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ICEBREAKER
For an icebreaker to the Book of Proverbs, I like to start by showing some examples of funny bumper stickers I’ve seen over the years.
Here, are some of my favorites:
I thought I was indecisive. Now I’m not so sure.
Without Me, it’s just AWESO
Keep the dream alive: Hit the snooze button.
Yes, this is my truck. No, I won’t help you move.
Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.
Don’t steal. The government hates competition.
Be alert. The world needs more lerts.
Whenever I feel blue, I just start breathing again.
Do you follow Jesus this closely?
And some of you might remember the bumper sticker Elder Uchtdorf shared in one of his general conference talks a number of years ago. “Don’t judge me because I sin differently than you do.” (Conference Report, April 2012)
TRANSITION
Well, bumper stickers kind of remind me a little bit of the Book of Proverbs. Because typically, bumper stickers contain short, pithy statements that are clever, memorable, and to the point. They’re the kinds of thoughts that stick in your head. Well, that’s like Proverbs. It contains chapter after chapter of concise, insightful statements of wisdom. And, many of them really are the kinds of things you could slap on the back of your car. They are immediately applicable, chock full of good advice for life and how to live it better.
SEARCH
I think one of the best ways to approach the Book of Proverbs is to do an activity that allows your students to discover things more on their own, in a more personalized way. There is so much wisdom in here that you could spend countless class periods discussing the truths and insights it provides. And who’s to say which lessons are the most important? So I feel that a Proverbs lesson should give your students a taste of the kinds of things they can learn from this book. It should whet their appetite and give them a desire to go in and discover more on their own. And to attempt this, I like to use the following handout called “A Word to the Wise”. I think this can help to guide them to some of the insights that will be most applicable and helpful to them. So what they do is look through the scenarios listed in the column labeled “If this describes you” and they choose the phrases that they feel they most identify with. Then, the adjacent column will guide them to a number of Proverbs that speak to that particular concern or scenario. Give them about 10-15 minutes or however long you like and encourage them to study as many of the relevant scenarios as possible. Invite them to write down or keep track of the proverbs that they found most helpful. Then, for the remaining time in class, you can have them share their findings with another student, group, or the entire class. And I can almost guarantee you that the teachings of Proverbs are sure to generate some great discussion.
To help you understand some of the contents of Proverbs, we’ll go through each of the scenarios here.
I hate school. And is seminary/institute/Sunday School really that important?
We’ve got a few of these here because, if there were any theme from the Proverbs that stands out more than any other it would be this one. The importance of seeking wisdom. If you were to study the book as a whole and mark every verse that talks about wisdom or foolishness, the book would be filled with that color. I only selected a few examples here, but they abound in the Proverbs.
3:13
13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Wisdom and understanding bring happiness.
4:7-8
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
Educating our minds and our spirits is the principal thing. It’s one of the very purposes of our lives. Part of God’s plan for sending us here was so that we could gain knowledge, experience, and intelligence. “The glory of God is intelligence” (Doctrine & Covenants 93:36). If we seek wisdom, it will promote us and bring us to great honor. Knowledge is power.
4:13
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
8:11
11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
And then I had to throw this one in here:
17:12
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
In other words, it’s better to meet an angry, ferocious bear than a fool. Interacting with the fool will probably lead you to a worse fate.
I’m struggling to get along with my parents
3:11-12
11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:
12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
This is a truth we’ve seen before in the scriptures. Just because your earthly or heavenly parents chasten or correct you, does not mean that they are the enemy. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Typically, a parent corrects out of love because they care about the future and development of their child.
23:22-25
23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
So what’s the best way to make your parents happy? Seek truth, wisdom, and understanding. Then they’ll rejoice. Seek to the be the best person you can be.
I’m afraid I’ve got a bit of a potty mouth.
17:20
20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21:23
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Your mouth can get you into a lot of trouble. Learn to control your tongue, and you will save yourself a lot of future grief.
I don’t think I really need Church. I can figure life out on my own
3:5-6 (And you might recognize this as the youth theme for the year)
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
So, be careful not to think that you’re smarter than God. He’s been around for a long time and knows a little something about the best way to live. We experience life from a limited perspective. Therefore, it would do us well to trust in a God who has the ultimate eternal perspective. Trust him! And he’ll direct your paths. Allow me to try to illustrate this with a personal example. I love rope sports, and I’ve taken many a youth group rappelling. And I wonder how I would react, if, as I was explaining and rigging and guiding someone through the process of rappelling down a 100-foot cliff, if they looked at me and said, “I don’t want to do it like that! I’m going to do it my own way. I don’t need your silly instructions.” I try to imagine what I would say to that person. I might say. “No, no, no. Trust me, with all your heart. Don’t lean unto thine own understanding here. I know what I’m doing. I’ve been doing it for a long time. And I can guarantee your safety as long as you’re willing to trust me. But if you don’t, I can’t give you that guarantee.” I wonder if God ever feels like that with us. “Trust me,” he pleads, “I’ve been a God for a long time. I know what I’m doing. I know what leads to happiness and success in the end. I can guarantee your safety and well-being as long as you listen to my instructions.” Sadly, many “fall” in this life because they can’t or won’t learn the lesson of Proverbs 3. Listen to God and all will be well.
Work stinks, I wanna play!
Work vs. Laziness is another major theme of the book of Proverbs.
6:6-11
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
Don’t you love the beginning of that section, “Go to the ant, thou sluggard”. Learn from those hard-working insects you see. They don’t have a boss, or a guide, and yet they always have enough food to eat. They don’t need to be told what to do. They just get to work. And then, have you ever seen what happens when an anthill gets kicked over? Do the ants cry and hang their little ant heads and give up? No, they just get right back to work rebuilding. No hesitation. They don’t get discouraged or say, “Woe is me”. Maybe we could learn something from that. Maybe we could do the same when life kicks our ant pile down. Just get back to work.
13:4
4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
The lazy still have desires but aren’t willing to do anything about it. The diligent, however, are made fat. They have sufficient for their needs, and more.
26:13-14
13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
The lazy always seem to have some excuse for why they can’t do something or work. Oh, something bad might happen. There’s a lion in the streets. I guess I’ll stay here in bed. Do we ever do the same? Come up with all the possible dangers or obstacles that could get in the way of getting something done? Just like my old college roommate use to say. “Excuses are like armpits. Everybody has them, and they all stink.”
14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
Such a great image there.
I struggle with controlling lustful thoughts and desires. I also struggle with pornography
7:1-27 This of course is a longer section, but it is so good. This is one of the best places in the scriptures to discuss the more modern problem of pornography. You can view this chapter in a number of ways. The “strange woman” in this little story represents lust, in any form. Whether it’s immorality, adultery, pornography use, or any kind of sexual indulgence.
1 My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
4 Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
See, these are the things that will protect you from lust. Keep the commandments and seek wisdom and understanding.
5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
6 For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,
7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,
8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:
That’s usually where these kinds of things happen. In the darkness. In secret. Most will try to hide those things of a lustful nature from the rest of the world.
10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
11 (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
Oh, that’s such a good description, especially of pornography. Subtle, loud, stubborn. Always calling for attention and waiting at every corner. That’s the world we live in now. Pornography is available anywhere and everywhere. The internet is filled with pornography and many of the most popular tv shows, and movies of the day are filled with lustful, suggestive, or pornographic content.
13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,
14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.
15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
19 For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:
20 He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.
21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
That’s usually how it works. Always enticing and luring the unwise with her seductive bait. The pornographers and media moguls always make it seem like it’s pleasant, acceptable, natural, and won’t have any negative consequences. “Nobody gets hurt from pornography! This is just harmless entertainment. It’s a victimless crime!” they argue. Ummm. Really? No. Pornography kills love. It drives away the spirit in a person’s life, it hurts families, it hurts marriages, it takes away innocence. It can consume and addict and objectify people and often leads to other more serious sexual sins.
22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare,
(great word for pornography. It’s a snare. It’s a trap. And then this fabulous line . . .
and knoweth not that it is for his life. (like a bird excitedly pecking at the bait of a snare, at that moment of elation, he just doesn’t realize that his life is about to end)
24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
Sadly, I’ve seen that to be true. She has killed many a good and strong man and woman.
27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
Can you see why this is one of the most powerful places in scripture to discuss the dangers of lust and pornography?
9:16-18 Here is another set of verses along that same vein of thought:
16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
(that’s another seductive lure to the simple. Things done in secret are even better, more enjoyable.
18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
I struggle with gossiping about others
11:13
13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
You don’t have to go around airing everyone else’s dirty laundry. Those that conceal the matter, are the ones of a faithful spirit.
16:28
28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
Isn’t that true? When you go around whispering secrets, you will often succeed in separating the best of friends. I know I’ve seen that happen in some of my peer groups of the past.
18:8
8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
I know we’re fond of saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” What a bunch of baloney! Words have power. Words can be weapons. Words can do deep damage.
I want money! Gimme, gimme, gimme.
11:4
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
Your money will do you no good at the final judgment. Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven instead.
13:7
7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
What’s that saying? There’s more to life than money. How many of you know somebody who is rich, but miserable? And do you know anyone that is relatively poor, but happy? I knew of plenty of Brazilians on my mission who didn’t have much by way of physical property but were amongst the happiest of people I’ve ever met. I also know of many wealthy people who live stressed-out, empty, and unhappy lives. Money isn’t everything.
23:4-5
4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
Ever seen your money fly away like an eagle toward heaven? Prosperity is often fleeting, and it’s easy to blow through a financial windfall through greed and overindulgence.
Are you sure wickedness never was happiness? I know some wicked people that seem happy.
14:13
13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
Just because someone may look happy on the outside, doesn’t necessarily mean that all is well on the inside. You can never really know what’s in someone’s heart. Perhaps those who you perceive to be happy in wickedness, are really sorrowful and heavy on the inside.
23:17
17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.
24:19-20
19 Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked:
20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
There will be justice in the end of all things. So don’t look longingly towards the great and spacious building. There’s nothing to see or do over there besides mock the righteous. Wickedness is not a winning strategy. It will all come to naught in the end.
I’m beautiful and I know it.
11:22
22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
Isn’t that a great image! You’ve got this pig with a gold earring in its snout. No matter how valuable or stunning the earring, it’s still a pig. As wonderful and alluring as physical attractiveness can be, if there is no discretion, or wisdom or character behind it, it’s of little worth. If you are beautiful or handsome, wonderful, I hope you know who gave that gift to you. Be grateful for it. But if that’s all we have to offer the world and others, how unfortunate. We must develop our character, our spirituality, our intelligence, our charity. These are the kinds of things that will be of most worth to ourselves and others. Remember that when we are resurrected, that we will see and recognize and value the beauty in every person in that day and will no longer be blinded by the standards and conventions of worldly beauty anymore. All are beautiful and we will perceive all as such. So don’t make your outward appearance your identity.
How can I be a better woman, wife, or mother?
We’re going to take more time on this one, because womanhood is also a major theme of the book of Proverbs. In fact, interesting side note—the quality of “wisdom” is female in the book of Proverbs. It’s always referred to as a “she”. That shouldn’t surprise us as this is a common trait of righteous women. But there are warnings for women here too. Proverbs describes three different kinds of women. You have the sensuous, seductive woman, which, we already took a look at Proverbs chapter 7. You have the nagging, contentious woman who we see mentioned in 21:19.
21:19
19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
Similar ideas are expressed in 21:9, 25:24, and 27:15. And I know I’ve heard those verses quoted in a humorous context, but the sentiment is true. But it doesn’t apply just to women. It’s better to dwell in the wilderness than with a contentious and an angry man as well. That isn’t a lesson just for females.
But there is a third type of woman exemplified in the Proverbs—and that is the virtuous woman.
12:4
4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband
18:22
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.
19:14
14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord.
And then, in Proverbs 31 we get an extensive and detailed description of the value and the character of the virtuous woman. It paints her portrait for us. So let’s take some time here and learn the true definition of virtue.
31:10-31
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
This kind of woman is priceless in value. Far more valuable than jewels or any measure of financial wealth.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Priesthood holders are taught that their first and most important responsibility is toward their wives. It’s therefore fitting that the virtuous woman’s first responsibility is toward her husband, who trusts her judgment, her dependability, and her wisdom. One of her primary desires is to do good to her companion all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
The virtuous woman is industrious. She serves her family out of love and her selfless nature. I know I’ve seen this quality in my own wife who works incredibly hard to create a positive environment and a comfortable home for her family. The tasks of the virtuous woman can often be fatiguing, repetitive, or tedious, but she performs them with love and diligence.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
The virtuous woman is charitable, and her concern and love stretch beyond her own household. That’s one of the guiding principles of the Relief Society. And I really like the words “stretcheth” and “reacheth” in this verse. They suggest not only effort but also gentleness and compassion.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
That’s a great one. She is prepared for the future. Her foresight and anticipation of the needs of her family keep them safe and warm when more difficult times arise. This could also apply to spiritual preparation. She sees to it that she and her family are spiritually prepared for the storms of life. She has a calming influence on her family because she is “not afraid” of those things.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
The virtuous woman is strong in faith and honor and dignity. That’s what she wears. Where worldly women are scantily clad in vanity and sensuality, the virtuous woman modestly dresses in strength and honor.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
The language of the virtuous woman is both wise and kind. And notice the balance there. Both mind and heart. She speaks with wisdom and principle but speaks it with a tone of kindness. Her word is followed because it is wise.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
The virtuous woman is a hard worker and does not live at the expense of others.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
A virtuous woman’s children and husband are the main recipients of her virtue. They realize that their lives are profoundly blessed by her love and example. Though other women are also virtuous, her husband and children feel that she is the most virtuous above all. I’ve been blessed to be married to just such a woman, and I am indeed honored to :”Arise up” , “praise her”, and “call her blessed”.
And then the entire book of Proverbs ends with the crowning quality of the virtuous woman:
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
“Fear of the Lord” here means reverence and deep respect. The virtuous woman loves and respects her Father in Heaven. It is His favor that she seeks, not the worlds. Popularity, followers on Instagram, likes on Facebook, vain praise for her physical beauty, worldly success are not her desires or priority. She knows these things are fleeting and shallow. But reverence and respect for the Lord are what make her beautiful. She understands the importance of her role in fulfilling her divine destiny and part in the great plan of happiness for all of God’s children. She accepts the challenges and sacrifices that role demands with faith that her efforts will be pleasing to the Lord, who will one day exalt her in the gates of his eternal kingdom.
Proverbs 31 is so good, isn’t it. This and Doctrine and Covenants 25 are, in my opinion, probably the best verses on womanhood anywhere in the scriptures.
Is drinking alcohol really all that bad?
20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
23:29-30
29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
Alcohol consumption can certainly cause a lot of problems. How blessed we are to have the Word of Wisdom in our day to keep us from such calamities.
Is honesty really the best policy?
19:9
9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
20:17
17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
So, it may feel good to get away with a lie at first, but eventually, it will become like having a mouth full of gravel. Lying leads to more lying, and truth always seems to find a way of coming out.
Here’s a fun one:
I’m too shy to talk to the person that I’m romantically interested in.
27:5
5 Open rebuke is better than secret love.
Do you understand what that’s saying? It’s better to tell that person how you feel, and be rebuked or turned down, than it is to just go on forever secretly enamored by them. So take a chance! Who knows what might happen. They may rebuke you, but at least you’ll know!
I want more!
And that “I want more” attitude can apply to almost anything. What are the dangers of pursuing something at the expense of all others.
25:16
16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
Now, I know that’s a peculiar phrase and idea there, but when you think about, that’s a compelling principle. I It is possible to get too much of a good thing. This is a proverb about self-control. Just because something is sweet or good, doesn’t mean that’s it’s wise to just consume, and consume, and consume it. We need to learn to discipline ourselves and be temperate in all things. Whether it’s food, video games, work, money, recognition, entertainment, exercise, even spiritual pursuits. All these things are good, in balance. Anything can become a vice if taken to the extreme or overconsumed. We’ve got to develop the wisdom and self-control to only eat as much honey as we need before it causes us to vomit. And we could add 25:28 to this idea.
25:28
28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
CONCLUSION
Well, there are so many other Proverbs that I would love to share with you and oodles of other topics that are covered in this Old Testament gem. But I encourage you to seek those out on your own. Read through it with a marking pencil and just highlight the proverbs that speak to you, teach you, and motivate you. There is great wisdom to be found in the scriptures to all those who are willing to seek it. In the words of Jacob of the Book of Mormon: “O be wise, what can I say more?” (Jacob 6:12)
ECCLESIASTES
ICEBREAKER
Now the Book of Ecclesiastes is just a masterpiece of literary and spiritual thought. It is a favorite of mine. One of the highlights of this portion of the Old Testament. To introduce it, for an icebreaker, I just ask my students how they would fill in the following blank.
Happiness is _____________.
How would you define it or explain it to someone. And while my students were thinking about that, I may give them a few examples of how others have filled in that blank.
Henry David Thoreau said that:
"Happiness is like a butterfly, the more you chase it, the more it will elude, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder."
Mahatma Gandhi said:
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony.”
Charles Shultz said:
“Happiness is a warm puppy”.
Alma said:
“Wickedness never was happiness” So I think we could safely assume that he would complete that sentence by saying, “Happiness is righteousness”.
And then Joseph Smith. He said:
“Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God. “
"Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 256-257"
Some good definitions, right? And now, how do you define it? What nugget of wisdom would you add to our definition of happiness?
TRANSITION
Well that, just happens to be the big question of Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes, according to one translation, basically means “the preacher”. These are the words of a holy man or preacher amongst the Israelites, although some believe that Solomon is the author of this book. The preacher here has come to a rather sobering conclusion about life. What is it according to Ecclesiastes 1:2-4.
2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
Do you get what he’s saying there. He concludes all is vanity. That’s a word that you’re going to see come up over and over again in Ecclesiastes. If you look at the footnote for “vanity” at the bottom of the page, it says “empty, fleeting, or unsubstantial”. Have you ever felt that way about life? Life just seems empty sometimes. Purposeless. What are we doing here? Generations come, and generations go, to what end? That’s what the author is trying to discover. Where is the meaning and purpose and enjoyment in life?
Chapter 2:3 also highlights the purpose of this book:
Starting in the middle of that verse:
“till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.”
What should a person strive for in this life? How should they live? What’s the best way to live? And so to discover this, the preacher is going to try to determine where one finds meaning, or happiness, or purpose, and he’ll try a number of different things to see if they contain the answer.
SEARCH
And I’d like you to try and identify some of those things in the scriptures. Try the following activity. Read the selected verses and match them with the picture you feel best describes the area the preacher is looking for meaning or happiness in. So here we go.
2:1
2:4-11
2:12-14
2:18
5:8
11:9-10
2:1 What’s the match? F. The picture of the dance party
1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.
So he first tries to find meaning and happiness in a thing that I believe most people suspect will do it—pleasure. Mirth. Partying. Drinking. I believe a lot of college age young men and young women try this theory out, only to eventually come to the same conclusion Ecclesiastes does. It’s vanity. It’s meaningless. That lifestyle does not bring lasting joy or value. He continues in verse 2:
“2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?” It doesn’t work. That’s not the answer. So he tries something else.
2:4-11 What’s the match? D The picture of the man with the big bag of money.
He tries to find meaning in prosperity.
4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:
5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:
6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:
7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:
8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
9 So I was great,
(There’s some irony in that statement. Like, whoop-dee-do, who cares? So I was great)
and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
So he doesn’t find meaning in wealth and material gain. And I’d ask you if you think that’s true? Are all rich people happy? I think we could probably all find many examples of those who are not. In fact, I remember reading an article in Time magazine a number of years ago where a study showed that above a certain minimum threshold of income, which really wasn’t that high, having more and more money does not significantly increase a person’s happiness or enjoyment of life. And later in chapter 5, the preacher gives some of his reasoning for why wealth doesn’t work. Verses 10-16
10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?
(So those that seek for meaning in wealth are never really satisfied with what they have. They are always wanting more and more. There is always somebody richer to outdo. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them. That’s such a great analogy. The more you eat, the fatter you get, and the more you need to eat to maintain it. Or in other words, the more you have, the bigger your needs become. And eventually, the only good you get from more is just to behold it with your eyes. Some people become so wealthy that they can’t even spend it all. And so they just look it at. Watch the numbers increase. Store it up like Scrooge McDuck and his money bin)
12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
(Being rich isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. The laboring man can still enjoy a great night’s sleep after a day of honest work. But the rich are kept up worrying and wondering how he can get more. Riches can bring their owners hurt. Wealth may not be as desirable a state as we imagine)
14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.
15 As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.
16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?
What’s the point there? You can’t take it with you. Death comes to the rich and the poor, and our bank accounts and our possessions are going to do us no good in the next life. It’s all just wind. Dust in the wind.
So wealth doesn’t work. What’s next?
2:12-14
The answer is A. The picture of the brain and the math equations.
12 And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.
13 Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
14 The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.
So he’s going to try wisdom here, or intelligence, developing your mind, and learning things. Is that where true meaning comes? And he does come to a conclusion there in those verses. Wisdom exceedeth folly. So, intelligence and learning is better than being a fool. It’s a good thing. However, 15-17
15 Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.
16 For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.
17 Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
So learning doesn’t do it either. And he gives a couple of reasons for why he doesn’t find meaning in this either. Does intelligence keep life from happening to you? Do wise people get sick? Do wise people face hardship? Do wise people still die? Yes. As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to everyone. And another point he makes. There is no remembrance of the wise more than the fool. Everyone is eventually forgotten, even the brilliant and the clever. Now there may be a few names of the learned that we keep in mind, Einstein, Edison, Stephen Hawking, but most are forgotten. For example, do you know who the following people are? Hans Lippershey, Enrico Fermi, or Jonathan Ive? Probably not. Each one of them were geniuses I their own right, and yet, we forget them. Lippershey invented the telescope, Fermi the nuclear reactor, and Jonathan Ive, is still alive and invented something that I’m sure many of you have in your hands or pockets right now. He designed the Iphone and its interface, yet, had you ever heard of him before today? Eventually even the wise are forgotten and fade into obscurity. All is vanity.
So what will he try next?
2:18
18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.
Labor. Or work. We might say career even. The answer is B, the man working at the desk. Is that going to provide us with real meaning? The preacher says no. Because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. Then continuing . . .
19 And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.
20 Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.
So, who’s to say that the next guy in charge won’t come in and mess up everything you worked for. You pass your business on to your offspring and they run it into the ground or you leave all your wealth and property to your children, and they blow it all. That worldly ambition and success doesn’t guarantee permanent meaning. It’s vanity.
Next.
5:8
8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
I’ll admit that this one was a little more difficult to interpret. The answer is E. The man controlling the other people.
So we’re talking about power here. Oppressing the poor and running the show, perverting justice because you are in a position where you can. Many tyrants and dictators have tried this route and have brought death and destruction to many seeking to find meaning and success. Or how about the high-powered executive who doesn’t care who they have to steamroll over to get to the top. Is there fulfillment in this? Does it work?
The preacher says no. “For he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.” There’s always somebody more powerful out there. Always someone higher. Power doesn’t last. Eventually, rebellion, revolution, opposition, or death will come to pull you down. It’s the crabs in a bucket scenario. The more you fight to be the one on top, the more the rest of the world will seek to pull you down and crawl above you. So that doesn’t work.
Next 11:9-10
9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
The answer is C. The youth sign. Can you find meaning in youth? Nope. He says that we should enjoy it, as a gift from God, but that too is fleeting. Nobody stays young forever. So if you only find meaning in the vitality, the ambition, or the beauty of youth, you are destined to lose that meaning eventually. Everyone ages. Vitality and strength diminish as you get older, ambition crumbles, and beauty fades. Finding all meaning only in youth, is also vanity.
SO, WHAT IS THE ANSWER?
So, what’s a person to do then? Does the preacher ever find the purpose? The meaning? Or is everything just vanity. Is life meaningless? No. He does come to some conclusions. And I really love the conclusions that he comes to. And, oh, I wish we could take the time to walk through every chapter of Ecclesiastes verse by verse because it is rife with meaning and insight. We won’t do that; this video is longer than usual already. But let’s take a look at the group of the following references together to get a feel for what it is that the preacher discovers and recommends.
3:1-11
3:12-13
3:22
7:14
8:12
9:7-10
12:13-14
3:1-11 Here are the verses made famous by “The Byrds” if you’re familiar with that song from the 60’s.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
What’s the conclusion? Realize that there is a time for everything. Now I don’t think that these verses are justifying things like war and hate and killing, but just saying that, in your life, you are very likely to encounter both sides of the spectrum. The opposition in all things. You will experience both bad times, and good times in your life. Positive experiences and negative experiences. Building and tearing down. Laughing and mourning. Peace and war. You can’t stop the world from turning and bringing both the light and the dark sides of mortality from affecting you. And you know, just realizing that, I believe, can help us to live a little better, a little more stoically. Life can’t be all good, all the time. So instead of fighting it, let life happen, good and bad, and don’t feel like you’ve been cheated, or misused, or deceived if you find suffering, pain, and difficulty along the way. This is mortality. Take it for what it is. And God can make all things beautiful in their time. He can make good out of anything—even the negative.
Then these excellent verses follow.
3:12-13
12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
So where does mankind find meaning in this ever-shifting life of experiencing good and bad. Enjoy the good and endure the bad. Do good and appreciate what God has done for you and given you.
3:22
22 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
Be content with your portion. Play the hand you’ve been dealt as best you can. Rejoice in what you can do and what you have control over. Forget the rest. I like something he says in 9:11
11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
What’s his conclusion? Life isn’t fair. Time and chance happen to everyone. So don’t expect fairness in life. If you do, you’re bound to be disappointed. So, as I said, play the hand you’ve been dealt and be grateful for it, rather than comparing and competing with everyone around you.
7:14
14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
Now that’s some good advice. When things are good, be joyful in your prosperity. And when the day of adversity comes, learn from it. Consider it. That’s one of the ways God can make “all things beautiful in their time”. We gain experience, strength, and wisdom from experiencing the difficult things of life.
And you know, there is another set of verses that I’ll throw in here that add to that thought. 7:2-5
2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
Do you get what he’s saying there? It’s better to go to a funeral, than a party. You’ll learn more from it. It’s better to cry than to laugh, you’ll gain more experience from it. It’s better to be chastised than praised because it makes you a better person. What a fascinating take on adversity. When we look at the “negative and difficult” in that way, we might even find ourselves grateful for it.
8:12
12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:
There’s a huge key to finding meaning in life. Fear God. Respect his commandments and it will be well with us. Guaranteed.
9:7-10 is where he really lays it out for us:
7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.
8 Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.
9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.
10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
So, enjoy life. Find joy in the journey. “Whate’r thou art, act well thy part” is what verse 10 is saying. If it’s a job worth doing, it’s a job worth doing well, like my Mom used to say. So live, love, work, be obedient and experience mortality, with all its ups and downs.
And then, most importantly, the final conclusion of Ecclesiastes:
12:13-14
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
What’s the most important thing to keep in mind about life? Keep God’s commandments. Do that, and you’ll be fine. It doesn’t really matter what happens to you. There are way too many things that are out of your control. But you can control your own obedience. And if you do, in the end, all will be well.
TRUTH
So, if we could sum up the main thrust of the Book of Ecclesiastes, we might put it this way:
Meaning and happiness in life come from obedience and contentment with what God has given us. Or more simply put: Do what’s right and find joy in the journey.
LIKEN THE SCRIPTURES
What’s your opinion on this conclusion? Do you think Ecclesiastes gets it right?
Why or why not?
How could you apply what you’ve learned here today in your own life?
CONCLUSION
Now I can only speak for myself, but I really love the book of Ecclesiastes and its message. I believe it holds a great key to enjoying life and mortality. Happiness comes through righteousness. The more I live, the more I’m convinced of that truth. That’s what the gospel and God’s commandments are all about. They are a manual for good living—for happy living—for meaningful living. Choosing the right is choosing joy. And then, with everything else that comes our way, we can accept it as a part of the mortal experience. We can learn to love all that life has to offer, good and bad. Come what may and love it. Don’t resist life. Amor fati—the love of fate. Don’t allow cynicism, and discouragement, and pessimism make you miserable. Don’t run around complaining about the fact that life isn’t fair. Live your life. Now I’ve endeavored deeply to implement this philosophy into my own life, and I can tell you from experience that it works. I’ve often been told that I have a very easy-going personality and that not much worries or upsets me. I credit that to trying to live an Ecclesiastes kind of life. And it’s not a bad way to go. Try it! I believe it can make all the difference in the meaning and happiness that you find in this mortal experience we’ve all been given.
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