Ecclesiastes is one of the "Wisdom" of the Christian Old Testament. While the author endorses wisdom as a means for a well-lived life, he does not ascribe "eternal" understanding to that life. He suggests that human beings should appreciate life's simplest pleasures to include one's daily employ. And these are all gifts from God. He acknowledges that even wisdom has its limitations but assists humans in accepting the complexities of human condition and experience, with its frustrations and uncertainties. (wkpd))

Ecclesiastes 1
Please read, review and respond to the following:

v,  1
List  one-word meanings of the "Vanity of Life":__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

v.  9
What is your understanding of the phrase "...And there is nothing new under the sun. ...":________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

vv. 14,17, 26
Describe three (3) examples of the phrase "...grasping for the wind..." _______________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Ecclesiastes 2
Please read, review and respond to the following:

v.  3
Explain the use of the words "good for, best for, anything useful, worth doing" regarding wisdom.

vv. 4-11
Describe why selfishness leads to senselessness. ("I made my works great, I did some great things, I took on great projects" / "So I became great, I was the most famous, O how I prospered, I became far greater than
 all"):___________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_____

v. 18
Why then, so bitter?:______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
​________________​

Proverbs 30 repeats the sayings of one named Agur who describes himself as lacking the wisdom to learn about the Holy One, the Lord.

Please read Proverbs 30 in at least two (2) Bible versions to include the (NKJV).  
Please briefly respond, in your own words, here IN THE COMMENTS to the following verses:
v.  2

v.  5
Every word of God is pure.

v.  7
>Two things I request of You (deprive me not before I die):
  <
  <

vv. 11-14
>There is a generation...
  <v.  11
  <v.  12
  <v.  13
  <v.  14

vv. 15-17
>Four things never satisfied:
  <v.  15
  <v.  16
  <v.  17

vv. 18-19
>Four things too wonderful, which I do not understand:
  <v.  18
  <v.  19

vv.  21-23
>Four things perturb the earth that it cannot bear up:
  <v. 21
  <v. 22
  <v. 23
 
vv.  24-28
>Four things which are exceedingly wise:
  <v. 24
  <v. 25
  <v. 26
  <v. 27
  <v. 28

vv.  29-31
>Four things which are majestic in pace and stately in walk:
  <v. 29
  <v. 30
  <v. 31

 

Proverbs 31 provides utterances King Lemuel of Massa inspired by his mother.

Please read Proverbs 31 in at least two (2) Bible versions to include the (NKJV).
Please briefly respond, in your own words, here IN THE COMMENTS to the following verses:

vv.  8-9
>Open your mouth...
  <v.  8
  <v.  9

vv. 10ff. 
A "virtuous" woman and/or wife would be considered today (2021) a ph _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _al woman.
The list of characteristics in Proverbs 31 is ex _ _ _ _ _ _ _ve!

v.  30
- Charm is...
- Beauty is...
- But a woman...

Proverbs 29 tells us that keeping God's law makes for good sense especially when the people can see what 
                   God is doing,

(nkjv)

---Please select nine verses which address the role and responsibility of those who govern the people.
---Please note that these verses are applicable to governing today (2021) in our American democracy.

a)  Verse 2


b)


c)


d)


e)


f)


g)


h)


i)  Verse 26

Proverbs 28 reminds the righteous (faithful) that it makes smart sense never to abandon God's law. 

(nkjv)

Please respond, in your own words, to the following verses:

v.  1 
Guilt drives the wicked (unfaithful) to what?

v.  2
Who understands the matter of justice?

v.  9
How does God feel about those who ignore/neglect God's law?

v. 13
When does one obtain the mercy of God and spiritually prosper?

v.  14
What can make one happy in life?

v.  27
How does giving to the poor and vulnerable affect the giver?

v. 28
What happens to good and faithful people when corrupted people are silenced?



 

Proverbs 27 continues with further wise counsel.

(nkjv)

Please read and review and respond to the following verses:
<v.  1  Why?


<v.  2  Why?


<Explain the following, in your own words:
  >v.  4


  >v.  7


Respond:
<v.  10c (Better...)  Why?


Explain:
<v.  17


​<v.  22

Proverbs 26 tells us "don't be a fool". A fool demonstrates false and fake discernment, false and fake discretion, along with false and fake disclosure. No honor is due a fool.

(NKJV)

Explain the following, in your own words:

v.  1b


v.  4


v. 12


Choose one of these verses and explain:
vv. 13 - 14 - 15 -16


Explain the following, in your own words:

v. 17 (meddles in; take part in; butt into; gets involved; rushes into)


vv. 18-19


Explain v. 26 in light of vv. 24-25
​

Proverbs 25 provides more words of wisdom including the idea that "science works for God".

Review/Respond to the following:

v.  2  Why do you think God conceals some things?


v.  5  Why should wicked (evil) advisors be removed from around leaders?


v.  6  Practice humility to avoid being hu___________________________.


v.  9  Confront your neighbor in p _ _ _ _ _ e. Do not disclose the conversation in p _ _ _ _ c.


v. 21 When enemies (adversaries, haters) are h_ _ _ _ _ and t_ _ _ _ _ _...


v. 22 Really (v. 21) God? Why?


 v. 26 Define falters in context of this verse:

Proverbs 24 tells us not to be envious of evil people.

(nkjv)

Please review and respond to the following: 

v.  1  Read and answer why (v.  2)?


v. 11  Read and answer why (v. 12)?


v. 16  Seven times equals __ __ __ __ times!


v. 17  Read and answer why (v. 18)? 


v. 23  Read and answer why ( ? )?


v. 24  Read and answer why (v. 25)?


v. 28  Read and answer why (v. 28)


v. 29 Read and answer why (v. 29)

Proverbs 23 reveals that "Restraint has its Reward"!

(nkjv)

Review / Explain the following in the context of each individual verse:

v.  2
 "And put a knife to your throat",,,


v.  5
 "For riches certainly make themselves wings".


v.  8
"And waste your pleasant words".


v. 14
"You shall beat him with a rod".


v. 23
"Buy the truth, and do not sell it".


v. 30
"Those who linger long at the wine".


v. 32
​"At last it bites like a serpent...stings like a viper".