29 March, 2024

Lesson for August 18, 2019: Fear the Lord (Ecclesiastes 3:14; 8:10-13; 12:13, 14)

by | 12 August, 2019 | 0 comments

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 9 (weeks 32-35; August 18—September 8, 2019) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com.

________

Lesson Aim: Know that the fear of the Lord brings significance to life.

________

By Mark Scott

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve did not have to wonder about their significance. They had been created by God in his image (Genesis 1:26, 27). Their identity was not an issue. But when sin stained the planet their identity and sense of significance was compromised and marred. Humankind continued to search for significance until it reached an apex in the account of the Tower of Babel. The people wanted to “make a name for themselves” (11:4). Bruce Parmenter said, “They had to reach so high because they felt so low” (What the Bible Says About Self-Esteem). Any search for significance without God in the picture will end in desperation. This lesson and the three that follow will deal with the theme of significance from the book of Ecclesiastes.

The books that comprise the wisdom literature of the Bible (primarily Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs) help balance one another. Proverbs says, “Live according to this wisdom and all will be well.” Job says, “Not so fast. It does not always work that way.” Ecclesiastes says, “Life is meaningless.” Song of Songs says, “Not if you find true love.” Some people think Ecclesiastes is just a pessimistic book written by a grouchy old king. Actually, it is a scientific experiment to make sense of life “under the sun” (without God in the equation). Today’s lesson says, “If you fear the Lord, you will find significance.”

Fear the Lord Because What God Does, Lasts | Ecclesiastes 3:14

Solomon announced the book’s theme (meaninglessness) in chapter one. In chapter two, he surveyed attempts (wine, women, and wisdom) at finding significance. In chapter three he added “time” to the component of this search. There is a time for everything (3:1-8). God made everything beautiful in its time and put eternity in the hearts of people (vv. 8-13)—see Don Richardson’s book, Eternity in Their Hearts, about how God has placed redemptive analogies in every culture.

The purpose of this “time” argument is that people would fear the Lord. In contrast to what time-bound humans do, God’s activities endure forever. Solomon said that he “knew” (know intimately or well) that. The Bible uses the word forever just like we do. Sometimes it meant “unending.” Sometimes it meant “a long time.” Context makes clear that the former meaning is being intended here. No addition or subtraction is needed. God’s activities endure. In contrast, human life is a vapor (James 4:14).

Fear the Lord Because God Will Judge the Wicked | Ecclesiastes 8:10-13

Solomon’s search for wisdom led him to compare the rich and the poor (chapter 4), consider worship (chapter 5), consider the value of food and work, and contrast the wise with the foolish (chapters 6, 7). In chapter 8 Solomon stressed the importance of obeying the king because he is God’s representative and stressed the importance of doing God’s will even though at times it might not seem worth it.

One temptation for the righteous person is to believe the lie that the wicked “get away with it.” This is mentioned in the Bible many times (see Psalm 73 in particular). It seems that their wickedness is not punished or is at least delayed indefinitely. They even live longer than the righteous at times. But Solomon reminded his readers that the wicked (the first word for evil in the Bible) get buried too. They might look like they hang around the temple and receive praise from others (see John 12:43), but, in the end, the praise they receive is meaningless (the key word in Ecclesiastes meaning “vapor or mist”). Solomon reminded his readers that it still goes better for those who fear God and are reverent. If the wicked lengthen their days, it will be like a shadow.

Fear the Lord Because That Is the Whole Duty of All People | Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14

Preaching and teaching from Ecclesiastes is challenging because of the temptation to get to the conclusion too soon. It does help to work through the book so as to arrive at this large crescendo. But the best argument for fearing the Lord is that, at the end of the day, it is the “whole” of life. [The word duty is supplied by the translators. The text actually just says, “This is the ‘whole’…of all mankind”.]

Everything has been heard (see Deuteronomy 6:4). The conclusion of this matter (word)—fearing God and keeping his commandments (what Jewish boys learned by age 12) is what matters in life. Since God is the judge for good or evil, and he will bring hidden things into the open (Matthew 10:26), serving him with everything is the only thing that makes sense in life.

________

Lesson study ©2019, Christian Standard Media. Print and digital subscribers are permitted to make one print copy per week of lesson material for personal use. Lesson based on the scope and sequence, ©2019 by Christian Standard Media. Scripture quotations are from the New International Version, ©2011, unless otherwise indicated.

<a href="https://christianstandard.com/author/markscott/" target="_self">Mark Scott</a>

Mark Scott

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. He also serves as minister with Park Plaza Christian Church in Joplin.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: Impact Christian Church (Moon Township, Pa.) is seeking an executive pastor. The Christian Campus Foundation (CCF) at the University of Illinois is seeking a full-time director of campus ministry. New Brighton (Minn.) Christian Church needs a new senior minister. Summit Christian College (Gering, Neb.) is accepting applications for the position of academic dean. And more . . .

Stories

By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .

Documentary Highlights Christian Response to Pandemics

Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.

Used of God

I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.

Sam E. Stone: ‘He Tried to Speak the Truth in Love’

In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.

Elliott Library ‘Cornerstone’ Laid

Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.

The Death of Evil

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.

Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact

Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.

‘Have We Plans for 1921?’

“All the Standard asks is the opportunity to serve, and it yearns to render in 1921 the greatest, finest, and best service of its history. . . .”

News Briefs for Dec. 9

Items from Timber Lake Christian Church (Moberly, Mo.), Choateville Christian Church (Frankfort, Ky.), Johnson University, and more.

My Counsel for Young Preachers

If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.

My Memories of Marshall Leggett

By Ben Merold
As I think about Marshall Leggett, who passed away on March 2 at age 90, two personal experiences keep coming to my mind . . .

Powell Quintuplets Graduating from High School

When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.

Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think

When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Easter Church Attendance’ (1949)

“This Lord’s Day will find nearly all the churches having the largest crowds of the year,” editor Burris Butler wrote in 1949. “It has become almost proverbial that many people attend church on Easter Sunday who never come at any other time” . . .

News Briefs for March 27

Ozark Christian College has updated their logo. Also, briefs from Harlan (Ky.) Christian Church, Summit Christian College, and the Common Grounds Unity Podcast.

The Best Sermon I Never Heard

“Can I tell you about the best sermon I never heard?” Matt Proctor asked the crowd at ICOM last November. “If I could time travel just once . . . I would go back to Luke 24. On that very first Easter Sunday . . . the resurrected Jesus is walking on the road to Emmaus, talking with two travelers. . . .”

KCU Announces Agreements with LBC, NEOBC

Kentucky Christian University has announced separate agreements to enable those who have earned a bachelor’s degree from Louisville Bible College or Northeast Ohio Bible College to seamlessly transition into the graduate programs offered by KCU’s Keeran School of Bible and Ministry. . . .

Follow Us