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    E(eek)cclesiastes: Finding Meaning in a Meaningless Life
    E(eek)cclesiastes: Finding Meaning in a Meaningless Life
    E(eek)cclesiastes: Finding Meaning in a Meaningless Life
    Ebook97 pages58 minutes

    E(eek)cclesiastes: Finding Meaning in a Meaningless Life

    By Joyce H. Hondru

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    About this ebook

    As noted in the introduction of this study, I find Ecclesiastes to be an odd duck. I mean it isn’t a book filled with pearls of wisdom, like the book of Proverbs. And it isn’t a book filled with praise, like the book of Psalms. Nor, will you find it to be like many of the books in the Old Testament, which give a history of God’s chosen the people, the Israelites. And, you won’t find any major or minor prophet here either. In fact, this book, with all of the author’s laments about the meaninglessness and vanities of life, for the most part, can be downright depressing! Yet we know that all of the books in the Bible are there for a reason. So, while some people shy away from the book of Revelation because of its somewhat frightening and symbolic text and others skim over books like Leviticus, Numbers and Lamentations because of their dry, repetitive or mournful tone, I don’t want people, who love God’s word, to do the same with this book. I want my readers to see Ecclesiastes in a new light, from a new perspective. Finding a new approach was relatively simple. I didn’t consult a bunch of theological, heady books that provided someone else’s understanding of what the author, whom I believe to be King Solomon, was trying to say or was feeling when he wrote this book. Instead I simply sat down with my Bible, started reading at the beginning of chapter one and asked the Holy Spirit to open my eyes to what He wanted me and my readers to glean from this most unusual book. The title of the book, E(eek)clesiastes- How to Find Meaning in a Meaningless Life!, came to mind almost immediately. The EEK part, because of how crazy this book it, but the second part, the finding meaning part, because to me, this is the bottom line of what Solomon, consciously or unconsciously, brings to the table in this book. While he struggles throughout the entire twelve chapters of this book with life’s meaning he, through this struggle, actually reveals to us what there is in this life that does provide meaning. However, you really have to look for it. In addition, as one of reviewers of this book points out, like all of the books of the Old Testament, Ecclesiastes, is no different in pointing the way to the New Testament and thus to Jesus Christ and life eternal. She notes that I show “the reader how the books of the Old and New Testament are related, giving us a clearer understanding of what we read. By this we begin to see how it all relates to one work, the work of God through the Holy Spirit, the Holy Bible.” We have all struggled with the meaning of life. Consider walking through this book as we try to unravel what that meaning might be – together.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherThomas Nelson
    Release dateOct 2, 2018
    ISBN9781595558305
    E(eek)cclesiastes: Finding Meaning in a Meaningless Life
    Author

    Joyce H. Hondru

    Joyce H. Hondru is a retired financial planner, involved with youth, young adults and women’s ministry for over 30 years. Joyce is also an approved speaker for Stonecroft Ministries (aka Christian Women’s Clubs) and has written two other Bible studies, one called The Whole Armor of God and the other, on prayer, called What Do You Really Want?  She and her husband, Bryan, have homes in Pittsburgh, PA and Durango, CO, but love to travel.  See more about Joyce on her website www.re-joycestudies.com

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      Book preview

      E(eek)cclesiastes - Joyce H. Hondru

      INTRODUCTION

      Ecclesiastes is an odd duck. It is, at least in my opinion, one of the strangest books in the Bible.

      However, since I believe in God’s divine intervention in making sure that all the books in the Bible are there to help us understand Him better, I’m guessing it is included for a good reason.

      You may not be at all familiar with Ecclesiastes since it isn’t a text from which many sermons are preached (in my experience anyway). Or you may not know much about it because it is in the Old Testament or because no one has ever recommended it to you. However, this is precisely why I chose it. Personally, I wanted to delve into this rather obscure, at times depressing, book to see what gems of wisdom I could find—and I wanted to take you along for the ride.

      If you haven’t read this book before (you will find it just after Proverbs) please, please don’t get discouraged! Even though the author of this book continually makes you think that everything about this life is meaningless, remember the subtitle of this study: Finding Meaning in a Meaningless Life.

      At times, we all struggle with life’s meaning, so walking through this crazy book together should encourage us more than discourage us. In any case, that is my hope and prayer!

      Keep in mind, though, as with the other studies I have written, I don’t typically consult a lot of theological commentaries or biblical reference books. The reason for this is simple: I want to read the Word of God and hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to me. Therefore, please don’t expect an overly scholarly book. I am neither a biblical scholar nor a theologian. Thus, if anything you read herein conflicts with things you have read prior to this book or with sermons you have heard before, don’t fret. All scripture is somewhat open to interpretation, and my joy comes from taking it at face value and waiting to see what God reveals to me. Then I trust that He will allow both of us to learn from that revelation.

      It is also important to note that this isn’t a verse-by-verse study of this book. There are a lot of good commentaries that will help clarify, if you want to more clearly understand, any specific verse that gives you pause, or you simply don’t understand. In fact, the footnotes of many Bibles offer help. Mine, though, is an overview of this most interesting, at times perplexing, book, in which I have chosen to focus on what I felt were the most relevant points.

      Finally, as with my other studies, I believe it is most beneficial if this study is done within a small group (even though you could do it by yourself). However, the opinions, questions, and insights of others stir thought and discussion that cannot be obtained when doing the study alone. I also feel that if you are doing the study in a small group, it is good to read the paragraphs (what I have written) out loud, along with the questions. This is helpful for two reasons. One, reading the verbiage that goes along with the questions will help maintain the flow of the study and may stimulate deeper discussion. Two, reading this information for a second or third time helps reinforce (as repetition always does) what is being said and should help you better retain the message and/or its key points. No matter how you approach this study, though, may you grow closer to Christ as you study his Word.

      WEEK ONE

      A GRUMPY OLD MAN

      ECCLESIASTES

      CHAPTERS 1 AND 2

      Hmmmm, what an interesting couple of chapters, right? Life, it seems, is meaningless. And just to make sure the reader doesn’t miss this point, my Bible comes with these headings:

      Everything Is Meaningless

      Wisdom Is Meaningless

      Pleasures Are Meaningless

      Wisdom and Folly Are Meaningless

      Toil Is Meaningless

      Boy, what a great way to start a study! Stick with me, though. I promise it will get better.

      But before we begin dissecting these first two chapters, I think it is important to reflect on the person who wrote this book. Unfortunately, though, as is often the case with scripture, theologians disagree on who that person might be. However, for the sake of argument, and since the opening line says, The words of the Teacher (Preacher), son of David, king of Jerusalem… and verse 12 states I, the Teacher (Preacher), was king over Israel… I suggest we follow the more traditional belief that it was King Solomon (the son of David), who authored this book.

      (Keep in mind, it is not overly important that we agree on this book’s authorship, but it is important, however, that we agree that all scripture is God-breathed and

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