A Study of Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon

$10.95

Ecclesiastes is among the most profound, influential, and enduring books ever written. It describes a grand experiment in pursuit of the meaning of life in a way no one else has conducted. The results are both dismal and fascinating: life “under the sun” is on one hand empty, oppressive, and unchangeable; yet if viewed properly, it is a life that can be understood, tolerated, and appreciated.

In this unique book of the Bible, the writer does not identify God as the God of Israel but as the Creator who has oversight of all He has created. God has also put limits upon His Creation, and humankind in particular, so that no one can undo what He has done or escape what He has imposed upon the mundane human existence. However, any person can be at peace with God who keeps His commandments and puts confidence in His providential care.

Song of Solomon is another unique book of the Bible, yet (sadly) is one of the least read of the entire Old Testament. It is a timeless and poetic story of love, passion, and anticipation of marriage. However, many have avoided it (or do not know what to do with it) because of its seeming absence of spiritual teaching and its sexually suggestive language.

Despite such avoidance, the Holy Spirit has preserved Song of Solomon for nearly three thousand years, and it has long been included in the canon of sacred literature. This book also provides excellent lessons concerning love, respect, fidelity, and an admiration for the opposite sex. In other words, it is worthy of our attention and deserves to be studied.

A Study of Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon provides introductory material, textual commentary and explanation, and questions for the reader(s) following each section. It offers a helpful and practical study of these two challenging books of the Old Testament.

Softcover, 203 pages

Availability: In stock

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction to Ecclesiastes
Section One: “All is vanity” (1:1-11)
Lesson One: Introduction to “Vanity” (1:1-2)
Lesson Two: The Great Question (1:3-11)
Section Two: Proof that “All is vanity” (1:12 – 6:12)
Lesson Three: Solomon’s Great Experiment (1:13-18)
Lesson Four: Proof from Experience (2:1-11)
Lesson Five: Proof from Observation (2:12-26)
Lesson Six: An Appointed Time for Everything (3:1-8)
Lesson Seven: God Is over Man, and Man Will Answer to God (3:9-15)
Lesson Eight: The Inevitable Destiny of All Earthly Life (3:16-22)
Lesson Nine: Human Oppressors and the Oppressed (4:1-6)
Lesson Ten: “Vanity” of Loneliness and among Royalty (4:7-16)
Lesson Eleven: Making Vows to God (5:1-9)
Lesson Twelve: Conflict between Riches and Contentment (5:10-20)
Lesson Thirteen: Struggles with Life (6:1-12)
Section Three: Counsel for Living in a Vain World (7:1 – 12:8)
Lesson Fourteen: Comparisons and Contrasts (7:1-14)
Lesson Fifteen: Balanced Perspectives (7:15-29)
Lesson Sixteen: Dealing with Evil (8:1-17)
Lesson Seventeen: Dealing with the Reality of Death (9:1-10)
Lesson Eighteen: Wisdom Is No Guarantee for Success (9:11-18)
Lesson Nineteen: Contrast of Wise and Foolish People (10:1-20)
Lesson Twenty: Sowing Good Seed (11:1-6)
Lesson Twenty-one: The Transience of Youth (11:7-10)
Lesson Twenty-two: The Inevitability of Physical Decline (12:1-8)
Section Four: Conclusion (12:9-14)
Lesson Twenty-three: The Preacher and His “Wise Words” (12:9-12)
Lesson Twenty-four: The Conclusion of the Matter (12:13-14)