Ecclesiastes Bible Study 2: Vain Desires of the Heart

When Solomon says that man’s labor under the sun is meaningless, he is not speaking about the work of our vocation, which God has given man to do.  Solomon is speaking about man’s toil and striving apart from God (or even against God’s will).  Everything which God has made is good.  It is the misuse of God’s gifts in accordance with our sinful desires that is meaningless.  Not only will we fail to accomplish what God has not willed, but we will afflict ourselves with trouble.  In Matthew 6:19-34, Jesus teaches His disciples to seek first Christ’s kingdom.  With salvation secured through the merit of Christ, we know that God is working out everything for our good.  This gift of God makes us content and at peace, without care and anxiety for the future, which is in God’s hands.   Solomon teaches us to remain and find enjoyment in the Word and work of God.

Overheads: Overheads Lesson 2 May 15 2016
Handouts: The Three Books of SolomonLuther’s Prefaces to the Book of Ecclesiastes

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