Thursday, October 10 – Proverbs 29, Ecclesiastes 1

1. What happens to people without a vision (prophecy)? (Proverbs 29:18)

2. How does Solomon describe the passing of time? (Ecclesiastes 1:5)

3. Long before science discovered the water cycle, how did Solomon describe it? (Ecclesiastes 1:6-7)

4. Explain in your own words what you understand from Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes 1:15: “What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be numbered.” Can there be changes through human effort alone? What role does Jesus play in permanent change?

5. Explain the meaning of Ecclesiastes 1:18: “For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.”

In Proverbs 29, Solomon offers various pieces of advice, both for governing and private life. His topics range from controlling anger and pride to dealing with complicity in theft, cowardice, and corruption. Proverbs can be divided into adversative and complementary categories. The adversative ones present an initial phrase followed by a contrasting phrase to clarify the central idea. Adversative conjunctions separate these (but, yet, however). On the other hand, complementary proverbs are those where the second phrase reaffirms the meaning of the first.

Example of an adversative proverb: Proverbs 29:3

The first phrase: “Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice.”  Second phrase: “But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.”

Example of a complementary proverb: Proverbs 29:19

The first phrase: “A servant will not be corrected by mere words.” Second phrase: “For though he understands, he will not respond.”

The Law and the Testimony (also referred to as Prophecy) are interwoven throughout Scripture. God’s remnant people will have two characteristics: they will keep God’s commandments and have the testimony of Jesus (the Spirit of Prophecy).

“The name of this book in the Hebrew is Qoheleth. “Preacher.” This title the speaker applies to himself in eh. 1:12. Qoheleth probably refers to a “convener” of a meeting, or to the official “speaker” or “preacher” at such a gathering. The feminine form of the word in Hebrew and its use with a feminine verb in eh. 7:27 suggest the possibility that, as used in Ecclesiastes, this word designates not only Solomon as “preacher” but also divine Wisdom speaking through him. Figuratively, Wisdom addresses the people (Prov. 1 :20). Thus, Qoheleth appears both as the agent for the communication of divine wisdom, and again as Wisdom personified.” (SDA Bible Commentary, Introduction, Title)

“From the most ancient times, by universal consent, King Solomon has been considered the author of Ecclesiastes (see PK 85). The Hebrew descriptive phrase, “son of David, king in Jerusalem” (eh. 1:1), was considered sufficient proof in favor of Solomon as author.

It was also the unanimous opinion of all writers on Ecclesiastes, from earliest times to Martin Luther, that Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon were written by one author. It has been pointed out, however, that there are differences in literary style. But this difference in the style of Ecclesiastes, as compared with that of Proverbs and the Song of Solomon, may readily be attributed to different subject matter or to maturity of outlook at a later period of Solomon’s life. The Song might be attributed to the time of Solomon’s first love for God; Proverbs to a later period; and Ecclesiastes to his old age.” (SDA Bible Commentary, Introduction, Authorship)

Ecclesiastes 1 is based on the preacher’s words that everything in this life is “vanity” or illusion. The relentless cycles of creatures and things lead to the conclusion that there is nothing new under the sun and that all old things are forgotten. In the end, Solomon affirms that wisdom confirms this reality.

The word translated here as “grief” derives from a root that means “to be afflicted” or “to be provoked.” Excessive study causes insomnia and nervous exhaustion and sometimes negatively affects health. However, one should not conclude that Solomon supports the idea that ignorance is bliss. If one desires wisdom, one must study intensely, and continuous research depletes health and strength. It is also true that great knowledge does not necessarily indicate great character. The righteousness of Jesus Christ, received by faith, opens the door to the heavenly kingdom—something knowledge cannot achieve.

God bless you today.