Ecclesiastes 7:15-29 (New Living Translation)
15 I have seen everything in this meaningless life, including the death of good young people and the long life of wicked people. 16 So don’t be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? 17 On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time? 18 Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes.
19 One wise person is stronger than ten leading citizens of a town! 20 Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins. 21 Don’t eavesdrop on others—you may hear your servant curse you. 22 For you know how often you yourself have cursed others.
23 I have always tried my best to let wisdom guide my thoughts and actions. I said to myself, “I am determined to be wise.” But it didn’t work. 24 Wisdom is always distant and difficult to find. 25 I searched everywhere, determined to find wisdom and to understand the reason for things. I was determined to prove to myself that wickedness is stupid and that foolishness is madness.
26 I discovered that a seductive woman is a trap more bitter than death. Her passion is a snare, and her soft hands are chains. Those who are pleasing to God will escape her, but sinners will be caught in her snare. 27 “This is my conclusion,” says the Teacher. “I discovered this after looking at the matter from every possible angle. 28 Though I have searched repeatedly, I have not found what I was looking for. Only one out of a thousand men is virtuous, but not one woman! 29 But I did find this: God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.”
I. Some of destiny is outside of our control (vv. 15-18)
• Some life experiences are
• Tragedies are not our destiny but can
• Destiny isn’t getting
• Excessive righteousness, wisdom and wickedness are equally
(Mt. 16:1-4; Lk. 18:9-14)
II. Destiny is making an imperfect impact (vv. 19-22)
• One person of destiny can impact a
• Destiny is impacting
• No person is deserving of a more
• Longing for the “
III. Destiny involves community involvement (vv. 23-25)
• Understanding destiny requires more than our own
• No one can be completely
• Sin is
• We contribute to or contradict destiny through what we
IV. Destiny isn’t found in romance (vv. 26-29)
• Destiny and identity are never found in a
•
• Destiny is not finding the right person in life, but rather
• God destined relationship to be
commitment.
1. Read Ecclesiastes 7:15-18. What “extremes” keep us from chasing our destiny with God? What does our worship look like when we fear God and chase him?
2. Read Ecclesiastes 7:19-22. How can one person of destiny shape an entire town/community (v. 19)? Why should a person of destiny not be surprised when criticized?
3. Read Ecclesiastes 7:23-25. How many times does the author use the word “I” in these verses? What is the danger of relying on oneself to figure things out?
4. Read Ecclesiastes 7:26-29. Why should believers not look for “destiny” in romantic/sexual relationships? How is this type of thinking prevalent in American culture today?
5. What does the author’s conclusion about God indicate about one’s destiny (v. 29)?
6. What other questions do you have about this passage of Scripture?