Seminaries and Institutes
Ecclesiastes 4–5: What Brings Happiness?


“Ecclesiastes 4–5: What Brings Happiness?” Old Testament Seminary Student Study Guide (2002), 136–37

“Ecclesiastes 4–5,” Old Testament Seminary Student Study Guide, 136–37

Ecclesiastes 4–5

What Brings Happiness?

Is there a way of life that makes people happy even when they do not believe or accept truths about God, His commandments, and eternal life? Even though the preacher saw so much “vanity” in the world, in Ecclesiastes 4–5 he admitted that there were still things worth doing that lead to greater happiness in a world that didn’t make much sense to him otherwise (without an understanding of God’s plan).

Studying the Scriptures

Do activity A as you study Ecclesiastes 4–5.

  1. Find Some Good Advice

    Ecclesiastes mentioned several deeds that still make sense to do even if “all is vanity.” Write about two things you read about in Ecclesiastes 4–5 that would be good advice even to someone who does not believe in God. Explain the advice as if you were giving it to a person who does not believe in God.