Wisdom and Vanity - Ecclesiastes 5-7 - Steve Gregg

https://thenarrowpath.com | Channel not run by Steve Gregg | Steve Gregg examines Ecclesiastes chapters 5 through 7, highlighting Solomon’s (Qoheleth’s) reflections on life’s vanities under the sun while interspersing reliable wisdom. He stresses honoring vows to God, the perils of loving money over God, the gift of enjoying labor and simple blessings, the brevity of life urging humility and generosity, and the value of wisdom tempered by folly’s correction. Amid pessimism, Gregg underscores fearing God, keeping commandments, and relational accountability as anchors against
futility. | Transcript: https://opentheo.org/i/69625650239148...

Outline
• Introduction: Solomon’s Perspective and Approach to Ecclesiastes 5-7
– Resuming study: From chapter 5; blend of reliable advice and pessimism
reflecting "under the sun" view (worldly, God-excluded lens)
– Solomon’s piety: Compromised by idolatry yet retained awareness of God
(Elohim, generic term; not Yahweh, covenant name)
– Purpose: Shares past thoughts during pursuits of meaning; fear of Yahweh as wisdom’s start (Proverbs contrast)
– Lecture style: Thematic blocks; cynicism conveys emptiness, but good counsel emerges periodically

• Ecclesiastes Chapter 5: Vows, Wealth, and Enjoyment
– Guarding words: At temple, fulfill vows swiftly (5:1-7) better not vow than
vow and not pay; God hears rash promises
– Oppression and vanity: Officials oppress, no end to evil (5:8); riches bring
sorrow, not satisfaction (5:10-11)
– Wealth’s futility: Hoarded, lost, or left to fool (5:13-17); toil for unseen
heirs vanity, vexation
– Joy as gift: Enjoy food, labor, God’s portion (5:18-20); present contentment amid uncertainty

• Ecclesiastes Chapter 6: The Vanity of Unenjoyed Blessings
– Evil observed: Wealthy, childless, long-lived yet unenjoyedvanity, worse than death (6:1-6)
– Striving wind: All labor for mouth, yet unsatisfied (6:7); wisdom sees this,
but increases sorrow (6:8-9)
– Named yet unknown: Ten workers under one shepherd - vanity; God determines outcomes (6:10-12)
– Theme: Possessions without enjoyment meaningless; divine sovereignty over human plans

• Ecclesiastes Chapter 7: Wisdom’s Value and Life’s Contrasts
– Better things: Sorrow over laughter (7:1-4)death teaches, house of feasting fools
– Patience and rebuke: Endure correction from wise over fool’s praise (7:5-9); anger rests in bosom
– Justice vs. wickedness: Righteous perish, wicked prospervanity (7:15); avoid extremes
– Wisdom’s limits: Excellent but unattainable (7:23-24); snares abound, man no better than beast (7:25-29)
– Folly’s role: Balances wisdom; one sinner destroys much good (7:20,26)

• Broader Themes: Humility, Generosity, and God-Fear
– Brevity of life: Like shadow; prompts humility, generosity, cast bread on waters (11:1, implied)
– Temptation’s danger: Seductive women as snares (7:26); follow God’s laws for protection
– Accountability: God weighs actions; relationships foster success, two better than one (4:9-12, echoed)
– Ultimate anchor: Fear God, keep commandments (12:13) duty amid vanity; enjoy blessings gratefully

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