ECCLESIASTES OUTLINE
A Ralph Johnson
Title "The preacher" (7 times). By Solomon.
Theme: All things under the sun are vanity (empty, without ultimate value).
Conclusion: Fear God and keep His commandments.
“Vanity” is found 37 times. “Under the Sun,” 29 times.
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CHAPTERS & KEY WORDS |
12ch(6) (brief) |
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1: |
INTRODUCTION: (1:1-2) |
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1. Writer: The “Preacher,” Solomon, son of David, king of Jerusalem. (1:1) |
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2. Theme: All under the sun is vanity (1:2).
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Nothing new |
I. VANITY OF ALL THINGS UNDER THE SUN. (1:2--4:26) |
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A. What profit from our labors? (1:2-11) |
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Nothing lasting accomplished. |
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Generation follows generation. (1:4) |
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The sun comes up and goes down.(1:5) |
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The wind circles continually.(1:6) |
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The rivers run into the sea and return to where they came.(1:7) |
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All things are a weariness. (1:8) |
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Nothing new under the sun. (1:9-10) |
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Each Generation soon forgets the last. (1:11)
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B. Personal experience of the preacher. (1:12--2:26) |
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1. Search for wisdom and knowledge only increased dissatisfaction. (1:12-18) |
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2: Vanity |
2. Nothing under the sun really profits. (2:1-26) |
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a. Laughter and fun (2:1-2) |
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b. Wine to cheer (2:3) |
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c. Great works (2:4-6) |
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d. Possessions (2:7-8) |
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e. Greatness (2:9) |
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f. Having everything wanted (2:10) |
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3. Examination of wisdom, madness and folly (2:12-26) |
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a. Wisdom is better than folly but a death is same end for all--soon forgotten (2:12-17) |
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b. Everything we accomplish may be left to a fool to destroy. (2:18-23) |
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c. The man who follows God can enjoy things most, yet even this is vanity. (2:24-26) |
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3: A time |
C. World of examples. (3:1—4:16) |
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1. Everything has a time but all comes to an end. |
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Man is given time to learn to fear God. (3:1-15) |
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God allows both the wicked and the righteous to dwell together so man can see he is as dependent as the beast.(3:16-22) |
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4: Problems |
2. Problems continue. |
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Oppression. (4:1-3) |
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Hard work (4:4-6) |
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Loneliness (4:7-12) |
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Self-willed rulers. (4:13-16)
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5: Values |
II. SOUND VALUES ARE ONLY WITH GOD (5:1—6:6) |
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A. Be right with God |
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Control your actions and words. (5:1-7) |
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God sees, even when the king does not. (5:8-9)
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B. Wealth without God cannot fully satisfy (5:10-6:12) |
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Gaining goods only increases those using them. (5:10-12) |
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Wealth often hurts the owner and always just ends at the grave. (5:13-17) |
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Wealth depends upon God. (5:18-20) |
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6: |
Unless God gives the ability to enjoy it, wealth is a mockery. (6:1-6)
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Wisdom |
III. WISDOM'S BENEFITS (6:7--10:20) |
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A. Wisdom teaches contentment (6:7-9) |
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B. Wisdom teaches humility. (6:10-12) |
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7: Better |
C. Wisdom teaches better values. (7:1-10) |
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A Good name is better than fine oil. (7:1) |
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Better the day of death than the day of birth. (7:1) |
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Mourning is better than feasting. (7:2) |
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Sorrow is better than laughter. (7:3-4) |
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Better wise rebuke than the song of fools. (7:5-7) |
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Better the end than the beginning. (7:8) |
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Better patience than pride. (7:8-9) |
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Better live in the present than the past. (7:10)
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D. Wisdom is a good inheritance. |
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It is a protection. (7:11-14) |
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It avoids excess. (7:15-18) |
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It restrains impulsive decisions. (7:19-22)
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E. What the preacher has learned about wisdom |
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It is hard to find (7:23-24) |
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A woman who is a snare is more bitter than death (7:26) |
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There is only one [wise?] man in a thousand. A woman I could not find. (7:27-28) |
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God made man upright but they have turned aside to many schemes. (7:29)
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8: Wise |
F. How to know a wise man (8:1) |
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1. Wisdom makes a man’s face soften and shine (8:1) |
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2. A wise man respects the law. (8:2-5) |
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3. A wise man respects time |
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a. He makes decisions for good while he is able. (8:5-8) |
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b. The foolish use time to gain power and do evil to their own injury. (8:9-13)
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IV. WISDOM WITHOUT GOD IS ALSO VAIN (8:14—10:7) |
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A. The reward of the righteous and the wicked often seems reversed. (8:14-17) |
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B. Only God has the answers to why. (8:16-17) |
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9: Death |
C. Both righteous and wicked have the same end. (9:1-10) |
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D. Time and chance happen to all. (9:11-12) |
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E. Wisdom is great but often despised. (9:13 -16) |
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F. Foolishness often outweighs wisdom and honor. (9:17--10:7)
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10: Vindication |
V. WISDOM WITH GOD WILL BE VINDICATED. (10:5-20) |
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A. Poor judgment results in bad consequences (10:5-11) |
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B. Words will reap a result. (10:12-15) |
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C. Irresponsible behavior will not escape (10:16-20)
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11: Youth |
VI. USE YOUTH WISELY (11:1—12:8) |
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A. Do not put off doing good (11:1-8) |
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B. Enjoy being young, but remember that in the end you must give account to God. (11:9-10) |
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C. Remember God before old age robs you of the opportunity to serve Him. (12:1-8)
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CONCLUSION: |
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A. Solomon’s purpose in writing (12:9-10) |
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B. Importance of the words of the wise. |
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They provide valuable security. (12:11) |
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Books are endless and study can be wearisome. (12:12) |
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C. Conclusion: (12:13-14) |
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Fear God and obey Him. This is man's highest duty. (12:13) |
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Remember, God will bring every work into Judgment. (12:14)
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