Ecces. 6:1-2
Eccles. 5:10 - 6:10 describe our world in ways that are rather amazing. We see the same quest for our desires that results in discontent and disappointment. We are a nation of discontented people fueled by a media system that shows us what is wrong and advertises what could be better. No one is saying that God provides enjoyment in our lot in life. We are too often driven to advance ourselves rather than simply do the best job we can. We apparently love to watch reality TV shows where scheming, dishonesty, and selfishness are rewarded. And we wonder why we have so many unhappy, hurt people in the world. God told us thousands of years ago. It is vanity.
6:1 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: 2 a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil.
- What is the evil under the sun that Solomon has seen?
- Who does Solomon seem to attribute this "evil" to?
- The Hebrew word means evil, misery, distress, or injury. How do the other translations help you grasp the passage?
- Why is this misery so prevalent among men?
- Why would God do this? - What is a possible relationship between the man's soul and God's withholding joy?
- What does the man's soul desire?
- How is accepting your lot (Eccles. 5:19) different from having your soul's desires (v 2)?
- How does this passage flesh out Eccles. 5:10? - How frequently do you not enjoy life because your desires are misplaced?
- Why would God not empower the full enjoyment of life to someone whose soul desires something other than God?
- Is this a truth for today? Why or why not?
Eccles. 5:10 - 6:10 describe our world in ways that are rather amazing. We see the same quest for our desires that results in discontent and disappointment. We are a nation of discontented people fueled by a media system that shows us what is wrong and advertises what could be better. No one is saying that God provides enjoyment in our lot in life. We are too often driven to advance ourselves rather than simply do the best job we can. We apparently love to watch reality TV shows where scheming, dishonesty, and selfishness are rewarded. And we wonder why we have so many unhappy, hurt people in the world. God told us thousands of years ago. It is vanity.
1 comment:
Verse 2 of Eccles. 6 describes a tradgedy. At first you say how fortunate a person is who lacks nothing, but he is so miserable he cannot enjoy the blessings of life. I think it is better to seek God than to seek riches. Doing so leaves an individual with peace and the ability to enjoy life.
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