Ecclesiastes 11 - A Study Guide By Mark A. Copeland

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                       "THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES"

                             Chapter Eleven

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To appreciate the value of benevolence and diligence in preparing for
   the future

2) To glean what counsel the Preacher offers for those who are young

SUMMARY

In this chapter the Preacher begins with encouraging benevolence and
diligence as ways to guard against the uncertain future.  By casting our
bread upon the waters, willing to offer servings to many, and not
withholding our hands in the evening, our benevolence may serve us well
in the future should evil befall us.  Likewise, things may happen beyond
our ability to control or comprehend, but diligence in sowing seed and
being mindful of the dark days to come can help to prepare us for their
coming (1-8).

This chapter also introduces counsel from the Preacher designed
especially for the young.  The young man is encouraged to rejoice,
letting his heart cheer him.  He is told to walk in the ways of his
heart and in the sight of his eyes, yet with the knowledge that God will
hold him accountable for all that he does.  So remove sorrow (i.e.,
rejoice!).  But also put away evil during the fleeting years of
childhood and youth (9-10).

OUTLINE

I. THE VALUE OF BENEVOLENCE AND DILIGENCE (11:1-8)

   A. AN EXHORTATION TO BENEVOLENCE (1-2)
      1. Cast your bread upon the waters, you will find it after many
         days
      2. Give servings to seven, and to eight, for you do not know what
         evil will come

   B. AN EXHORTATION TO DILIGENCE (3-8)
      1. Many things (like rain and wind storms) are inevitable (3-4)
         a. We cannot stop the clouds full of rain from falling
         b. Trees will lie wherever they fall
         c. If we spend our time just watching and not doing, we will
            not sow and reap
      2. There are things we cannot comprehend (5-6)
         a. Like the way of the wind (or spirit)
         b. Like the development of the child in the womb
         c. We cannot comprehend God's working; therefore do not
            restrict your efforts
      3. There will be days of darkness (7-8)
         a. It is great to be alive when one is well
            1) The light is sweet
            2) It is pleasant to behold the sun
         b. But even if one lives many joyful days, they should know
            that evil days will come

II. ADVICE TO THE YOUNG (11:9-10)

   A. REJOICE IN YOUR YOUTH (9a)
      1. Let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth
      2. Walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes
   
   B. DON'T LOSE SIGHT OF THE JUDGMENT (9b)
      1. God will bring you into judgment
      2. You will answer for all that you do

   C. REMOVE SORROW AND EVIL (10)
      1. Remove sorrow from your heart
      2. Put away evil from your flesh
      3. For childhood and youth are vanity

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - The value of benevolence and diligence (1-8)
   - Advice to the young (9-10)

2) Why does the Preacher encourage you to "cast your bread upon the
   waters"? (1)
   - It will come back to you after many days

3) Why does the Preacher counsel you to "give a serving to seven, and
   also to eight"? (2)
   - You do not know what evil will be on the earth

4) What is the point of these two admonitions?
   - To be liberal and largesse in your benevolence, for it may help you
     during difficult days in the future

5) What two examples are given of things that are inevitable? (3)
   - Clouds full of rain will empty themselves on the earth
   - Where a tree falls, there it will lie

6) What does the Preacher caution against? (4)
   - Watching the wind and clouds to the neglect of sowing and reaping

7) What two examples illustrate our limited ability to comprehend the
   ways of God? (5)
   - The way of the wind
   - How the bones of a child grow in the womb

8) How does the Preacher encourage diligence and benevolence? (6)
   - In the morning, sow your seed (diligence)
   - In the evening, do not withhold your hand (benevolence)

9) Why does he encourage diligence and benevolence? (6)
   - For we don't know which of the two will prosper, perhaps even both

10) What is described as sweet and pleasant? (7)
   - Light is sweet, and it is pleasant to behold the sun

11) If one is blessed to live many joyful years, what should he still
    bear in mind? (8)
   - The days of darkness, for they will be many and all that is coming
     is vanity

12) What does the Preacher encourage the young man to do? (9)
   - Rejoice in his youth
   - Let his heart cheer him in the days of his youth
   - Walk in the ways of his heart and in the sight of his eyes

13) Yet what does the Preacher also encourage him to remember? (9)
   - God will bring him into judgment for the things he does

14) So what else the Preacher counsel the young man to do?  Why? (10)
   - Remove sorrow from his heart, put away evil from his flesh
   - Childhood and youth are vanity (fleeting)
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