Study Questions for Ecclesiastes 9-10 – The Present

The Big Idea: Even though life is difficult, today is a gift; so the best thing to do is to celebrate life, cultivate wisdom, and combat foolishness.

I. 9:1-12 – Celebrate Life / Key Idea: Each day is given to us by God as a blessing so we should experience it to the fullest with joy and gratitude to Him.
1. Read Eccl 9:1-6. What is the one fate that awaits everyone (v3)? Based on that who alone has hope (v4-5)? Does that mean it doesn’t matter how we live? / The one fate that awaits everyone is death – we all experience the evil and insanity of this world, then we die. The only ones, therefore, who have hope (viewed from an “under the sun” perspective) are those who are alive; they are the only ones who can still do anything. Once we die we have made the decisions that have determined how and where we will spend eternity. This means, then, that what we do while we are alive matters very much – both for this life and for the life to come.
2. According to 9:7-9 how should we approach life (v7-8, 9)? How is this different from the world’s “live it up” philosophy? / We should joyfully live our lives, experiencing with gladness all that God has given to us. When He allows us good food and drink it shows that God has approved our works because this is the fruit of our labor. Therefore, we should put on clothes that show we realize that life is more than work; it is to enjoy. Similarly, the wife (or husband) that we love is to be enjoyed during our relatively short lives because this, too, is one of the rewards that God has given to us. The difference between this and a “live-it-up” philosophy of life (hedonism) is that the point is not in the pleasure, but in the One who gives the pleasure. The fact that it is a “reward” implies that there is a reward giver. So, when we celebrate the gift of life each day with gratitude to God then He is glorified; but if we simply “live it up” to avoid any responsibility or accountability, then that is idolatrous self-seeking and dishonoring to God.
3. From 9:10-12 how should treat everything we do (v10)? Why (v12) and why not (v11)? In what sense are Solomon’s words true? / We should give ourselves completely to whatever we do; this is the essence of being responsible stewards of God’s creation while we are here on this earth. We are only given the day we have and we must use it to the fullest because we don’t know when that will suddenly come to an end. However, we should not give it our best shot because we think that will guarantee success or victory; as a general principle this is what happens, but things unexpectedly happen to everyone. It is not always the fastest or the most powerful or the wealthiest or the most noble that get the prize; sometimes those with lesser resources achieve the greatest success. It is wise, therefore, to do the best you can with what you have for God’s glory, and then trust that God’s plan will be best, no matter what.
II. 9:13-10:11 – Cultivate Wisdom / Key Idea: Wisdom must be cultivated because, although it does not guarantee success at all times, it is still the only way to live effectively.
4. Using Eccl 9:13-18 what principle is given (v16), and what sad reality is presented (v15-16)? What other truths are brought out (v17-18)? / Wisdom is better than strength, but sadly no one usually remembers the one who has wisdom. People are impressed with power, and wise people are not usually powerful outwardly – so they are despised and forgotten. A corollary to this is that wisdom does not have to be accompanied by the bluster of fools and their shouting. It does not sound impressive at first blush, but if it is true wisdom then it is better than the loud suggestions of a foolish ruler. However, if wisdom is not followed, but the suggestions of a sinner are, these sinful actions can tear down the good work of much wisdom. It is easier to tear something down that is good than it is to build it up. An example of this is sobriety – a person can follow all the principles that enable them to take responsibility for their lives and cultivate emotional sobriety, but one outburst or incident of acting out can make them have to start all over.
5. Based on 10:1-4 why is wisdom better than foolishness (v1, 2, 3, 4)? How can you apply this? / In a sense similar to 9:18 just as perfume may stink because of one dead and rotting fly, so a little foolishness may cause a person’s entire life to stink. So, wisdom, while important, is not the only aspect of life that must be worked on; we must also eliminate the foolishness. Wisdom is good, however, because it directs us to the right (the good way metaphorically), and allows everyone to really believe in the inward quality of our character. The fool, on the other hand, is always demonstrating his lack of wisdom by his actions. Finally, wisdom has the ability to quietly overcome much antagonistic opposition, not only because it is true, but also because it provides a calm and confident approach to life. These facts mean that we must cultivate wisdom and use it consistently, but also work on eliminating the foolish actions from our lives.
6. In 10:5-7 what “evil” is illustrated (v6, 7)? How should this affect our judgment of people? / One of the evils of life is that people don’t get what they rightfully deserve. A person of means would normally expect to have a high position, but that is not always the case, while a humble person may at times get this very position. Therefore, we should not jump to conclusions about people without first getting to know them. As the saying goes, “you can’t judge a book by it’s cover”. It seems wrong sometimes that the things that normally lead to success and respect don’t always have that result. Life is not even-handed, so to do things for the reward alone will leave many people confused and bitter. We must do the right things simply because they are the right thing, and respond to whatever comes our way with wisdom.
7. Read 10:8-11. What risks come with hard work (v8, 9, 11), and what makes it more effective (v10)? What do you think the point is? / A person who digs a hole may fall in the hole which wasn’t there before he dug it, and a person who breaks through a wall (maybe in war, or in demolition) may get bitten by a snake on the other side of the wall. Similarly, those who dig out stones may be hurt by them and those who split logs may be endangered by those very logs. A snake charmer may be bitten by the snake before it is charmed and receive no reward for his efforts. The point is there is always risk associated with productive work, but it still must be done. It is impossible to get into a no-risk situation. Since we must work to produce it is wise to make our work as effective as possible. This happens when we sharpen the tools we have so that the same amount of labor produces greater returns.
III. Combat Foolishness (10:12-20) / Key Idea: Arrogant and slanderous speech and a lifestyle of pleasure-seeking laziness will destroy a fool, so a wise person will avoid this.
8. Looking at 10:12-14 what gets a fool in trouble (v13, 14)? Why (V14)? How does the wise man talk (v12)? / The speech of a fool destroys him; at the beginning his words may seem insignificant, but in the end their madness consumes him. He reveals his ignorance and arrogance the more he opens his mouth, acting as if he has all the answers for the present and the future. Conversely, the wise man speaks words that bring grace or favor to those who hear them. He is easy to be around.
9. Based on 10:15-18 what is another problem fools have (v15-16, 18)? How do wise and noble men act (v17)? / Fools are also lazy – they fear the fatigue that comes from hard work and this causes them to give up prematurely. It also leads them to focus inappropriately on pleasure instead of work, which in turn destroys everything in their lives due to neglect. Wise and noble men (men of character) enjoy pleasure for the right reasons – to celebrate God’s gifts as the rewards of responsible work – and thus bring blessing to the land over which they rule.
10. According to 10:19-20 what things make life easier here on earth (v19, 20)? How should we apply this? / Food, beverage and money make life easier here on earth – that is just a picture of reality – but they are not the objects of our existence. Furthermore, not speaking slanderously about anyone makes life better, because our words always come back to either bless or curse us. These are not to be the goals of our life, but God’s daily material gifts and healthy relationships make life much easier to endure. We should, therefore, enjoy them, but also make sure that we don’t fret over them.
11. From Eccl 9-10 how should we do life in a way that celebrates it for the gift it is? How does wisdom help this, and how does foolishness hurt this? / We must celebrate life each day by throwing ourselves into each day and enjoying the gifts that God sends our way. This happens more frequently when we cultivate wisdom – by working effectively and building healthy relationships – and avoid the foolishness of arrogant and slanderous speech, and the laziness that results from an excessive focus on pleasure.