Institute
Lesson 30: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes

“Lesson 30: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, Religion 301–2 (1994), 59–60

“Proverbs, Ecclesiastes,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, 59–60

30

Proverbs, Ecclesiastes

Since the book of Proverbs deals with a multitude of topics, a complete outline of the book is not practical here. Several major themes from the book are outlined below, however. No supplementary material is given because of the wealth of information found in the book of Proverbs itself. Supplementary sources for use with the book of Ecclesiastes are given in the suggestions for presentation. Chapter 2 of the Religion 302 student manual contains materials relating to both books.

Scripture Content Outline

  1. Proverbs 1:5, 7; 2:1–9; 9:10; 12:15. It Is Important to Obtain Wisdom from God

    1. God will reward those who earnestly seek knowledge (see Proverbs 2:1–9).

    2. Fear of, or reverence for, the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (see Proverbs 1:7, 9:10).

    3. Wise men listen to counsel (see Proverbs 1:5; 12:15).

  1. Proverbs 10:3, 27–32; 12:28; 15:8–9; 19:16. The Lord Will Reward the Righteous and Punish the Wicked

    1. The souls of the righteous will not famish (see Proverbs 10:3).

    2. The results of righteousness are contrasted with the results of unrighteousness (see Proverbs 10:27–32; 19:16).

    3. Righteousness brings life (see Proverbs 12:28).

    4. The Lord loves the righteous and despises the ways of the wicked (see Proverbs 15:8–9).

  1. Proverbs 11:13; 12:22; 15:23; 16:23–24, 28; 17:28; 19:5, 9; 21:23; 22:10; 29:11. An Individual’s Speech Should Be Truthful, Timely, and Temperate

    1. Righteous people keep confidences (see Proverbs 11:13).

    2. The Lord abhors lying and delights in truth (see Proverbs 12:22).

    3. A well-chosen utterance is beneficial (see Proverbs 15:23).

    4. Pleasant words are sweet to the soul (see Proverbs 16:23–24).

    5. Gossipers create dissension and sever relationships (see Proverbs 16:28).

    6. Sometimes it is best to remain silent (see Proverbs 17:28; 29:11).

    7. Liars will be punished (see Proverbs 19:5, 9).

    8. Wise people choose what they speak with care (see Proverbs 21:23).

    9. 9. Removing a scorner will solve dissension in groups (see Proverbs 22:10).

  1. Proverbs 10:1; 17:25; 19:14, 18; 22:6; 23:13–14; 29:15; 31:10–31. Axioms and Suggestions for Enhancing Family Relationships Are Given

    1. A wise son makes his parents happy (see Proverbs 10:1; 17:25).

    2. Children taught proper precepts will not depart from those convictions (see Proverbs 22:6).

    3. Parents should chasten and discipline children when necessary (see Proverbs 19:18; 23:13–14; 29:15).

    4. Having a good wife is a blessing from the Lord (see Proverbs 19:14).

    5. A virtuous woman should be prized above rubies (see Proverbs 31:10–31).

  1. Proverbs 10:4–5; 19:15; 20:4. Diligent Labor Is Wholesome and Rewarding

    1. Wise people work diligently and serve faithfully (see Proverbs 10:4–5).

    2. Laziness results in deprivation (see Proverbs 19:15).

    3. The sluggard will end up with nothing (see Proverbs 20:4).

  1. Proverbs 14:29; 15:18; 16:32. Unjustified Anger Is a Serious Character Deficiency

    1. Wise people are slow to anger (see Proverbs 14:29).

    2. An angry person causes problems; a wise person solves them (see Proverbs 15:18).

    3. An individual who is slow to anger is stronger than the mighty (see Proverbs 16:32).

  1. Proverbs 11:24–25; 22:1–2; 30:8–9. Sage Advice Is Given for Those Who Pursue Riches

    1. Those who are wise and liberal will prosper (see Proverbs 11:24–25).

    2. One should seek a good name rather than riches (see Proverbs 22:1–2).

    3. Risks are inherent in having too much or too little (see Proverbs 30:8–9).

  1. Ecclesiastes 1:1–11. The Preacher Spoke of What He Felt Were Problems of Human Experience

    1. He felt that life was full of vanity (see Ecclesiastes 1:1–2).

    2. He said there was nothing new under the sun (see Ecclesiastes 1:2–11).

  1. Ecclesiastes 1:12–18; 2:1–23; 3:16–22; 4:1–8, 13–16; 6; 8:6–9:12; 12:8–12. The Preacher Found Life Replete with Perplexities, Inconsistencies, and Injustices

    1. He sought wisdom but, in seeking for it, found vanity, vexation, and sorrow (see Ecclesiastes 1:12–18; 2:12–18; 12:8–12).

    2. He could not find contentment in pleasure, culture, or riches (see Ecclesiastes 2:1–11).

    3. He felt that his labor was vain, for the fruits of his labor would probably be left to another (see Ecclesiastes 2:19–23).

    4. He observed that man must die and leave all that pertains to mortality (see Ecclesiastes 3:16–22; 8:6–8; 9:4–6).

    5. He was disheartened by the oppressions and injustices of life (see Ecclesiastes 4:1–8; 13–16).

    6. He saw that unless a man’s soul is filled with good, riches, honor, and posterity are of no advantage to him (see Ecclesiastes 6).

    7. Although righteousness is rewarded and wickedness punished, the righteous and the wicked both experience good and ill (see Ecclesiastes 8:9–15; 9:2–3).

    8. He assumed that man, by himself, cannot find out God’s ways, and he said that all things are in God’s hands (see Ecclesiastes 8:16–9:1).

    9. He felt that it was wise to make the most of life, for no one knows when death will overtake him (see Ecclesiastes 9:7–12).

  1. Ecclesiastes 2:24–26; 3:1–15; 4:9–12; 5; 7; 8:1–6; 9:13–11:10. Observations Are Given on the Importance of Maintaining Faith and Living a Good Life

    1. To enjoy the benefits of one’s labor is a blessing from God (see Ecclesiastes 2:24–26; 3:9–15).

    2. There are appropriate times for all things (see Ecclesiastes 3:1–8).

    3. Friends can be a blessing (see Ecclesiastes 4:9–12).

    4. It is important to be truthful and reverent toward God (see Ecclesiastes 5:1–7).

    5. It is fruitless to selfishly pursue riches (see Ecclesiastes 5:8–17).

    6. One should be content with what God has given (see Ecclesiastes 5:18–20).

    7. True wisdom causes one to see life from a new perspective and to revere God (see Ecclesiastes 7).

    8. In a kingdom it is wise to submit to the king (see Ecclesiastes 8:1–6).

    9. The Preacher extolled wisdom and gave proverbs for practical living (see Ecclesiastes 9:13–10:20).

    10. One should be generous and do good and not worry about what he cannot control (see Ecclesiastes 11).

  1. Ecclesiastes 12:1–7, 13–14. The Conclusion Drawn in the Book Is That Obedience to Divine Commandments Is the Only Viable Alternative

    1. One should serve God in his youth before death overtakes him (see Ecclesiastes 12:1–7).

    2. One should fear God and keep his commandments, for he will have to account for his deeds (see Ecclesiastes 12:13–14).

Some Suggestions for Presentation

You are not expected to teach everything in the scripture content outline. Select those concepts that you feel will be the most helpful to your students.

Proverbs: A Book of Wisdom (Sections A–G)

Explain the nature of the book of Proverbs, and then have students browse through the book and select passages that they find thought-provoking and relevant. Have them share the passages and tell why they feel that following the principles in those passages will make them more capable servants of God. Select several proverbs yourself to illustrate the great wisdom found in the book. Discuss their teachings and give examples that show how those teachings can be applied in the lives of the students.

Confronting Life’s Challenges (Sections H–K)

Review a few passages from Ecclesiastes that illustrate the Preacher’s dilemma. Ask if his dilemma is unusual or atypical. Point out that some uncertainty is basic to mortal experience, but we can develop spiritual maturity by relying on the Lord’s word when we are confronted with the perplexities of life.

Discuss the concept of vanity as it is used in the book of Ecclesiastes. Indicate that the feeling of vanity comes in life only when we lose our eternal perspective and faith in God. The world sees much in life as vain and contradictory. Only with the light of the gospel and an understanding of the plan of salvation can we properly evaluate life and its perplexities.

Discuss how greatly the Saints are blessed to have a knowledge of their relationship to God and his eternal plan of happiness. Encourage students to deal with life’s challenges not as the Preacher did but with eternal perspective. Give examples of how they can do that. Testify of God’s mercy, justice, and love, and conclude by emphasizing the final admonition in Ecclesiastes 12:13.

Valuable material for use in this discussion can be found in Spencer W. Kimball, “The Abundant Life,” Ensign, July 1978, pages 3–7; Ezra Taft Benson, in Conference Report, October 1974, pages 90–94.