Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
ECCLESIASTES STUDY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
The Professor invites us on a quest for true treasure, but he does so by taking us through the land of empty treasures. What is the empty treasure he holds up for us to examine in Ecclesiastes 1:12-18?
How can intelligence, knowledge, and wisdom be bad treasures? What context must we remember in order to understand the type of wisdom the professor is talking about (cg. Ecc 1:13 and 14)?
Why is accumulating human knowledge and wisdom ultimately a miserable, futile work?
Is it possible to know all that there is to know? Why not? What does that teach us about ourselves and
God (cf. Job 37:16, 1 John 3:20, Matt 10:29-30)?
In verse 15, the Professor uses a metaphor to explain that no amount of knowledge can fix our broken world or hearts. Why is the world crooked, and why isn’t information, education, or knowledge enough to straighten it?
Why is it so important for us to understand that human wisdom is incomplete and insufficient?
Though the Professor “acquired great wisdom, surpassing all,” and his wisdom was legendary, what is his final analysis according to Ecclesiastes 1:17b-18? If he can’t find meaning in life through amassing knowledge, then who can?
Rather than find our meaning, purpose, and identity in knowledge, what does Jeremiah 9:23-24 call us to do? Why does a right relationship with God precede and lead to right knowledge (cf. Prov 1:7 and 9:10)?
In contrast to human wisdom under the sun, what do we gain in the wisdom of God, according to Proverbs 8:35-36?
What dangers exist if education alone could make us whole? What does Paul say in 1 Corinthians 1:21-24 that helps us understand Ecclesiastes 1:12-18? How does Jesus fulfill and surpass all that we seek in human wisdom (cf. Col 2:3)?
How does understanding the message of Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 help us live more meaningful lives here and now? What will you take away and apply this week from our study?
