Ob and In:
Repeated phrases
1. all that has been accomplished on earth v.13, 14
13 I decided to carefully and thoroughly examine
all that has been accomplished on earth.
I concluded: God has given people a burdensome task
that keeps them occupied.
14 I reflected on everything that is accomplished by man on earth,
and I concluded: Everything he has accomplished is futile—like chasing the wind!
(NET) Qoheleth states that he made a thorough investigation of everything that had been accomplished on earth. His position as king gave him access to records and contacts with people that would have been unavailable to others.
Qoheleth carefully and thoroughly examine all that has been accomplished on on earth and reflected on these result. His conclusion is discouraging: 1) God has given people a burdensome task or a “rotten business, grievous task” (NET) that keeps them occupied or “that busies them” (NET) v.13; 2) Everything he has accomplished is futile, profitless, fruitless (NET) —like chasing the wind! v.14
(NET) Despite everything that man has accomplished in history, it is ultimately futile because nothing on earth really changes.
v. 15 What is bent NET irregularities in life and obstacles to human secular achievement accomplishing anything of ultimate value cannot be straightened,
and what is missing cannot be supplied.
(WBC) Although God is not mentioned in the saying, the presence is felt: a stark submission to the divine decrees appears throughout the book. No education and training can neglect this reality.
Reflection: What makes life a rotten business that is profitless? What is bent or missing that cannot be straightened or be supplied? What can God does that man cannot change? Is it our sin nature? Or my limitation in changing ourselves?
b. Chasing the wind v.14, 17
Acquiring wisdom and knowledge is highly desirable in proverbs, why will these become fruitless in Ecclesiastes v.17? Why?
v. 18 For with great wisdom comes great frustration;
whoever increases his knowledge merely increases his heartache.
(WBC) A wisdom saying is quoted in support of the contention that the pursuit of wisdom is vanity. One can imagine (with K. Galling and W. Zimmerli) that the original setting of such a saying (in school) may have suggested a more positive meaning; the teacher would have encouraged the student: wisdom is not to be gotten without work or pain (even corporal punishment), but one can obtain it. But now the point is quite different: wisdom only brings trouble (“trouble” and “pain” will occur again; see 2:23; 5:16). The saying can be explained both as process and end result. One has to reckon with difficulties: the failures and trials that the pursuit of wisdom entails. Moreover, the end result is not satisfactory: the more you know, the less you know. Qoheleth himself confessed that wisdom eluded him (7:23–24).
As an introduction to the book, these verses are central to Qoheleth’s purpose. They tell us of his object and the means to it. The object is “wisdom and knowledge” (three times in vv 16–18, although separated in v 18). This is far from theoretical wisdom; it deals with the things that happen under the sun (vv 13–14). But it is not mindless; it is by means of wisdom (v 12) that his search will proceed. This distinction between style and content is an important observation for judging Qoheleth’s views on wisdom. He is not “anti-wisdom” (see R. E. Murphy, The Tree of Life, 55). He recognizes the pain associated with the task (v 18), as well as its futility. He coolly places wisdom and folly together (v 17); in the balance wisdom will somehow come off better if one recognizes its vulnerability (10:1), even its unattainability (7:23–24; 8:17). He begins with underscoring the futility of wisdom at the outset, but he never gives up the struggle.
Reflection: Throughout my life, the praise I enjoyed the most is when people praise me to be "wise," or "smart." However, is wisdom really that good? Have I ever experiences the frustration and pain when I try to pursue wisdom and knowledge? Is this one of the "missing" in v.15?
Am I convinced that our life without God is just like chasing the wind? There is no way to have profit in this business, called, life? There is no value even for PhD? Accomplishment or improvement that human has accomplished cannot really change the sin nature or filled up our limitations. This is a true reality of the unsaved life. How will this change my evangelism? How will this change my own life? How shall I spend the rest of my life?
For Girl's meeting:
Write down on the Bible:
Under the heaven v.13, or under the sun v.14= (Greidanus) life considered from a horizontal, secular perspective; life without taking God into account
a burdensome task v.13= a “rotten business, grievous task”
futile—like chasing the wind v.13=profitless, fruitless
Despite everything that man has accomplished in history, it is ultimately futile because nothing on earth really changes.
v. 15 What is bent NET irregularities in life and obstacles to human secular achievement accomplishing anything of ultimate value cannot be straightened,
and what is missing cannot be supplied.
Who can bent and supply?
What does this verse tell us about ourselves and all humans?
How do you apply this to your life? Do not attempt to do things that only God can do.
(WBC) Although God is not mentioned in the saying, the presence is felt: a stark submission to the divine decrees appears throughout the book. No education and training can neglect this reality.
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