The Qoheleth___Ecclesiastes

There are two questions that lie behind Ecclesiastes: (1) Is the world system so subject to frustration that it cannot offer any satisfying key to life? and (2) If a believer tries to rise above the world system and wishes to mold his/her life according to the will of God, how can they do so if they cannot grasp the entire plan?

I. The Meaninglessness of Nature, Wisdom, and Wealth (1:1-2;23).

1. The Theme: All is Frustration (1:1-3)

2. The Frustration in Nature and History (1:4-11)

3. The Frustration of Wisdom (1:12-18)

4. The Frustration of Unlimited Wealth (2:1-11)

5. The Ultimate Frustration: Death (2:12-23)

II. The Divine Order of Life (2:24-3:22)

1. Daily Life to be Enjoyed (2:24-26)

2. God's Plan for Living (3:1-8)

3. The Pieces and the Whole (3:9-15)

III. The Frustration of Politics (4:1-16)

IV. The Frustration of Life (5:1-7:29)

1. Quiet Before God (5:1-7)

2. Money and Morality (5:8-20)

3. The Unfulfilled Life (6:1-9)

4. What is Good? (6:10-12)

5. Practical Advice for Daily Living (7:1-14)

6. Moderation Commended (7:15-22)

7. Bad Relationships (7:23-29)

V. Life in View of Death (8:1-9:18)

1. The Inevitability of Death (8:1-14)

2. Life to Be Enjoyed (8:15-9:10)

3. Uncertainty and Inequity (9:11-18)

VI . Proverbs (10:1-20)

1. Wise Relationships (10:1-7)

2. Wise Planning (10:8-11)

3. Wise Speech and Thought (10:12-20)

VII. Wisdom for the Future and the Present (11:1-10)

1. The Uncertain Future and Present Behavior (11:1-6)

2. The Certain Future and Present Behavior (11:7-10)

VIII. The Frustration of Old Age (12:1-8)

IX. Epilogue (12:9-14)

1. The Credibility of the Author (12:9-12)

2. The Conclusion of the Matter (12:13-14).