THROUGH THE BIBLE (Ecclesiastes)

By Bishop Elijah H. Hankerson III, BA, MA, DD

LESSON NOTES:

I.                  THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING THE ENTIRE BIBLE. If you understand that the Bible is written to show us how humanity was created for God, fell into sin, was reconciled through Christ (who was the product of a family) and God will restore everything through His sacrifice on the Cross; then you have the message of the entire Bible.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 ¹⁷Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. ¹⁸And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. ²⁰Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. ²¹For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

                                           A.                  JESUS AND THE EARLY CHURCH TAUGHT THAT THE ENTIRE OLD TESTAMENT TEACHES ABOUT JESUS. You can preach the Gospel from ANY Old Testament book; just as well as you can the New Testament.

John 5:39-40 ³⁹You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, ⁴⁰yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

Luke 24:44-47 ⁴⁴He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the ECCLESIASTES." ⁴⁵Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶He told them, "This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Acts 18:24-28 ²⁴Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. ²⁵He had been instructed in the way of the LORD, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. ²⁷When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. ²⁸For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

Acts 13:13-39

¹³ From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. ¹⁴ From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. ¹⁵ After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”

¹⁶ Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: “Fellow Israelites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! ¹⁷ The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt; with mighty power he led them out of that country; ¹⁸ for about forty years he endured their conduct in the wilderness; ¹⁹ and he overthrew seven nations in Canaan, giving their land to his people as their inheritance. ²⁰ All this took about 450 years.

“After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. ²¹ Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. ²² After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’

²³ “From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. ²⁴ Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. ²⁵ As John was completing his work, he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’

²⁶ “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. ²⁷ The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. ²⁸ Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. ²⁹ When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. ³⁰ But God raised him from the dead, ³¹ and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.

³² “We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors ³³ he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm:

“‘You are my son;
    today I have become your father.’

³⁴ God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said,

“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’

³⁵ So it is also stated elsewhere:

“‘You will not let your holy one see decay.’

³⁶ “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. ³⁷ But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.

³⁸ “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. ³⁹ Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.

II.                  THE AUTHOR OF ECCLESIASTES. It is believed that Solomon authored this book. It is inferred from the text.

Ecclesiastes 1:1 ¹The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

Ecclesiastes 1:16 ¹⁶I said to myself, "Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge."

1 Kings 10:23 ²³King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth.

2 Chronicles 1:12 ¹²therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have."

                         A.            SOLOMON WAS PREACHER? The Hebrew word is qōhelet, which does mean, “preacher.” It basically means a person that speaks to a group of people.

III.            WHAT DOES THE NAME ECCLESIASTES MEAN? It means, “the preacher.”

IV.            WHAT IS THE THEME AND PURPOSE OF ECCLESIASTES? Really the purpose of the book is to show us the true meaning of life. Solomon had everything a person could dream of. But, at the end of the day, he realized it all meant nothing, without a relationship with God. And, the only way that we can have a right relationship with God; is through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Ecclesiastes 1:2 ²"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless."

                         A.            MONEY WAS NEVER AN OBJECT WITH SOLOMON. He never knew what lack was. He was born in the lap of luxury (being King David’s son) and God blessed him personally with unimaginable wealth.

                         B.            SOLOMON HAD EVERYTHING THAT HE COULD WANT OR DESIRE.

1.               HE WORKED HARD, BUT THAN WAS MEANINGLESS.

Ecclesiastes 1:3-4 ³What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun? ⁴Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.

2.            HE HAD MORE WISDOM THAN ANYONE, BUT THAT WAS MEANINGLESS.

Ecclesiastes 1:13-18 ¹³I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind! ¹⁴I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. ¹⁵What is crooked cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted. ¹⁶I said to myself, "Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge." ¹⁷Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. ¹⁸For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.

3.               HE HAD MORE OF A “GOOD TIME” THAT ANYONE, BUT THAT WAS MEANINGLESS.

Ecclesiastes 2:1 ¹I said to myself, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good." But that also proved to be meaningless.

4.               HE HAD MORE WEALTH THAN ANYONE, BUT THAT WAS MEANINGLESS.

Ecclesiastes 2:7-11 ⁷I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. ⁸I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well-the delights of a man's heart. ⁹I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me. ¹⁰I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. ¹¹Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 ¹⁰Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.

5.               HE REALIZED THAT AFTER ALL THE SEASONS OF LIFE; YOU END UP DYING JUST LIKE A COMMON ANIMAL.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 ¹There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

Ecclesiastes 3:18-21 ¹⁸I also said to myself, "As for humans, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. ¹⁹Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless. ²⁰All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. ²¹Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?"

6.               YET, HE FELT IT WAS BETTER TO BE DEAD THAN ALIVE.

Ecclesiastes 4:1-4 ¹Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed- and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors- and they have no comforter. ²And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. ³But better than both is the one who has never been born, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun. ⁴And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person's envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 ¹A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.

7.               HE FELT IT WAS NOT GOOD TO HAVE EVERYTHING YOU WANT; BUT YOU CAN’T ENJOY IT.

Ecclesiastes 6:1-2 ¹I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: ²God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.

8.               HE FELT THERE WAS NO BENEFIT IN LIVING RIGHT.

Ecclesiastes 7:15-16 ¹⁵In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: the righteous perishing in their righteousness, and the wicked living long in their wickedness. ¹⁶Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise- why destroy yourself?

Ecclesiastes 8:14 ¹⁴There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve. This too, I say, is meaningless.

9.               HE FELT THAT EVERYTHING WAS DETERMINED BY RANDOM CHANCE (WE WOULD CALL THIS LUCK).

Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 ¹¹I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all. ¹²Moreover, no one knows when their hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so people are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them.

10.         HE FELT HIGH POSITIONS MEANT NOTHING; IF YOU LACKED WISDOM.

Ecclesiastes 10:1 ¹As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

                         C.            SOLOMON’S CONCLUSION WAS THAT TO SERVE THE LORD WAS THE TRUE MEANING OF LIFE.

1.               YOU HAVE CHOICES IN LIFE; BUT JUDGMENT DAY IS COMING.

Ecclesiastes 11:9 ⁹You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

2.               LIVING FOR GOD IS THE MAIN REASON FOR LIVING.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 ¹Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"-

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 ¹³Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. ¹⁴For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

                         D.            THIS IS THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL.

1.            HUMANITY STARTED OFF WITH EVERYTHING IMAGINABLE. The entire world and all of its resources were given to humanity.

Genesis 1:28 ²⁸God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

Psalm 8:4-8 ⁴what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? ⁵You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. ⁶You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: ⁷all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, ⁸the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

2.            HUMANITY’S RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD WAS BROKEN.

Genesis 3:22 ²²And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever."

3.            TO HAVE THE WHOLE WORLD MEANS NOTHING.

Mark 8:36 ³⁶What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

4.            IT IS ONLY THROUGH CHRIST THAT WE CAN FULFILL THE TRUE MEANING OF LIFE (WHICH IS TO SERVE THE LORD).

V.                  JESUS IS IN THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES. Solomon was a type of Christ. Jesus Christ our Redeemer is the only one who can fulfill the three roles that Solomon fulfilled.

Ecclesiastes 1:1 ¹The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:

1.               HE IS THE TEACHER.

John 13:13 ¹³"You call me 'Teacher' and 'LORD,' and rightly so, for that is what I am.

2.               HE IS THE SON OF DAVID.

Matthew 1:1

The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham:

Matthew 15:22

And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.”

Matthew 21:9

The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting,
“Hosanna to the Son of David;
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest!”

Mark 10:48

Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

  

3.               HE IS THE KING OF JERUSALEM.

Revelation 14:1-4 

Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb,

VI.               PRAYER FOR SALVATION. As we close, if you have not received this Jesus pray this simple prayer:

"Father, I know that I have sinned against You. Please forgive me. Wash me clean. I promise to trust in Jesus, Your Son. I believe that He died for me—He took my sin upon Himself when He died on the cross. I believe that He was raised from the dead. I surrender my life to Jesus today.

"Thank You, Father, for Your gift of forgiveness and eternal life. Please help me to live for you. In Jesus' name, Amen."

THROUGH THE BIBLE (Proverbs)

By Bishop Elijah H. Hankerson III, BA, MA, DD

LESSON NOTES:

I.                  THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING THE ENTIRE BIBLE. If you understand that the Bible is written to show us how humanity was created for God, fell into sin, was reconciled through Christ (who was the product of a family) and God will restore everything through His sacrifice on the Cross; then you have the message of the entire Bible.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 ¹⁷Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. ¹⁸And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. ²⁰Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. ²¹For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

                                           A.                  JESUS AND THE EARLY CHURCH TAUGHT THAT THE ENTIRE OLD TESTAMENT TEACHES ABOUT JESUS. You can preach the Gospel from ANY Old Testament book; just as well as you can the New Testament.

John 5:39-40 ³⁹You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, ⁴⁰yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

Luke 24:44-47 ⁴⁴He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the PROVERBS." ⁴⁵Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶He told them, "This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Acts 18:24-28 ²⁴Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. ²⁵He had been instructed in the way of the LORD, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. ²⁷When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. ²⁸For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

Acts 13:13-39 New International Version

¹³ From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. ¹⁴ From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. ¹⁵ After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”

¹⁶ Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: “Fellow Israelites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! ¹⁷ The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt; with mighty power he led them out of that country; ¹⁸ for about forty years he endured their conduct in the wilderness; ¹⁹ and he overthrew seven nations in Canaan, giving their land to his people as their inheritance. ²⁰ All this took about 450 years.

“After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. ²¹ Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. ²² After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’

²³ “From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. ²⁴ Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. ²⁵ As John was completing his work, he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’

²⁶ “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. ²⁷ The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. ²⁸ Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. ²⁹ When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. ³⁰ But God raised him from the dead, ³¹ and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.

³² “We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors ³³ he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm:

“‘You are my son;
    today I have become your father.’

³⁴ God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said,

“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’

³⁵ So it is also stated elsewhere:

“‘You will not let your holy one see decay.’

³⁶ “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. ³⁷ But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.

³⁸ “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. ³⁹ Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.

II.                  THE AUTHOR OF PROVERBS.

                         A.            SOLOMON ASKS GOD FOR WISDOM.

2 Chronicles 1:7-12 ⁷That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." ⁸Solomon answered God, "You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. ⁹Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. ¹⁰Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?" ¹¹God said to Solomon, "Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, ¹²therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have."

1 Kings 10:23 ²³King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth.

Ecclesiastes 1:16 ¹⁶I said to myself, "Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge."

1.               JESUS IS WISDOM.

1 Corinthians 1:30 ³⁰It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

2.         THE PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST OVER ALL CREATION IS DESCRIBED IN PROVERBS.

Proverbs 8:22-31 ²²"The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; ²³I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. ²⁴When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water; ²⁵before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, ²⁶before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth. ²⁷I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, ²⁸when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, ²⁹when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. ³⁰Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, ³¹rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.

3.               THE PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST DESCRIBED.

Colossians 1:13-20 ¹³For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, ¹⁴in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. ¹⁵The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Psalm 89:27 ²⁷And I will appoint him to be my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth.

Revelation 1:5 ⁵and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,

John 1:1 ¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Romans 8:29 ²⁹For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

4.               JESUS WAS NOT CREATED. However, His Sonship was in the plan of God from the beginning. Jesus is God in flesh and could not have been created.

Matthew 1:23 ²³Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

John 8:58

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.”

Isaiah 9:6

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Revelation 1:17

When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last,

Revelation 1:8

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 7:3

Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

Revelation 1:18

And the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.

Psalm 110:4

The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind,
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 5:6

Just as He says also in another passage,
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 7:17

For it is attested of Him,
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 7:21

(for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him,
“The Lord has sworn
And will not change His mind,
‘You are a priest forever’”);

Hebrews 7:24

But Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.

Hebrews 6:20

Where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 7:28

For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.

John 8:35

The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever.

Matthew 28:20

 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

III.            WHAT IS THE THEME AND PURPOSE OF PROVERBS? Proverbs was written so that people could gain the same type of wisdom that Solomon had. It was this wisdom that caused Solomon to help Israel become a great nation.

Proverbs 1:1-7 ¹The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: ²for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; ³for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; ⁴for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young- ⁵let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance- ⁶for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. ⁷The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

  

                                                 A.            BOTH DAVID AND HIS SON SOLOMON LED THE NATION OF ISRAEL IN ITS GOLDEN AGE. There was no one like Solomon. This set the tone for Messiah to come. Because Jesus was greater than Solomon!

1 Kings 3:12 ¹²I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.

Matthew 12:42 ⁴²The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

1.   GOD LOVED HIM. Solomon was a type of Christ; in that He was the beloved son and heir to the throne.

2 Samuel 12:24-25 ²⁴Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The LORD loved him; ²⁵and because the LORD loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah.

1 Kings 1:13 ¹³Go in to King David and say to him, 'My LORD the king, did you not swear to me your servant: "Surely Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne"? Why then has Adonijah become king?'

                                                                                       a.                        JESUS IS THE BELOVED SON.

Matthew 3:17 ¹⁷And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

Luke 9:35 ³⁵A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him."

                                                                                       b.                        JESUS IS THE HEIR TO THE THRONE.

Luke 1:32 ³²He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The LORD God will give him the throne of his father David,

2.   SOLOMON’S LEADERSHIP CONFIRED THAT GOD HAD CHOSEN DAVID TO BE ANCESTOR OF THE REDEEMER.

2 Samuel 7:12-16 ¹²When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. ¹³He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. ¹⁴I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. ¹⁵But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. ¹⁶Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'"

IV.            WHAT DOES THE NAME PROVERBS MEAN? It means a short wise saying.

V.                  JESUS IS IN THE BOOK OF PROVERBS.

                               A.                              JESUS IS A FRIEND.

Proverbs 18:24 ²⁴A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

                               B.                              JESUS BLOOD IS BETTER THAN SILVER AND GOLD.

Proverbs 8:10-11 ¹⁰Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. ¹¹For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

1 Peter 1:18-19 ¹⁸For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, ¹⁹but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

VI.                  SINCE JESUS IS WISDOM IT ONLY MAKES SENSE THAT AN ENTIRE BOOK WOULD BE DEDICATED TO THE SUBJECT.

                         A.            WISDOM SHOULD BE A PRIORITY (Proverbs 1-9). This whole section shows that wisdom is to be pursued. This section contrasts a wicked life from a righteous life. Following wisdom will help a person to avoid a wicked life.

Proverbs 4:20-27 ²⁰My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. ²¹Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; ²²for they are life to those who find them and health to one's whole body. ²³Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. ²⁴Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. ²⁵Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. ²⁶Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. ²⁷Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

1.               THIS TEXT IS FULFILLED IN CHRIST.

Matthew 7:24-27 ²⁴"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

                         B.            THE TEACHING OF SOLOMON (Proverbs 10-22:16). Proverbs was a joy to his parents because of how he carried himself. He passes this teaching on to the reader.

Proverbs 10:1 ¹The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

1.               THIS TEXT IS FULFILLED IN CHRIST.

John 3:35 ³⁵The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.

John 5:20 ²⁰For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.

                         C.            WISE SAYINGS (Proverbs 22:17-24). If you follow these you will have a good name, just like Solomon has.

Proverbs 22:1 ¹A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

1.               JESUS NAME IS ABOVE ALL NAMES.

Philippians 2:9-11 

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Acts 4:12 

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

John 14:14 

If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

Acts 2:38 

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1:21 

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

John 16:23-24 

In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Colossians 3:17 

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

                         D.            SOLOMON TEACHES AGAIN (Proverbs 25-29). It is a royal thing to receive God’s wisdom.

Proverbs 25:1-3 ¹These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah: ²It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. ³As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

1.               THROUGH JESUS WE ARE KINGS. And He reveals His secrets to us!

Revelation 1:5-6 ⁵And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, ⁶And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Matthew 11:25-26 ²⁵At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, LORD of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. ²⁶Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

                         E.            PROVERBS OF AGUR (Proverbs 30). We do not have any information on who he was. However, he makes one of the most descriptive statements about Christ in Proverbs:

Proverbs 30:4 ⁴Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?

1.               THIS IS JESUS!

Ephesians 4:5-11 ⁵one LORD, one faith, one baptism; ⁶one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. ⁷But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. ⁸This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people." ⁹(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? ¹⁰He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) ¹¹So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,

John 20:17 ¹⁷Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"

Romans 10:6-10 ⁶But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) ⁷"or 'Who will descend into the deep?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). ⁸But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: ⁹If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is LORD," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

                          F.            PROVERBS OF LEMUEL (Proverbs 31). We know that his name means king. So he was a king. But, we do not have any other information regarding him. Lemuel speaks about a virtuous woman; a good wife.

Proverbs 31:10-12 ¹⁰A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. ¹¹Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. ¹²She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

1.         THIS IS SYMBOLIC OF THE WIFE OF CHRIST! We are preparing for the soon return of the Lord.

Ephesians 5:25-27 ²⁵Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, ²⁷and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

VII.               PRAYER FOR SALVATION. As we close, if you have not received this Jesus pray this simple prayer:

"Father, I know that I have sinned against You. Please forgive me. Wash me clean. I promise to trust in Jesus, Your Son. I believe that He died for me—He took my sin upon Himself when He died on the cross. I believe that He was raised from the dead. I surrender my life to Jesus today.

"Thank You, Father, for Your gift of forgiveness and eternal life. Please help me to live for you. In Jesus' name, Amen."