The Death of Summer Lesson One

The Death of Summer

LESSON ONE by Ron Davis

BIBLE READING
After watching the biblical teaching by Ron Davis, read the following portions of Scripture.

Ecclesiastes 1:1-18
Ecclesiastes 12:1, 13-14

Solomon is writing this book to the nation of Israel, and more significantly, he is writing it directly to his son: a young man who will soon be making his own decisions. Solomon is at the end of his reign and trying to give advice to help the nation move forward as one that fulfills its purpose for existing: to declare the glory of God to the nations (Psalm 96:3).

Solomon was the possibly the wisest man who ever lived, and he wasted his wisdom on seeking after temporal things. He was able to amass wealth that would rival anyone in our world today. He was beyond wealthy. As you read these short passages, notice how he labels material things, earthly wisdom, and his own pursuit of these two things.

*It is important to note that wisdom is not objective. Wisdom has a source that brings about decisions we believe to "be wise." The long-term effects of your decisions will reveal the foundation upon which your wisdom has been built. Solomon is making it clear that anything outside of biblical wisdom is folly, vanity, painful, and empty.

PASSAGE GUIDE
Use a journal and interact with Scripture as you read, study and meditate on it.

Eccl 1:1-2 "vanity" - the word used to designate material things and his own wisdom. This word is really hard to translate from the Hebrew. It doesn't just mean "empty" or "vain." It also is meant to represent the product of human wisdom and something that will never be grasped. It is like the wind: you may want to hold it, but you never will. . In other words, he is making a clear declaration of the product of all of his earthly wisdom: wealth, power, fame, etc., is completely empty and standing in opposition to the God he is supposed to be serving. Why? He was chasing after something that would never satisfy (Eccl. 5:8).

Eccl 1:3-11 Solomon is clearly stating that "all is vanity." Notice this as you read these verses.

Eccl. 1:12-18 "wisdom" - the product of his own desires and ambitions. Notice what he calls it in verse eighteen: "vexation" and "sorrow."

Eccl. 12:1, 12-13 This is what dispels fear: remembering God, fearing Him, and keeping His commandments. This was stated at the very end of the letter he was writing, and it is very significant. Solomon is making it clear that true happiness, peace, and meaning only comes from these things - not the earthly possessions we may obtain nor the fame/power we may achieve. Only the proper relationship with God can dispel fear and bring true prosperity: doing all in the name of the Lord Jesus (Col. 3:17).

REFLECT
Prayer Guide
  • the ability to know the true motives of your heart
  • for the foundation of your wisdom to be biblical and not earthly
  • to have a heart for the hurting
  • to have confidence in Christ - the hope of glory who lives in you
Personal Evaluation/Actions
  • ​What do you fear? Write down the three things you fear the most about the new college/school year.
  • Evaluate yourself: do you let your memory and imagination bring fear, or do you embrace your hope in Christ?
  • Think about what you fear and develop a plan to face and overcome it.
  • Look for others who have similar fears and help them. Who knows, you may even help yourself in the process?
  • Be kind to everyone this week. Look for the hurting and love, serve and help them.
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