12 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; 13 also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man. 14 I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. 15 That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away. [1]
- Previously {Eccles. 2:24) Solomon stated that there was "nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good." What does he now add to the "nothing better" list?
- Why might it be hard to rejoice/be glad under the sun?
- What influences your willingness to rejoice and be glad?
- How does your life's quests influence your willingness or ability to rejoice?
- How does comparing your efforts to those of others influence your rejoicing? - Where does the rejoicing, doing good, eating, drinking, and seeing good in your work come from?
- How does recognizing this influence your outlook on life? - Why does Solomon move next to God's works?
- Why is it important to remember the permanence of what God has done?
- Why has God worked?
- What are some of the results of mankind's ignoring that God has worked in the world? - When might you want to add to or alter God's works?
- When have you complained about God's design? [If I'd only been born with ...]
- When have you complained about God's decisions? [Why did you let ...]
- How does fearing God relate to rejoicing and being glad?
1 comment:
In verse 12, Solomon now adds, to do good as long as they (we) live. I have never caught this before while looking at Ecclesiastes. God wants us to enjoy life only when we have a proper view of God. I had always felt that Solomon was saying something else. I must confess, I don't very often read this writing, and even go to great lengths to avoid it. I have always considered it to be difficult to understand. Perhaps I need to take a closer look at this book. Thank you for stirring up my mind through your questions.
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