Bible Reading
Ecclesiastes 9:1-12 “But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him. It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As the good one is, so is the sinner, and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath. This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun. Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head. Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going. 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. 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.”
[48:42]Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
[01:34:14]Ecclesiastes 1:2 “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.”
[57:12]Observation questions
- In Ecclesiastes 9:1–3, which differences between people offer no protection from death? What other troubles does Cohelet identify in human hearts? [01:10:55]
- What advantage does the living dog have over the dead lion in Ecclesiastes 9:4–6? What does this comparison reveal about what Cohelet values in being alive? [01:14:56]
- In Ecclesiastes 9:11–12, what expected outcomes fail to happen? What do the images of trapped fish and birds add to Cohelet’s description of life? [01:20:06]
- In Psalm 23, what does God do for the psalmist, both in ordinary life and in threatening circumstances? How does the psalm’s ending differ from Cohelet’s outlook on death? [01:34:14]
Interpretation questions
- Why does the fact that both righteous and wicked people die challenge the belief that faithfulness guarantees prosperity and safety? What can—and cannot—be concluded about someone’s faith from their circumstances? [01:10:33]
- On the reading that Cohelet sees death as the end of every opportunity, how does that belief shape his encouragement to enjoy life and work hard in Ecclesiastes 9:7–10? How would those same activities have a different meaning for someone who trusts the shepherd of Psalm 23? [01:17:16]
- Cohelet observes that death is unavoidable and life is unpredictable. Why does accepting those observations not necessarily require accepting his conclusion that life has no lasting meaning? What difference does knowing God make to that conclusion? [01:24:29]
- Psalm 23 includes danger, enemies, and death’s shadow. What makes its confidence different from an expectation that God will prevent all suffering? How might that distinction help a believer facing a frightening diagnosis? [01:34:58]
Application questions
- Have you ever caught yourself thinking that doing the right things should keep you or your family safe? When life has challenged that expectation, how has it affected your trust in God? [01:10:33]
- Which pursuit—pleasure, money, achievement, influence, or being seen as wise—most tempts you to expect more satisfaction than it can give? What might help you enjoy good things without asking them to provide your ultimate hope? [01:02:03]
- Think of a recent disappointment or troubling event. What did you actually know had happened, and what conclusions did you draw about God or your future? How could you test those conclusions rather than simply accepting them? [01:24:29]
- Where do you notice pressure to make decisions as though God were irrelevant—for example, at work, with money, or through the media you consume? What might including God in one specific decision look like this week? [01:30:55]
- Is there an uncertainty or fear you would feel comfortable sharing with the group? Which aspect of God’s care in Psalm 23 speaks most directly to it, and how could the group support you without pretending to have all the answers? [01:34:58]
- In your daily routine, when does God tend to feel distant rather than personally present? What small, realistic practice could help you seek his guidance and walk with him this week? [01:36:00]
