Ecclesiastes 16

Ecclesiastes 1:2–3 CSB

2 “Absolute futility,” says the Teacher. “Absolute futility. Everything is futile.” 3 What does a person gain for all his efforts that he labors at under the sun?

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 1

8 All things are wearisome,

more than anyone can say.

The eye is not satisfied by seeing

or the ear filled with hearing.

9 What has been is what will be,

and what has been done is what will be done;

there is nothing new under the sun.

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 1

THE LIMITATIONS OF WISDOM

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 2

THE EMPTINESS OF PLEASURE

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 2

THE EMPTINESS OF POSSESSIONS

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 2

THE EMPTINESS OF WORK

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 3

THE MYSTERY OF INJUSTICE AND DEATH

Christian Standard Bible (Chapter 4)

THE LONELINESS OF WEALTH chapters 5-6

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 7

AVOIDING EXTREMES

Ecclesiastes 8:16–17 CSB

16 When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the activity that is done on the earth (even though one’s eyes do not close in sleep day or night), 17 I observed all the work of God and concluded that a person is unable to discover the work that is done under the sun. Even though a person labors hard to explore it, he cannot find it; even if a wise person claims to know it, he is unable to discover it.

Ecclesiastes 9:1 CSB

1 Indeed, I took all this to heart and explained it all: The righteous, the wise, and their works are in God’s hands. People don’t know whether to expect love or hate. Everything lies ahead of them.

God’s Sovereignty - Only God knows what will happen tomorrow.

Proverbs 16:33 CSB

33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

Acts 4:27–28 (CSB)

27 “For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, 28 to do whatever your hand and your will had predestined to take place.

But that doesn’t mean we know what will befall us tomorrow. Knowing that God not only knows, but is in total control should be a means of comfort to His children.

Ecclesiastes 9:2–3 CSB

2 Everything is the same for everyone: There is one fate for the righteous and the wicked, for the good and the bad, for the clean and the unclean, for the one who sacrifices and the one who does not sacrifice. As it is for the good, so also it is for the sinner; as it is for the one who takes an oath, so also for the one who fears an oath. 3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: there is one fate for everyone. In addition, the hearts of people are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live; after that they go to the dead.

Death awaits everyone.

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 9

4 But there is hope for whoever is joined with all the living, since a live dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead don’t know anything. There is no longer a reward for them because the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Their love, their hate, and their envy have already disappeared, and there is no longer a portion for them in all that is done under the sun.

Lions are majestic and powerful when they are alive

Dogs were viewed as the lowest of all creatures per Craig Bartholomew

Ecclesiastes 9:7–10 CSB

7 Go, eat your bread with pleasure, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart, for God has already accepted your works. 8 Let your clothes be white all the time, and never let oil be lacking on your head. 9 Enjoy life with the wife you love all the days of your fleeting life, which has been given to you under the sun, all your fleeting days. For that is your portion in life and in your struggle under the sun. 10 Whatever your hands find to do, do with all your strength, because there is no work, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.

Hedoinistic, Epicurians, Eat Drink and be Merry, for tomorrow we die.

** those who do not include God in their reckoning don't know how to count** itailian Proverb

Ephesians 1:4 CSB

4 For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 1

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 1

11 In him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 1

13 In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed

1 Corinthians 10:31 CSB

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.

7 Go, eat your bread with pleasure, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart, for God has already accepted your works.

Ephesians 5:31–33 CSB

31 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. 32 This mystery is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband.