Ecclesiastes 1:4-18 Everything is meaningless Life is an endless cycle (4-7) Solomon points to 4 timeless facts to back up his claim Earth (v4) Sun (v5) Wind (v6) Sea (v7) The voice of ‘science’ Reminds me of “Uniformitarianism” Became popular in 1830 by Lyell (Geology) and Darwin (Biology) What is the practical application of this book for us today? Is Ecclesiastes nothing but an interesting exhibit in a religious museum, or does it have a message for people in the Space Age? Its message is for today. After all, the society which Solomon investigated a millennium before the birth of Christ was not too different from our world today. Solomon saw injustice to the poor (4:1-3), crooked politics (5:8), incompetent leaders (10:6-7), guilty people allowed to commit more crime (8:11), materialism (5:10), and a desire for “the good old days” (7:10). It sounds up-to-date, doesn’t it?” Page 480, The Bible Exposition Commentary, Warren W. Wiersbe

“Nothing is changed” Is life really an endless cycle? Outside of God’s word, we are forced to rely on ourselves: Our senses Our ability to reason Our depravity 2 Peter 3:3-7, 10 Nothing really changes! Life is a heavy burden (8-11)Solomon points out a difficult struggle in the heart of man We all want something new (v8) The world can’t provide anything new (v9) We often end up being duped (v10-11) The voice of history Sin is not new. Nothing is new. Is life really a heavy burden? Outside of God’s word, life is is a burden instead of a joy. This hinges upon the cyclical nature of life given in v4-7 Matthew 11:25-30 Eph. 1:10-14 Phil. 1:6 Salvation is not in wisdom (12-18) Can wisdom help us? Perhaps verse 12 would be a good place to begin chapter 2 It is the start of a new thought Solomon makes 3 statements that show our powerlessness Life is of God, a complex gift (13-14) Not everything has a solution (v15) Salvation is not in wisdom or works (v16-18) The voice of philosophy Salvation is in Christ alone Outside of Christ, there is no salvation. Don’t be foolish and repeat Solomon’s “madness and folly” Repent of sin and turn to Christ With Christ there is abundant life, newness of life, meaningful work that counts in eternity, and a peace the surpasses understanding. To live is ____ and to die is _____.