Ecclesiastes
Teachers
Lesson Summary
The class began with an interactive quiz that challenged participants to identify which well‑known proverbs actually originate from Ecclesiastes. After confirming verses such as “Everything has its season” (Eccl 3:1) and “There is nothing new under the sun” (Eccl 1:9), Larry Johnson explained how the book contrasts fleeting worldly wisdom with a God‑centered purpose. He described Solomon’s search for meaning, noting the recurring Hebrew term *havel*—traditionally rendered “vanity”—and suggested that “temporary” or “mysterious” may better capture its nuance in context. Larry then moved to the opening verses of Ecclesiastes 1, illustrating the endless cycles of nature and human toil, and underscored the preacher’s conclusion that fearing God and keeping His commandments constitute the whole duty of man. He connected this ancient wisdom to daily Christian life, urging a balanced pursuit of health, relationships, and industrious work, as supported by Ecclesiastes 2:3 and 9:10. The session closed with a call to seek God earnestly, echoing Paul’s encouragement to the Athenians, and a reminder that true fulfillment comes from God‑given pleasures enjoyed with gratitude and reverence.
Key Scriptures
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 always be white, and let not oil be lacking on your head. Eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. Let your garments always be white, and let not oil be lacking on your head. All your days, be in the light of your life, and let your heart be cheerful in the days of your youth. Let your heart be cheerful, and may the Lord cause you to be joyful in your life, even in the days of your youth. Let your heart be cheerful, and may the Lord cause you to be joyful in your life, even in the days of your youth. Let your heart be cheerful, and may the Lord cause you to be joyful in your life, even in the days of your youth. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Israel: Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?