Question

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1. What does the author observe under the sun (1; Ps 12:5)? What is his assessment (2-3; Jer 20:17, 18, 22:10)? Why is such despairing remark so reasonable (Job 3:16-17;Lk 23:29-30)? 2. Consider how people to toil and strive (4a)? For what do they do? Why is it “a chasing after the wind”(4b-6; Prov. 6:10; 15:16-17; 16:8)? 3. What does a lonely and toiling soul usually discover at the end (7, 8; Gen 3:19)? In contrast to isolation and loneliness, what is the advantage of having friends in this world (9-12; Lk 16:9)? 4. What do great position (e.g., foolish king) and prestige (e.g., king’s successor) in this world do for people (13-16)? Why are advancement and human recognition so motivating and at the same time so meaningless (13-16)? 5. Comment on the following statements: “The author himself enjoyed all the privileges, position and honor in this world and at the end of his life he speaks about the futility in all. All the despairing remarks of this chapter do sound so self-serving. “ 6. What does this passage teach us about the paradox of this life (Is 40:6,7; Mk 8:36)? In this meaningless world, what is in fact most meaningful ?

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