Insights on Jacob and Rachel's Story
Ecclesiastes (28)
Trying to Figure It Out
Ecclesiastes 8:10-17
About this section
•
We continue our study of the second
half of Ecclesiastes, we are addressing
some thoughts about wisdom.
•
Having addressed, rulers and their
subjects, we now find some perplexing
things about life.
“Life is not fair” (
cf. 1 Corinthians
15:19
)
The wicked buried and forgotten (
8:10
)
•
A challenging verse
•
All will die as has been noted, both
good and bad (
9:1-12
)
•
But there are times the wicked
receive an honorable burial and are
treated as if they were good.
- Consider Biblical history – often
the wicked were not honored
The wicked buri
e
d and forgotten (
8:10
)
•
When the wicked are honored
•
Today, preachers will preach the
wicked into heaven
•
While I’m not the judge and believe
bodies should be treated with
respect, I know better than to put
myself in the place of God.
The wicked buri
e
d and forgotten (
8:10
)
•
Also noted that when the wicked
die, they are soon forgotten, even in
the city of their wickedness.
•
Consider: How often do we fail to
remember wickedness and learn?
Consider
Romans 15:4,
1 Corinthians 10:6ff.
We MUST learn from history.
When we delay punishment (
8:11
)
•
Frustrating, but so true
•
When we fail to deal swiftly with evil,
we are creating more evil.
•
Government ordained for this
–
Romans 13:3-4, 1 Peter 2:13-
14
•
A wicked government calls good
evil, and evil good –
Isaiah 5:20
When we delay punishment (
8:11
)
•
Point: Ignored wickedness WILL
NOT last. Such will destroy a
society or nation.
•
Why?
Therefore the heart of the
sons of men is fully set in them to do
evil
. The “slap on the wrist” does
not stop wickedness
When we delay punishment (
8:11
)
•
Thought: I believe one reason this
world is so wicked is because God
does not execute vengeance speedily.
•
However, He has a reason
– he is
longsuffering (
2 Peter 3:9
). Imagine
if all punishment was like Nadab &
Abihu, Uzzah or Ananias and Saphira
•
But He CAN and will judge all justly –
2 Thessalonians 1:6-9
When we delay punishment (
8:11
)
•
He has entrusted us with the
responsibility to praise Him and
punish wickedness.
Whether government, in the home
or in the church.
To ignore this will result in the same
thing – more evil
A day of reckoning (
8:12-13
)
•
Though a sinner does evil a
hundred times and prolongs his
days
•
We see in this life how the wicked
do often prosper (
cf. Psalm 2:1
)
•
But in the end, who will be ok?
2 Thessalonians 1:7
– those who
fear God
A day of reckoning (
8:12-13
)
•
It will not be well with the wicked
•
His days will not last forever (even if
prolonged)
•
Note the difference: Fearing God
The righteous fear Him –
Eccl.
12:13-14, Hebrews 12:28-29
The wicked do not -
cf. Romans
3:18
The vanity of iniquity (
8:14-15
)
•
A continuation of previous point
•
Sometimes the just suffer – we are
to expect it!
2 Timothy 3:12,
1 Peter 4:12-13, etc.
•
Sometimes the wicked prosper.
•
Life sometimes is unfair!
The vanity of iniquity (
8:14-15
)
•
But even in its unfairness, you can
control your attitude!
•
Enjoy what you have, whether little
or much. This ATTITUDE is how
you deal with the inequities
•
We have examples – Paul and Silas
Acts 16:25,
Joseph, Daniel, etc.
You cannot outthink God (
8:16-17
)
•
You can think about what is wrong
all day long (and even lose sleep
over it)
•
But what does that accomplish?
Jesus tells us not to worry
(
Matthew 6:24-34
)
You cannot outthink God (
8:16-17
)
•
You will never be able to outthink God.
•
We know so much more now than in
times past, but there is so much more
we do not know.
•
You will NOT figure out the work of
God, unless He wants you to
(
1 Corinthians 2:10-11
)
Understand -
Isaiah 55:8-9, 40:13,
Romans 11:33-36, 9:20
You cannot outthink God (
8:16-17
)
•
You will never be able to outthink
God.
•
He is still in control! You cannot
predict the future. He can!
You can make wise judgments and
plan, but know life is uncertain!
You cannot outthink God (
8:16-17
)
•
You will never be able to outthink God.
•
Think about 2020. At any moment the
wicked who are prospering can be
brought to nothing. The righteous can
be exalted. Things can drastically
change.
•
The wise man realizes he is not in
control –
2 Corinthians 5:7
No matter what happens,
will you trust God?
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Let us pray!
Explore the intriguing tale of Jacob and Rachel from the book of Genesis, delving into themes of deception, justice, and spiritual lessons. Discover how their relationships and decisions unfold, leading to a contest for love and the complexities of family dynamics. Gain valuable perspectives on morality, consequences, and divine intervention as portrayed in this biblical narrative.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Ecclesiastes (28) Trying to Figure It Out Ecclesiastes 8:10-17
About this section We continue our study of the second half of Ecclesiastes, we are addressing some thoughts about wisdom. Having addressed, rulers and their subjects, we now find some perplexing things about life. Life is not fair (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:19)
The wicked buried and forgotten (8:10) A challenging verse All will die as has been noted, both good and bad (9:1-12) But there are times the wicked receive an honorable burial and are treated as if they were good. - Consider Biblical history often the wicked were not honored
The wicked buried and forgotten (8:10) When the wicked are honored Today, preachers will preach the wicked into heaven While I m not the judge and believe bodies should be treated with respect, I know better than to put myself in the place of God.
The wicked buried and forgotten (8:10) Also noted that when the wicked die, they are soon forgotten, even in the city of their wickedness. Consider: How often do we fail to remember wickedness and learn? Consider Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:6ff. We MUST learn from history.
When we delay punishment (8:11) Frustrating, but so true When we fail to deal swiftly with evil, we are creating more evil. Government ordained for this Romans 13:3-4, 1 Peter 2:13- 14 A wicked government calls good evil, and evil good Isaiah 5:20
When we delay punishment (8:11) Point: Ignored wickedness WILL NOT last. Such will destroy a society or nation. Why? Therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. The slap on the wrist does not stop wickedness
When we delay punishment (8:11) Thought: I believe one reason this world is so wicked is because God does not execute vengeance speedily. However, He has a reason he is longsuffering (2 Peter 3:9). Imagine if all punishment was like Nadab & Abihu, Uzzah or Ananias and Saphira But He CAN and will judge all justly 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9
When we delay punishment (8:11) He has entrusted us with the responsibility to praise Him and punish wickedness. Whether government, in the home or in the church. To ignore this will result in the same thing more evil
A day of reckoning (8:12-13) Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his days We see in this life how the wicked do often prosper (cf. Psalm 2:1) But in the end, who will be ok? 2 Thessalonians 1:7 those who fear God
A day of reckoning (8:12-13) It will not be well with the wicked His days will not last forever (even if prolonged) Note the difference: Fearing God The righteous fear Him Eccl. 12:13-14, Hebrews 12:28-29 The wicked do not - cf. Romans 3:18
The vanity of iniquity (8:14-15) A continuation of previous point Sometimes the just suffer we are to expect it! 2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Peter 4:12-13, etc. Sometimes the wicked prosper. Life sometimes is unfair!
The vanity of iniquity (8:14-15) But even in its unfairness, you can control your attitude! Enjoy what you have, whether little or much. This ATTITUDE is how you deal with the inequities We have examples Paul and Silas Acts 16:25, Joseph, Daniel, etc.
You cannot outthink God (8:16-17) You can think about what is wrong all day long (and even lose sleep over it) But what does that accomplish? Jesus tells us not to worry (Matthew 6:24-34)
You cannot outthink God (8:16-17) You will never be able to outthink God. We know so much more now than in times past, but there is so much more we do not know. You will NOT figure out the work of God, unless He wants you to (1 Corinthians 2:10-11) Understand - Isaiah 55:8-9, 40:13, Romans 11:33-36, 9:20
You cannot outthink God (8:16-17) You will never be able to outthink God. He is still in control! You cannot predict the future. He can! You can make wise judgments and plan, but know life is uncertain!
You cannot outthink God (8:16-17) You will never be able to outthink God. Think about 2020. At any moment the wicked who are prospering can be brought to nothing. The righteous can be exalted. Things can drastically change. The wise man realizes he is not in control 2 Corinthians 5:7
No matter what happens, will you trust God? Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
