Biblical Outline: Ecclesiastes

Peace & Blessings Beloved,

TGBTG for allowing us to see another day. I pray all is well with you and yours, and that your week has been fruitful & blessed thus far.

In this Series, we are going to further our in-depth study of each book of the Holy Bible, breaking each book into the major themes and topics contained therein. Today we'll outline the twenty first book of the Bible, Ecclesiastes

Outline

• Author (1:1)

• Theme: The meaninglessness of human efforts on earth apart from God (1:2)

• Introduction: The profitlessness of human toil to accumulate things in order to achieve happiness (1:3-11)

• Discourse, Part 1: In spite of life's apparent enigmas and meaninglessness, it is to be enjoyed as a gift from God (1:12;11:6)

  • Since human wisdom and endeavors are meaningless, people should enjoy their life and work and its fruits as gifts from God (1:12;6:9)

    1. Introduction (1:12-18)

       1. Human endeavors are meaningless (1:12-15)

       2. Pursuing human wisdom is meaningless (1:16-18)

    2. Seeking pleasure is meaningless (2:1-11)

    3. Human wisdom is meaningless (2:12-17)

    4. Toiling to accumulate things is meaningless (2:18;6:9)

       1. Because people must leave the fruits of their labor to others (2:18-26)

       2. Because all human efforts remain under the government of God's sovereign appointments, which people cannot fully know and which all their toil cannot change (3:1;4:3)

       3. Because there are things better for people than the envy, greed and ambition that motivate such toil (4:4-16)

       4. Because the fruits of human labor can be lost, resulting in frustration (5:1;6:9)

  • Since people cannot fully know what is best to do or what the future holds for them, they should enjoy now the life and work God has given them (6:10;11:6)

    1. Introduction: What is predetermined by God is inalterable, and people cannot fully know what is best or what the future holds (6:10-12)

    2. People cannot fully know what is best to do (chapters. 7-8)

    3. People cannot fully know what the future holds (9:1;11:6)

• Discourse, Part 2: Since old age and death will soon come, people should enjoy life in their youth, remembering that God will judge (11:7;12:7)

  • People should enjoy their life on earth because their future after death is mysterious, and in that sense is meaningless for their present life (11:7-8)

  • People should enjoy the fleeting joys of youth, but remember that God will judge (11:9-10)

  • People should remember their Creator (and his gifts) in their youth, before the deteriorations of old age and the dissolution of the body come (12:1-7)

• Theme Repeated (12:8)

• Conclusion: Reverently trust in and obey God (12:9-14)

May we establish, nurture, and grow a sincere love for the word of God, and study it lovingly & faithfully.

I pray you receive this with the love intended, and apply it to wisdom.

May the joy of the Lord continue to be your strength.

Love you much.

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Blessed!

-Humble Servant

P.S- If you have not given your life to Jesus Christ, I implore you to take the time to do so right now. Use John 3:16 & Romans 10:9-10 as a foundation for making your confession of faith. And use Ephesians 2:1-10 to provide proper context for your salvation