Ecclesiastes 9 puts forth the idea that human experience can be both good and bad for every human.

v.  1
The works of the ____________________ are in God's hand.

vv.  2-3
Why does the notion that all of life leads to death seem unfair?
 


v.  10
Why work hard in this life?


vv. 15-16
What happens with the wisdom (discretion) of the poor in this life? 


v.  18
What can one sinner do in this life?


>Should we desire wisdom in this life? Why or why not?

Ecclesiastes 8 states that there is much in this world that even the wise cannot comprehend.  

v.  1
What can the practical use of sound wisdom do for am individual?


vv. 2-3-4-5
What does v. 2 seem to assume about the character of a "king" (leader)?


v.  8
The spirit = w__________ d = _________________________________.


v.  9
Humans, especially "rulers" tend to ________________________________________________.


vv. 10-11
How do the wicked (unfaithful) appear to fare in this world?


vv. 12-13
How do the faithful fare in life?


v.  15
What does God give humans?


vv. 16-17
Even the wise cannot figure what God _______________________________________________. 


Additional:
What verses speak to our political people of these contemporary times?

Ecclesiastes 7 emphasizes the value of wisdom and the practice of common sense in human thought process. Wisdom before wealth is better!

Please read, review and respond to the following:

v.  3
Why is mourning better for the heart?

v.  5 
How should one feel about the correction of the wise?

v.  7
Vanity = emp _________________________ ness (pointless, meaningless, senseless).

v.  8
Why is it better to be patient better than to be proud?

v.  10
What is unwise, and why?

v.  12
What good is wisdom and wealth?

v.  14
Compare prosperity and adversity regarding our relationship to God.

v.  15
Whose life may perish and whose life may be prolonged, and why?

v.  18
What does one who fears (respects) God attempt?

v.  19 
How is practicing wisdom (discernment, discretion, discussion, discourse, discovery) beneficial?

v.  21
The conversation of others might just be about whom?

v.  25
Why search for wisdom?

v.  29 
What happened to God's original creation?

Ecclesiastes 6 continues to address human goals in life.

Read, review and respond to the following:

1)   Who is speaking in chapter 6?


2)   What is his mood?


3)   Why is he feeling this way?


4)   Where is his mindset?


​5)   When is his mood and mindset likely to change?

Ecclesiastes 5 instructs us to listen more, talk less; pay what you pledge respecting God. And also identifies two (2) elements of evil tragedy.

(NKJV)

Read, review and respond to the following:

v.  1
Why "draw near to hear...."?


v.  2
Why "let your words be few"?


v.  4
Why "pay what you vowed"?


v.  9
Why is "the profit of the land...for all..."?


v.  13, 16
Describe two (2) elements of "severe evil".


v.  18, 19
What is "good and fitting"? (Two (2) responses) ​


​

Ecclesiastes 4 speaks to humanity's inhumanity in general and the oppression of the those in power of the poor, in particular.

Please read, review and respond to the following.

vv.  1-3
>Too often those who are oppressed are rendered no c______________.


>The author here seems to feel that it is better to never have been b____________.


vv.  4-6
>What are two aspects of "grasping for the wind" found in these verses.
 <

 <

v.  8
>What is a "grave misfortune"?


vv.  9-12
>Why are two together better than one alone?



vv.  13-16
>Why is it better to have been poor and wise as a youth?
 


​

The author of Ecclesiastes speaks about the circular cycle of human life. Times and seasons may run long or short as well as often overlap.

Please read, review and respond to the following:

v.  1
Is there a difference between times and seasons? Explain.


vv. 2-8
How many experiences can occur during a human life cycle? 


How can we know when the time and season is "right"?


v. 11
What is meant by "God has made everything beautiful in its time"?


How does the phrase "God has put eternity in their hearts..." affect you?


vv. 12-13
What is the "gift of God"?


vv. 14-15
What does God "do" that causes humans to fear God?


vv.  16-17
Who will God "judge"?


vv. 19
​Why does God "test" humans?

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...