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intro – On the wisdom and ignorance of King Solomon…

(A series of three quizzes from Ecclesiastes #3)

These scriptures answer the question… How can people with great earthly understanding and high IQ’s, not comprehend God’s purpose in life, while those who are considered less knowledgable do?
— Jesus told us of this in Mark 10:13-16 (CEV) Some people brought their children to Jesus so that he could bless them by placing his hands on them. But his disciples told the people to stop bothering him.  (14)  When Jesus saw this, he became angry and said, “Let the children come to me! Don’t try to stop them. People who are like these little children belong to the kingdom of God.  (15)  I promise you that you cannot get into God’s kingdom, unless you accept it the way a child does.”  (16)  Then Jesus took the children in his arms and blessed them by placing his hands on them.

So with that in mind let’s look into the understanding of one of history’s wisest of men…
King Solomon who’s thoughts are recorded in the book of Ecclesiastes.

(Click here forPDF copy of the intro page to this 3 page quiz)

Quiz on Wisdom #1 – God reveals that there is a time for everything…
(Circle the correct answer)

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (ESV) For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:  (2)  a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what 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 seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;  (7)  a time to tear, 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 for war, and a time for peace.

Q1. From Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, what life lessons can we learn from observing nature?

a/ Everything has a beginning and an end.     b/ Nothing lasts forever.     c/ Both a &b.

Q2. Does the idea of eternity confuse these ‘truths’?

a/ Yes, because the idea of the eternal means there is no end.

b/ No, the idea of eternity must be rejected because everything will end, even the stars will burn out.

Now from Ecclesiastes 3:2-8…

Q3. Does God’s creation ever feel totally at ease with the fact that there is a “time to die”?

a/ Yes, I have seen that God’s creatures are comfortable with death.

b/ No, I have never witnessed God’s creatures to be comfortable with death.

Q4. Why do you think in nature every creature fights so hard to live?

a/ Because death is foreign to them.     b/ Because they fear dying.     c/ Both a &b.

Q5. Does the Bible tell us that death was part of God’s original creation?

a/ No, we are told in Romans 5:12 “Adam sinned, and that sin brought death into the world. Now everyone has sinned, and so everyone must die.” (See also Genesis 3:3).

b/ Yes, why else would Adam and Eve need the ‘Tree of Life’ in Genesis 2:9?
– Interesting thought but it doesn’t agree with Romans 5:12… (KK)

Now I’m going to ask you to read Revelations 20:10… “and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
— A Bible study of angels will yield an understanding that they are spiritual beings, and when the fallen angels are tossed into the “Lake of Fire”, which the Bible calls the “Second Death”, they do not die but are tormented forever. (See Revelations 20:11-15)

Q6. So, what else in creation did God make that will live forever?

a/ Angels, both faithful and fallen angels (demons).     b/ Dinosaurs.     c/ Aliens.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 is a beautiful way of pondering mortality, however when viewed only through the wisdom of mortal man, it leads Solomon to the question he asks in our next quiz…
“What gain has the worker from his toil?”

(Click here for PDF copy quiz on wisdom #1)

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Quiz on Wisdom #2 – What gain has the worker from his toil?

We look further into the words of wisdom, proceeding to Ecclesiastes 3:9-15 (ESV) What gain has the worker from his toil?  (10)  I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with.  (11)  He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.  (12)  I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;  (13)  also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.  (14)  I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.  

(Circle the correct answer)

We start with Solomon’s understanding of man’s (and woman’s) earthly endeavors and ambitions.

Q7. Ecclesiastes 3:9 What ______ has the worker from his toil?

a/ pains     b/ gains     c/ loss

(Solomon here reveals his frustration with temporal labors)
Please note that he was one of the major players of development and construction in Earth’s history.

Q8. Ecclesiastes 3:10 I have seen the business that _____ ___ _______ to the children of man to be busy with.

a/ leaders have given     b/ ambition has given     c/ God has given

Q9. From your own understanding, would you say that constructive labor is healthy?

a/ Yes     b/ No

Q10. From Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
— What thoughts has God placed in the hearts of mankind?

a/ of ambition     b/ of wealth     c/ of eternity

Q11. From Ecclesiastes 3:12 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;
— What does Solomon note is the best for mankind?

a/ Having many wives and fame.    b/ Building mansions and wealth.    c/ Being happy and doing good.

Q12. From Ecclesiastes 3:13 (I perceived) also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.
— What things are listed here as God’s gifts to mankind?

Gifts of…   a/ provision and enjoyment of healthy labor.     b/ luxury and wealth.

Q13. Ecclesiastes 3:14 I perceived that whatever God does _________ __________; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.

a/ passes away     b/ endures forever     c/ matters not

Next, in Ecclesiastes 3:15-22 we will look at the failure of earthly wisdom to comprehend God.

(Click here for PDF copy quiz on wisdom #2)

Quiz #3 on the lack of knowledge of the Worldly Wise… (Including King Solomon)

Ecclesiastes 3:15-22 That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away. (16) Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness.  (17)  I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work.  (18)  I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts.  (19)  For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity.  (20)  All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.  (21)  Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth?  (22)  So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?

— Now we find the transition from the thoughts of there is nothing new under the sun… to the thoughts leading out of the statement, “God seeks what has been driven away.”

In Ecclesiastes 3:15-16 That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away. (16) Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness.
Q14. What has been “driven away” here that God is seeking?

a/ justice & righteousness     b/ wickedness & pleasure     c/ control & obedience

Q15. What has replaced that which God is seeking?

a/ ambition     b/ pleasure     c/ wickedness

Q16. Ecclesiastes 3:17 I said in my heart, _____ _____ _______ the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work.

a/ I will judge     b/ God will judge     c/ time will judge

From Ecclesiastes 3:18-20 I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts.  (19)  For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity.  (20)  All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.
Q17. What phrase from these verses is often repeated at funerals?

a/ from dust to dust     b/ all is vanity     c/ we are but beasts

Q18. What is revealed of Solomon’s understanding of death in these verses?

a/ we all die     b/ death is the end     c/ both a & b

From Ecclesiastes 3:21-22 Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth?  (22)  So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?”
Q19. What lack of Solomon’s understanding of death is revealed in these verses?

He doesn’t know… a/ if there is life after death     b/ if death is the end     c/ both a & b

— The simplest minds can grasp God’s wisdom in life when the most educated sometimes don’t understand.

— Solomon’s father King David knew things that his son lacked knowledge of…

About a heavenly knowledge of life after death…

SEE what King David wrote in Psalm 16:7-11  I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.  (8)  I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.  (9)  Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.  (10)  For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.  (11)  You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Q20. In Psalm 16:11… What is David saying about his knowledge of what comes after death?

He’s sure that…   a/ we all die.     b/ death is the end.     c/ God will not abandon him to Sheol.

Q21. What does Sheol mean?

It means…   a/ a coral reef.     b/ the world of the dead.     c/ eternal sleep.

(In Hebrew, Sheol simply means “the place of the dead”)

 

Q22. What words in Psalm 16:11 indicate David’s knowledge of eternal life?

a/ You make known to me the path of life;     b/ in your presence there is fullness of joy

c/ at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.     d/ All of these.

(Click here for PDF copy quiz on wisdom #3)

— So where did the ‘Wisest of Mortal Men’ mess up? SEE 1^st John 2:15-17  Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  (16)  For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.  (17)  And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

The simplest minds can grasp God’s wisdom in life when the most educated sometimes don’t.
I hope God’s Holy Spirit is able to give you understanding, reassurance, and comfort, as we close with what Jesus said about the judgment coming after death in Matthew 11:25-30 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;  (26)  yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.  (27)  All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.  (28)  Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  (29)  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  (30)  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

— If you don’t know about the ‘REST’ Jesus has for you, please contact a Christian and ask them for more information. You can also use the contact forms on my website to contact me…

— God bless, (KK).