You don't know what God does

Eccles. 11:5

5 As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb [1] of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.

Footnotes

[1] 11:5 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Targum; most Hebrew manuscripts As you do not know the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb

• In Solomon's day, how accurately could a person know the path of the wind?
  
• Even with all of our science, how well can we know the path that wind is following?
• How are predictions different from knowing?
• In Solomon's day, who knew the processes involved with a baby's development in the womb?
• Even with all of our science, how well do we know how life is formed in the womb?
• How does scientific knowledge replace the power of God for some people?
• How might scientific knowledge diminish the marvel of God's activity, even for Christians?
• What are the dangers of relying heavily on science for answers to life's problems?
• What illustrations can you give that would parallel this one from Solomon?

Waiting for just the right time

Eccles. 11:3-4

3 If the clouds are full of rain,
they empty themselves on the earth,
and if a tree falls to the south or to the north,
in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.
4 He who observes the wind will not sow,
and he who regards the clouds will not reap.

• How can you know how much rain will fall from looking at a cloud?
  
• If a storm comes, what can you do about it?
  
• If the storm uproots a tree, what can you do about it?
  
• Who determines the amount of rain you will receive?
  
• Who determines which way the wind will blow the tree?
  
• When will a person sow seed if s/he waits for just the right time?
  
• When will a person reap if s/he waits for just the right time?
  
• How do you choose between waiting for just the right time and the need to do something?
  
• At what point in life do you have to make a decision and trust God?

Act without knowing the future

Eccles. 11:1-2

11:1 Cast your bread upon the waters,
for you will find it after many days.
2 Give a portion to seven, or even to eight,
for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.

• How can not knowing what the future brings produce fear?
  
• How can having fear of failure insure that you will not succeed?
  
• Why are "sure investments" so attractive?
  
• Why are there no sure investments?
  
• What stock market tip does Solomon give here?
  
• How strong is your fear of failure?
  
• How can a person overcome fear of failure?
  
• Why is it important to realize that life under the sun is always unsure and uncertain?
  
• How likely are you to fail or be rejected in heaven?

Be Careful What You Say

Eccles. 10:20

20 Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king,
nor in your bedroom curse the rich,
for a bird of the air will carry your voice,
or some winged creature tell the matter.

• When have you said something bad about someone in secret/behind their back?
  
• When have you done this and they found out about it?
  
• How careful should you be in what you say about others?
  
• What is the warning here?
  
• Why does Solomon make the point using kings and rich men?
  
• Who can you say something bad about? [Consider Eph. 4:29]

Harold's Musings:
Now old Solomon has gotten to meddling. Haven't we all had a moment (or more than one) where we have said something about someone else and regretted it as soon as it left our lips? The hint for not doing that is given in this passage. "Don't even think about it." So often we think the hurtful words, the condemning judgments, the harsh criticisms. We may have no intention of ever saying them, but they are bullets in the loaded gun we call our mouth. Boy, have I got some work to do!

Under-the-sun Point of View

Eccles. 10:19

19 Bread is made for laughter,
and wine gladdens life,
and money answers everything.

• What do meals mean to you?
  
• How is eating to live different from living to eat?
  
• While there is obviously nothing wrong with enjoying a meal, what are the risks of focusing on the enjoyment of each meal?
  
• How does wine make life merry?
  
• What additional substances are used today to make life merry?
  
• What does wine/drug do to the struggles and hardships of life?
  
• What are the risks of using wine/drug to make life merry?
  
• Why does money seem to be the answer to everything?
  
• How is having money to live different from living to have money?
  
• What are the risks of focusing on gaining money?
  
• What are the risks of depending on money as the answer?
  
• How different was the world view in Solomon's time from ours today?
  
• What are the hazards of centering your world view on the physical pleasures/needs?

Harold's Musings:
Once again something written thousands of years ago echoes life today. Obesity is a major health problem in America today. Why? Because we seek comfort and pleasure in food to offset the struggles and worries of life. What if food doesn't work? We move to heavier things, like alcohol or other drugs. Maybe we will not go that far, but "if only I had [fill in the blank] I would be happy". We want to put our trust in what we can touch and control. The irony is we give up control to untrustworthy things. It is just chasing the wind.

Laziness

Eccles. 10:18

18 Through sloth the roof sinks in,
and through indolence the house leaks.

• How do you define laziness?
  
• How does laziness impact a person's life?
  
• Why do some people seem to be situationally lazy, i.e. industrious about one thing, lazy about another?
  
• Where does laziness originate?
  
• How are laziness and carelessness related?
  
• What is spiritual laziness?
  
• Where does spiritual laziness originate?
  
• How do others see you in regard to laziness?
  
• How does God see you in regard to laziness?

Problems with leadership

Eccles. 10:16-17

16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child,
and your princes feast in the morning!
17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility,
and your princes feast at the proper time,
for strength, and not for drunkenness!

• Why is it bad for a country to have inexperienced leaders?
• Why is it bad for a country to have leaders who are very young?
  
• How might youthful tendencies result in poor leadership?
  
• Who were some young kings of Judah who were good leaders?
  
• Who were some young kings of Judah who were poor leaders?
  
• Why is it bad for a country to have drunken leadership?
  
• What happens to decision making when alcohol and other mind-altering substances are involved?
  
• How would you feel about your elected leaders if you knew they started their day drunk?
  
• How would you feel about your accountant, attorney, doctor, etc. if you knew they started their day drunk?

Words from the fool

Eccles. 10:12

12 The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, [1]
but the lips of a fool consume him.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness,
and the end of his talk is evil madness.
14 A fool multiplies words,
though no man knows what is to be,
and who can tell him what will be after him?
15 The toil of a fool wearies him,
for he does not know the way to the city.
Footnotes
[1] 10:12 Or are gracious

• Why would a wise person normally say gracious or charming words?
  
• Why does a wise person's words bring favor?
  
• How is "sweet-talking" different from gracious or desirable words?
  
• Who have you known who was wise in word? Why do consider them so?
  
• How do a fool's words show his/her foolishness?
  
• How might a fool's words consume him/her?
  
• What is the path that a fool's talk takes?
  
• Even with all the problems his/her talk has brought, what does a fool do?
  
• How does a fool multiply words?
  
• Why is excessive talking dangerous?
  
• Why does talking about something that bothers you sometimes do more harm than good?
  
• Who have you known who was foolish in words? Why do you consider them so?
  
• How does a fool's talk relate to future events?
  
• How are wise plans different from foolish predictions and assurances?
  
• Why is a fool's toil so tiring?
  
• How would you consider your words: wise or foolish?
  
• Would those around you each day agree with you?
  

Miscellaneous Warnings

Eccles. 10:8-11

8 He who digs a pit will fall into it,
and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
9 He who quarries stones is hurt by them,
and he who splits logs is endangered by them.
10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,
he must use more strength,
but wisdom helps one to succeed. [1]
11 If the serpent bites before it is charmed,
there is no advantage to the charmer.

Footnotes
[1] 10:10 Or wisdom is an advantage for success

• What is the common thread behind these various warnings?
  
• Why do accidents happen?
  
• How can accident be avoided?
  
• How does foolishness frequently result in harm?
  
• How does foolishness make life harder than it has to be?
  
• Why is foolishness like playing with poisonous snakes?
  
• When have you acted foolishly and what were the results?
  
• What is the advantage of wisdom in your daily life?
  
• When have you acted wisely and had success?

Do not exalt folly

Eccles. 10:5-7

5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: 6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. 7 I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.

• What is the evil that Solomon has seen under the sun?
  
• Why would a ruler's error be considered evil?
  
• How might folly be set in exalted places?
  
• Who might sit folly in exalted places?
  
• Is folly a thing or is it an attitude?
  
• Why is Solomon concerned about the positions of slaves and princes?
  
• What do the position changes suggest had happened?
  
• When have you seen folly exalted to high places?
  
• When have you seen folly as the apparent ruler?

Foolishness is obvious

Eccles. 10:1-4

10:1 Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a stench;
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 A wise man's heart inclines him to the right,
but a fool's heart to the left.
3 Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense,
and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
4 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place,
for calmness [1] will lay great offenses to rest.

Footnotes[1] 10:4 Hebrew healing

• What illustration would you use to communicate the impact of foolishness?
  
• Why does it seem that foolishness and evil outweigh wisdom, honor, and righteousness?
  
• How does a person's heart demonstrate their wisdom or foolishness?
  
• What did Jesus say about the relationship between the heart and actions?
  
• How does a fool demonstrate his/her foolishness in their daily walk?
  
• Why might society not recognize a fool for what s/he is?
  
• Why did Solomon seemingly jump from talking about fools to talking about rulers?
  
• What would a fool do if a ruler rose against him/her?
  
• How much composure do you have when someone in authority gets upset with you?
  
• In your opinion, are you a wise person or a fool?
  
• What areas of your life are evidence of your wisdom?
  
• What areas of your life are evidence of your foolishness?
  

The Value of Wisdom

Eccles. 9:13-18

13 I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. 14 There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. 15 But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. 16 But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard. 17 The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

• Why is wisdom better than strength?
  
• What are the risks of strength without wisdom?
  
• When have you seen wisdom win over physical strength or intimidation?
  
• Why are the poor forgotten by the rulers and the wealthy?
  
• Why would the wisdom of a poor man be despised?
  
• Why would the wisdom of a poor man be ignored?
  
• What misconceptions about the poor would rulers and wealthy people have?
  
• Why is quiet wisdom better than loud foolishness?
  
• How is anger, intimidation, and bullying usually displayed?
  
• How is wisdom usually displayed?
  
• Why is the impact of one sinner contrasted with the value of wisdom?
  
• Why is sin even included in this context?
  
• What was the impact on Israel of David's sin with Bathsheba?
  
• What was the impact on Israel of David's sin of taking a census (2 Sam 24)?
  
• How would people consider you: wise or foolish?

Unpredictable

Eccles. 9:11-12

11 Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. 12 For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them.

• What unexpected results of life under the sun are given in v. 11?
  
• What similar unexpected results in life have you seen?
  
• What does Solomon give as the reason for why the expected and predicted may not happen?
  
• What does Solomon say man's risks under the sun like?
  
• When have evil times fallen on you without any reason you can see?
  
• Why do you think life under the sun is so unpredictable?
  
• How would your life be different if it were predictable?
  
• Would you really enjoy a totally predictable life? Why or why not?
  
• How much faith is required to live life under the sun and stay righteous?
  

Go All Out

Eccles. 9:10

10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, [1] for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
Footnotes
[1] 9:10 Or finds to do with your might, do it

• In general, what sort of worker are you?
  
• How often do you look for ways to avoid work or ways to cut corners?
  
• How does your employer consider your work and work habits?
  
• How do your employment work habits extend into other areas of your life?
  
• When compared to your employment,
  - how much effort do household chores get?
  - how much effort do more spiritual tasks get?
  - how much effort do your recreational activities get?
  
• Why does Solomon point out that in the grave {Sheol} things stop?
  
• How many important things have you put off that will never get done if you die?
  - What are they?
  
• How many important family plans have you continuously put off?
  - What are they?
  
• How many Christ-oriented plans have you continuously put off?
  - What are they?
  
• If you died today,
  - what would be your biggest regret?
  - what plan would you regret not accomplishing?
  
  

The Week That Was

What a week! Flight fiascoes. Early morning responsibilities. The big item was computer failure which kept me from posting for the past three days. I lost a lot of stuff when a hard drive failed and this weekend I will be wading through backups and synchronized files to see what I can recover. I hope to have a real post for you on Monday.