Ecclesiastes

Introduction 

The book of Eeart be cclesiastes consists of reflections on some of the deepest problems of life. The author describes himself as "Son of David, King in Jerusalem". Ecclesiastes is written from the view point of the world, and should not be construed as theological pronouncements. 

Sought Happiness but Couldn't Find it 

The king that is speaking in the first 2 chapters was seeking happiness but couldn't find it. 

-Sought for Wisdom

- Wealth

-Had houses and vineyards and orchards 2:4-5

-Bought servants and maids 2:7

-Gathered treasure 2:8

He could have anything he wanted but nothing made him happy. He realized it isn't the temporal things that matter, it is the spiritual part of our life that will help us to be happy.

Principles Learned 

Here are two main principles that I learned from chapter 5

Verse 1: When we go to the temple go prepared to listen to the spirit. We don't need to focus on all the other things we could be doing and what a sacrifice it was to come. Instead leave the world behind and be happy to be in Gods house.

Verse 2: Think before you talk. In the verse it says "Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart by hasty". This is a principle that I need to practice, sometimes the grumpy natural man comes out and I say things that I didn't mean, or hurt peoples feelings. If I take a second or two to think through what I am going to say it gives me a bit to calm down and reprocess something else to say. Or a better way to say it. 

Man's Purpose 

12:13-14 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgement with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

12:7 "Then shall the durst return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it" 

Respecting God and keeping His commandments is the whole duty of man when man dies our body returns to the ground and our spirit goes to Heaven. This is a good description of mans duty because God knows all of our secrets and all our acts. When judgement day comes we will be accountable for our works, so it is better to keep the commandments then to disobey them.