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Study Ecclesiastes

A 4-part Video Lecture Series

Curated from a Lecture Series by James M. Hamilton Jr.
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Course Introduction

About the Course

This course is a 4-part video lecture series provided freely by The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary as an excerpt of their 2-part graduate level Old Testament Introduction course. In this course, James Hamilton explains highlights of the major contours of Ecclesiastes. Each lecture is an average of 20 minutes long.

About James M. Hamilton Jr.

James M. Hamilton Jr. (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is professor of biblical theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Senior Pastor of Kenwood Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He has written numerous books, including God’s Glory in Salvation through Judgment: A Biblical Theology and What Is Biblical Theology? A Guide to the Bible’s Story, Symbolism, and Patterns.


Course curated by Phil Thompson

Introduction to Ecclesiastes


Reflection Questions
  • What literary aspects of Ecclesiastes make this book a literary masterpiece?
  • Does Hamilton view the book of Ecclesiastes as negative or positive?
  • How does Hamilton make the historical argument for the Solomonic authorship of Ecclesiastes?
  • How does Hamilton make the theological argument for the Solomonic authorship of Ecclesiastes?
  • How does Hamilton refute the suggestion of a later editor of the work?
  • What is the significance of the term “vanity”?
  • What is the significance of the term “labor”?

Reading Assignment

The Message of Ecclesiastes, pages 13–27.

Ecclesiastes 2


Reflection Questions
  • How does Solomon answer the question of “what is good” throughout the book?
  • What are the results of toil?
  • How does one enjoy the process of their toil?
  • How should our understanding of the fruits of our toil and how we spend our money? How does this contrast the way that some Christian writers and thinkers have thought about how we spend our money?

Assignment

The Message of Ecclesiastes, pages 28–56.

Ecclesiastes 5


Reflection Questions
  • How do the claims of Ecclesiastes correlate with Paul’s claims about how one lives if there is no resurrection?
  • How can we appreciate a gift without devaluing the giver?
  • How do these statements from Ecclesiastes teach a positive message?
  • How should we approach the mysteries of this life?

Assignment

The Message of Ecclesiastes, pages 57–95.

Ecclesiastes 11


Reflection Questions
  • What does the book of Ecclesiastes teach us about youth and old age?
  • How does the introduction and conclusion of the book form a “Messianic frame”?

Assignment

The Message of Ecclesiastes, pages 96–110.