Tag Archives: Bible study

The Value of Wisdom

Posted on October 29, 2016 by Don Merritt

All this I tested by wisdom and I said, “I am determined to be wise”— but this was beyond me. Whatever exists is far off and most profound— who can discover it? Ecclesiastes 7:23-24 The value of wisdom is that … Continue reading →

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Wisdom Brings Restraint

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Don Merritt

“Restraint” is everyone’s favorite concept, but it is a quality of the wise. Even outside of relationship with God, a wise person learns self restraint. To be sure, a person doesn’t even need to be all that wise to understand … Continue reading →

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Moderation is Wise

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Don Merritt

In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: the righteous perishing in their righteousness, and the wicked living long in their wickedness. Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise— why destroy yourself? Do not be overwicked, and … Continue reading →

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Patience is Better Than Pride

Posted on October 27, 2016 by Don Merritt

Ecclesiastes 7:8-14 Our most excellent adventure now moves into the second of the sections in chapter seven: Patience. Yes dear reader, I am going over this one carefully myself, since patience is really not my strongest suit! The topic is … Continue reading →

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Maybe We Should be Serious

Posted on October 27, 2016 by Don Merritt

Ecclesiastes 7:1-7 Chapter 7 is a chapter of wisdom, and reads much like the Proverbs. It covers three subjects, the first of which is being serious here in vv. 1-7. This section, in turn, is divided into three subsections. The … Continue reading →

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Wealth, an Insatiable Desire… and Alfred Hitchcock

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Don Merritt

Ecclesiastes 6 Some time back I watched an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents from 1955; oh what a great show! This episode was a story about a man who owned and operated a shop that sold antiquities, and opens with … Continue reading →

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Wealth: Bad News, Good News

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Don Merritt

Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 This is an interesting section; the Teacher gets into some reasons why wealth is meaningless, and then there’s a little twist at the end. Verses 10-11 speak of the meaningless nature of the love of money; what’s the … Continue reading →

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Worship, Vanity and the Fool’s Sacrifice

Posted on October 25, 2016 by Don Merritt

Ecclesiastes 5:1-9 Up to this point in our adventure, the Teacher hasn’t spoken about worship, at least not directly, but that changes in this passage; oh what an excellent adventure we are on; old Solomon doesn’t seem to miss anything! … Continue reading →

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Problems Under the Sun

Posted on October 25, 2016 by Don Merritt

Ecclesiastes 4 Our vantage point has returned to the life of people apart from God where it will remain from 4:1 – 6:9. Our adventure in chapter 4 is a most excellent one, for we will see earthly life as … Continue reading →

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Justice on Earth and Beyond

Posted on October 24, 2016 by Don Merritt

Ecclesiastes 3: 16-22 Our most excellent adventure now examines the state of judgment both here on earth, and in heaven. Before we look at the text, I would be remiss if I didn’t remind you that we are still within … Continue reading →

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