Eccles1v1 INTRODUCTION

I suppose I was drawn to study Ecclesiastes because I am by nature pessimistic like the Teacher. The Teacher was putting a case for the meaninglessness of life which he expected others to refute - if they could! Underlying the Teacher's pessimism is the inevitability of death. He had no hope. Therein lies the chief difference between his and the Christian's outlook. I am by nature, but not by conviction, pessimistic. As a Christian I believe in both the providence and grace of God. I know that I can depend upon the promise of Jesus to give eternal life to all who believe in him. Nevertheless the arguments of the Teacher are not without significance. We have all been appalled by the futility, unfairness and loneliness of life. It is important to have strategies for coping when we are lonely, unrecognised, forgotten and treated unfairly. In these expositions I share with you how I cope with these problems all of which I have experienced.

I used the Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes and Michael A Eaton's commentary in the Tyndale series to help me understand the meaning of the text. Warren W. Wiersbe's little book on Ecclesiastes entitled, 'Be Satisfied,' provided me with many good ideas.

ANY COMMENTS FOR JOHN REED: E-mail jfmreed@talktalk.net

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