Judgment is coming

Rom 2:5-11

5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking [1] and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.

Footnotes
[1] 2:8 Or contentious

• What is the outcome of those who obey the truth?
  
• What is the outcome of those who do not obey the truth?
  
• What attitudes result in punishment?
  
• What do stubbornness, unrepentant heart, and selfish ambition have in common?
  
• What will be the basis of God's judgment?
  
• Why is repentance so important in facing God's judgment?
  

And you did it too!

Rom 1:32-2:4

32 Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. 2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

• What is the difference between "giving approval" and "passing judgment"?
  
• What is meant by passing judgment?
  
• What is the problem with mankind passing judgment on mankind?
  
• How should you respond to the fact that God judges people who practice sin?
  
• What is the "range of sins" listed in v. 28-32?
  
• How would you rank the sins in the list from worst to less worse?
  
• How does God rank the sins in the list?
  
• What is the reason for God's kindness?
  
• In what way has God's kindness led you to repent in the past?
  
• What sins do you need to repent of now?

Given over (Rom 1:24-32)

Rom 1:24-32

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

• What are the consequences of not acknowledging God and serving the creature instead of the Creator?
  
• To what three things does God give over people who reject him?
  
• Which of your problem areas are included in the list?
  
• How close are you to God when you find yourself struggling with your problem areas?
  
• Why would God give someone over to something that would result in sin?
  
• Which is worse: rejecting God or a sinful action? Why?
  
• Why is tolerance of sin not acceptable to God?
  
• What does tolerance of sin reflect?

Exchanging Gods

Rom 1:18-25

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

• How is the truth suppressed by unrighteousness?
  
• Which comes first: not believing the truth or unrighteous actions?
  
• What parts of creation show God to you most clearly?
  
• In what ways are verses 21-22 true in today's culture?
  
• What is God exchanged for today?
  
• How do people worship and serve the creature instead of the Creator?
  
• Why would God give people over to their lusts?
  
• Why is it sometimes easy to exchange God's truth for Satan's lie?
  
• What personal challenge does this passage confront you with?

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.

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?
  

Worse than death

Eccles. 7:23-26

23 All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. 24 That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out? 25 I turned my heart to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness that is madness. 26 And I find something more bitter than death: the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is taken by her.

• Why is it harder to be wise than you want it to be?
  - Why is wisdom so hard to obtain?
  - What did Solomon do in his attempt to gain wisdom?
  
• Why is considering folly, foolishness, and unreasonable behavior necessary to gain wisdom?
  - Why is knowledge, i.e. facts and explanations, useful in gaining wisdom?
  - What is the difference between wisdom and great knowledge?
  
• How does the past serve as a storehouse for learning from past mistakes?
  - How well do you remember the motivations and internal drives that resulted in some foolishness of yours five years ago?
  
• What is more bitter than death?
  - What sort of woman is Solomon describing?
  - Why is this sort of woman so dangerous?
  
• In our more gender neutral society, could Solomon find a similar sort of man?
  - What sort of man might Solomon describe?
  - Why would this sort of man be so dangerous?

Harold's Musings:
I really do want to be wise. I want to know a lot of things, as well as how to use that knowledge effectively. I really want to know how things work. I truly understand how Solomon felt about it being far off and very deep. As soon as I learn one thing and move to another, things change with the first thing. Yet another wind to chase. On a different thread, I realize Solomon picked out a woman as the thing more bitter than death. With as many women as he had in his life, I suspect he had some experience here. I cannot help but believe in our time evil hearted, entrapping men are to be avoided as well. Ladies, what do you think? Have you seen such men in your lives?

The Sound of Fools

Eccles. 7:5-7

5 It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise
than to hear the song of fools.
6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot,
so is the laughter of the fools;
this also is vanity.
7 Surely oppression drives the wise into madness,
and a bribe corrupts the heart.

• When recently have you thought about wanting a carefree life?
  - When recently have the pressures of daily life pushed you into making unwise decisions?
  
• When have you been rebuked for some unwise or even ungodly behavior or attitude?
  - How well did you receive the rebuke?
  - When have you received rebukes and responded wisely?
  - When have you received rebukes and responded foolishly?
  - What made the difference between the two?
  
• How long do twigs or small limbs burn?
  - Why would you not want to use twigs or small limbs as your primary source of fuel?
  - Why does Solomon compare this type of fuel with the pleasure/laughter of fools?
  - Why would you want to choose the laughter of fools?
• What is the risk of unending/unyielding pressure?
  - Who have you known that has "broken" under the oppression of life?
  - In what ways might a wise man "go mad"?
  - How might the pressure of money cause a form of madness?
  - Who or what do you turn to for comfort from life's oppression?

Harold's Musings:
In the computer world, there is a saying, "The nice thing about standards; there are so many to choose from." In life, the nice thing about experts is that there are so many to choose from. The shelves of the bookstores have a wide selection of experts to choose from. If you do not like what is there today, wait a few weeks and look again. Christian booksellers have found that people want an expert to tell them what to do. Authors have found ways to scratch that itch. Be careful that you are not trying to cook a meal over a pile of twigs.

Why Work?

Eccles. 4:7-8

7 Again, I saw vanity under the sun: 8 one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business.

• How does your commitment to family motivate you to work?
  
• Why do people work and accumulate wealth?
  - How often do you hear people mention plans to leave an inheritance for their children?
  - How often do you hear people just wanting things to have things?
  - Why is it common to not be satisfied by riches?
  
• How likely are you to work hard and not stop to enjoy life?
  - How often do you ask the question "For whom are I laboring?"
  - When is your labor vanity and chasing the wind?

Harold's Musings:
Here Solomon talks of a man with no dependents and has apparently put work into that void. Some of us have been guilty of putting work into the family's space, even when we have family. Solomon is pointing out that work for works sake is not worth it. Money for money's sake is not worth it. Neither is truly satisfying in the long run.

To every thing ...

Eccles. 3:1-8

3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

• Which would you choose from each pair of opposites?
  - Which choices do you feel the most strongly about?
  
• Why do the "bad" things have appointed times like the "good" things?
  - What do you feel when it is time for the "bad" things? Why?
• How does this list reinforce the empty nature of life under the sun?
  - What bothers you most about the list: its basic futility or your lack of control?
  - What pleases you most about the list: that good will happen or that God controls?
  
• How do you know which thing it is time for?
  
• How does this list encourage increased dependence on God?
  - How might this list be discouraging in general?

Harold's Musings:
In 1965, the folk rock group the Byrds recorded Turn, Turn, Turn, a song based on this passage. I suspect that was the first time I ever looked at this book. As a high school student, I thought I knew what this passage was about. With many years of experience, I look back and see something much different. At first glance, it suggests everything is just fate and you cannot control it. Or maybe your first glance challenges you to know the right time for everything so that you can control it. I now see the futility of worrying about so much. God is in control and I am not. So what if I miss the right time to gather stones, God can deal with it. If God were not on my side, then life would be even more stressful. I'm so thankful that God loves me and cares for me.

What about work?

Eccles. 2:18-23

18 I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me, 19 and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. 20 So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun, 21 because sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22 What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? 23 For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity.

• How did Solomon feel after his evaluation of wisdom and folly?
  - How did that affect his view of all that he had accomplished?
• Briefly, what was the problem that Solomon saw with accomplishing great things?
  - What are the risks of seeking to leave a legacy under the sun?
  - Why did Solomon conclude that leaving a legacy of accomplishments was vanity?
  
• What was Solomon's appraisal of a person's labor under the sun?
  - What was the curse that God put on man in the Garden?
  - How does that curse show up in Solomon's appraisal?
  
• How does being aware of your mortality influence the decisions you make daily?
  - How much of your identity is attached to your work or accomplishments?
  - Why is it tempting to attach your identity to an accomplishment?
  
• How many nights have you lost sleep over some project at work?
  - What have you gotten from your lost sleep?
  - Why do some people obsess about their work and others don't care about their work?
  - What are the risks of each?

Harold's Musings:
Oh, this passage speaks to me at this point in my life! Nearly thirty years ago I had an idea for something at my job. Between 1980 and 1998, I had tried and failed 8 times to realize this idea. With full support of my employer, the idea came to partial fruition in late 2001. Much of my life, thoughts, and energy are tied up in this vision that I had. I've reached the age where retirement is something to think towards and one of the little nagging concerns is what will happen to my idea. Will the person who comes after me take the baton and continue the race or will they drop the baton and decide to clean their shoes? To deal with the vanity, I have had to change my identity. I have to see the idea as a good thing, not an eternal thing. It took almost 20 years of technological advancement for me to be able to move the idea forward. In another 20 years, my idea will undoubtedly be replaced by something better. Is what you are chasing simply a good thing or do you have your identity tied up in it? If the latter, it is just vanity.

Wisdom or folly or fame

Eccles. 2:12-17

12 So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly. For what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done. 13 Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness. 14 The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that the same event happens to all of them. 15 Then I said in my heart, “What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?” And I said in my heart that this also is vanity. 16 For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool! 17 So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind.

• Why did Solomon consider wisdom, madness, and folly after his evaluation of pleasure?
  
• Which did Solomon consider best: wisdom or folly? Why?
  
• What is the fate of every person under the sun?
  - Why did Solomon find this frustrating?
  - How often do you find this frustrating in day-to-day life?
  
• Why did Solomon hate life?
  
• What is the problem with life under the sun?
• How is the quest for knowledge (and maybe wisdom) seen in today's culture?
  
• What is the purpose for seeking more knowledge today under the sun?
  
• How is the quest for fame seen in today's culture?
  
• What is the fate of most who seek fame?
  
• If life under the sun is so bad and frustrating, what hope does the average person have? What hope do you have?

Harold's Musings:
Interesting conclusion here. Wisdom is better than folly, but not really. At first glance, the passage seems to be about wisdom and folly, but then Solomon throws the curve. The foolish man and the wise man both die and no one remembers. For me, I would hope that wisdom would keep me from making foolish mistakes, like seeking fame. Yet it seems that others have their hope in this world and seek the fleeting warmth of fame. If Solomon was seeking fame, it seems that he was a fool walking in darkness. Yes, he was chasing the wind.

How about pleasure?

Eccles. 2:1-3

2:1 I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. 2 I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” 3 I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life.

• What did Solomon set out to test after evaluating wisdom and knowledge?
  
• What was his basic purpose in doing this?
  
• Why are pleasures so appealing and enticing?
  
• Why is laughter so appealing and enticing?
  
• How is laughter related to pleasure?
  
• What is wrong with experiencing pleasure and/or laughter?
  
• When do pleasures under the sun become a physical problem? A spiritual problem?
  
• What does pleasure accomplish?
  
• How long does pleasure last?
  
• How long does the thing that produces pleasure satisfy?
  
• Why did Solomon use wine?
  
• How did Solomon plan his use of wine?
  
• How did wine help Solomon take hold of folly?

Harold's Musings:
So Solomon found hurt in seeking wisdom. What is the opposite of hurt? Pleasure. So he sought out pleasure and laughter. How often do we do that? We are hurt in some way so we seek comfort. Maybe it is food. Maybe a video game. Maybe sex. Maybe drugs or alcohol. You fill in the blank. Yet we all know what Solomon learned. It is vanity. It is empty. It is foolishness. The ice cream and chocolate only last a short while. The sex only lasts a short while. The alcohol only lasts a short while. Soon we want more. The hurt has not gone away but the relief has. It is all just vanity.

Wisdom hurts

Eccles. 1:16-18

16 I said in my heart, “I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.

18 For in much wisdom is much vexation,
and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

• God caused Solomon to be the wisest man that ever lived. How would you like God to do that for you?
  
• What did Solomon set out to know?
  
• Why would you want to know wisdom?
  
• What does it mean to know wisdom?
  
• Why would you want to know madness and folly?
  
• How would you set out to know wisdom?
  
• How would you set out to know madness and folly?
  
• Why did Solomon decide his quest was like chasing the wind?
  
• When is the quest for wisdom over?
  
• If you are seeking folly, when is your search over?
  
• Why does wisdom contain much grief or vexation?
  
• Why does increasing knowledge increase pain and sorrow?
  
• When have you known that hurt and sadness were heading at you but could not avoid it?
  
• When have you watched those you love do what you knew to be foolish things?
  
• How did your knowing it was foolish cause you grief?
  
• Why is resting your identity, pride, and hope on knowledge unwise?
  
• Why is resting your identity, pride, and hope on earthly wisdom foolish?
  
• What was the main temptation that Satan used on Eve?
  
• Why was one of the curses of eating the fruit actually the believed benefit of eating the fruit?
  
• How does having to make wise choices cause grief when you don't?