes 9:1-18 ; Ecclesiastes 10:1-20 ; Ecclesiastes 11:1-10 ; Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
1. The Preacher’s Experience,Ecclesiastes 1:12-18; Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 ; Ecclesiastes 2:1-26
2. The Preacher’s Observation, Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 ; Ecclesiastes 4:1-8
3. The Preacher’s Counsel, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
4. The Preacher’s Commendation of Wisdom, Ecclesiastes 7:11-18
5. Proverbs-Life’s Closing Scenes, Ecclesiastes 10:1-20 ; Ecclesiastes 11:1-10 ; Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
III. The Epilogue,Ecclesiastes 12:8-13; Ecclesiastes 12:8-13
Introduction
The word “Ecclesiastes” is from the Greek, and means “Preacher.” The book is really a sermon, designed to teach the unsatisfying nature of worldly pleasures and attainments unless God rules the heart and life. The great lesson is “that man’s true wisdom lies in fearing God and looking forward to the judgment.”
The word “vanity,” which occurs thirty-eight times, is the keynote of the book. How true happiness may be attained is the problem the author endeavors to solve.
e-Sword Note: The following material was presented at the end of Ecclesiastes in the printed edition
Review Questions on Ecclesiastes
Outline
( a ) Into what three divisions does this book naturally fall?
( b ) How is the construction of the main division indicated?
Introduction
( c ) What does the name “Ecclesiastes” mean?
( d ) What is the keynote of the book?
Ecclesiastes 1-12
Each question applies to the paragraph of the corresponding number in the Comments .
1. Why do men fail in the search for happiness?
2. Why are material possessions unable to confer happiness?
3. What spiritual lessons may be learned from the life of the farmer?
4. What is the final teaching of the book?
