Bible Studies
Wisdom for Life and Death (Ecc. 11:8-12:7)
Series: Additional StudiesIntroduction:
1. Often when we read this text we focus attention on those between the ages of 12 and 21. I think that is a rather narrow view. 2. It is pretty obvious to me that these verses carry us from childhood (11:9) to death (12:7). They are a reflection of the circumstances of life over the life-span and the lessons that need to be taught to those 12-21 are the same lessons that need to be taught from childhood to old age. 3. My life has been particularly blessed by young people, including those of this congregation. I think you are some of the finest people I have ever known. I appreciate your conviction, your faith, and your determination to do right no matter what your life circumstances are. I appreciate your positive outlook, your excitement as you anticipate your future. I rather enjoy that more than the negative outlook of many that are older whose words are predominately about what is going wrong with the world, how sick they are, how their circumstances are the worst and how they cannot understand what purpose God has for them. 4. Solomon has been on both ends of the spectrum. He recognizes the futility of life. He knows days of darkness. He knows pain. He knows about being afraid. What is his instruction?Discussion:
I. “If a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all.”A. “Let him rejoice in them all.”
1. It does not say, “Let him rejoice while he is young,” but “let him rejoice in them all.”
2. Youth in our culture is something that is highly prized by those who are old.
3. Those who are very young want to “grow up.”
4. Seems everybody wants to be something other than what they are. Why can’t we just enjoy what we have got?
5. Are you missing out on the joys of your youth by wanting to be older? Are you missing out on the blessings of being older by wishing you were younger?
B. There is something desirable about youth: energy, confidence, hope, and physical attractiveness. Wilson Adams said, “Let’s face it, flat stomachs, silk hair, and smooth skin sure beats potbellies, baldheads and Ben Gay!” (Co-parenting With God).
C. Yet there are challenges too. Stress from school, parental and educational expectations, rude remarks and insults and bullying by peers, that make you so angry you could kill.
D. There is something desirable about age: strength, money, respect, power, personal control, children, grandchildren.
E. Yet there are challenges too: stress from work, relationships to negotiate, and personal health issues, not wanting to be a burden, diminished abilities.
II. “Remember the days of darkness, for they will be many.”A. “The light is pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun,” but remember the days of darkness. “Everything that is to come will be futility.”
B. Such days are unique for each of us.
1. Even though we may go through the same tragedy still our tragedy is ours and it is unique.
2. I constantly hear people say, “It could be worse.” For me that is little comfort. I refuse to have my tragedy minimized by someone else’s being worse. It is my body that aches. It is my heart that hurts. It is my grief. It is my loss. It is my pain. It is my loneliness. It is my fear. And no one understands it! You may sympathize. You may empathize. You may be sympathetic and grieve with me.
3. I think we give Job’s three friends a bad rap. Sure they questioned his integrity and their thinking was skewed, but they tried to help. They may have been poor comforters, but how do you comfort a situation like Job’s? They wanted to, but couldn’t. It was his pain, his loss, his grief and he had to get through it.
C. Solomon speaks of “evil days” (12:1bff).
1. He describes them in poetic language.
2. It really doesn’t matter about the exact interpretation of the details.
3. We get the message: There is a time coming when your eyes will be dim, you will stoop under the weight of your own body, your hearing will fail, you will be afraid, you will attend the funeral of your friends, and your friends will attend yours.
4. Yes, that is where you are headed. Is it any wonder he says, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!?”
III. Well, how should we then live?A. “Rejoice.” Enjoy every period of your life! “Well I don’t have anything to look forward to!” What? Has God not promised you more? “I mean in this life.” Can you not look back with gladness and rejoicing? Can you not look with gladness on the future of others and rejoice with them?
B. “Follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes.”
C. “Remove grief and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body.”
D. “Remember the Lord from your youth.” Why?
1. Rejoicing is made possible through discipline.
2. Pain and grief and anger result from sin.
3. Removing these things from my life involves living in remembrance of the Lord. Alcohol, drugs, sexual promiscuity and following the course of the world lead to pain, grief and anger. Disease, pregnancy outside of marriage, and not being in control of your life is painful. Sin’s price tag is heavy—and you can’t afford it!
E. And, “yes,” some of us did not give our lives to the Lord early enough. We live with grief and pain because of that, but we know from experience the value of remembering the Lord. Wherever you start, start, and continue.
F. 12:5c says, “Man goes to his eternal home while mourners go about in the street.”
1. There is an eternal home.
2. We are going home and we are going to leave the mourners behind.
Conclusion:
1. Begin your life with the Lord early. 2. Rejoice, let your heart be pleasant, follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Remove grief and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body. 3. Go to your eternal home and let the mourners go about in the street.
