Monthly Study
September 2024What Are We Here For?
The Book of Ecclesiastes
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!”—Ecclesiastes 1:2
What is our purpose in life? Why does life often seem unfair? What can we achieve in life that will bring lasting satisfaction? In the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes, the author wrestles with these life-shaping questions, showing us how to navigate life in a world turned upside down by sin. If we attend closely to the lessons contained in this book, we will learn to:
- Embrace all of God’s gifts (from food to work to people)
- Live more fully and rightly in relationship with God
- Face all of life’s difficulties, knowing God is in control
In Christ,
Russell L. Meek
Volume 37Edition 9
Managing Editor: Jamie Janosz, Senior Editor: Elena Mafter, Contributing Editor: John Koessler, Writer: Russell L. Meek, Graphic Designer: Rachel Hutcheson, Marketing: JD Hamby, Production: Rhonda AuYeung
About the Author
Russell Meek
Dr. Russell L. Meek teaches Old Testament and Hebrew at Moody Theological Seminary.
View MoreSeptember Devotional Calendar
Podcasts
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Who Is This Teacher?
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What do you know about Solomon? How does his life story impact your understanding of the books of Scripture he authored?
September 1, 2024
Is Everything Meaningless?
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At first glance, the book of Ecclesiastes may seem to have a pessimistic outlook on life.
September 2, 2024
What Do We Gain from Work?
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How does Ecclesiastes’ view of work reflect your own view of work? Where do you find your value and worth? And what role does your vocation play in that?
September 3, 2024
Echoes of Eden
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As you read Ecclesiastes, look for allusions to the book of Genesis. Why do you think the Teacher wants us to read his writings in light of Genesis?
September 4, 2024
The Same Fate
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Perhaps you’ve already noticed that the book of Ecclesiastes is cyclical. If you’ve ever experienced trauma, then maybe you can relate to the cycle of grief.
September 5, 2024
Seize the Day
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How can we “seize the day” while also honoring God? Name a few God-given gifts that you appreciate each day.
September 6, 2024
A Time for Everything
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Have you ever struggled with timing? You know something needs to be done, and maybe you even know what to do, but you just aren’t sure when to do it?
September 7, 2024
No Worries
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How do you view working, eating, and drinking? Are they idols you ask to fulfill you or take away your sorrows? Or do you see these activities as gifts from God to be enjoyed in the moment?
September 8, 2024
Dust to Dust
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Death, they say, is the great equalizer. The author of Ecclesiastes would agree. Once again, the Teacher calls us back to the book of Genesis.
September 9, 2024
The Tears of the Oppressed
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You’re human, so I know you’ve experienced difficulties in life. I also imagine that at some point you’ve confided in someone else about a struggle or difficult time you’re going through.
September 10, 2024
The Joy of Companionship
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In May 2023 the U.S. Surgeon General released a report detailing the effects of loneliness on the American population, claiming that “lacking social connection can increase the risk for premature death as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.”
September 11, 2024
Speak with Care
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Have you ever been pulled over for speeding and prayed, “Lord! I’ll never speed again if you just don’t let the officer give me a speeding ticket!”?
September 12, 2024
The Empty Promise of Wealth
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If what the Teacher and Paul and Jesus said is true (and it is!), what does life consist of? How can you reorient your life and priorities to be consistent with Scripture’s teaching about wealth?
September 13, 2024
God’s Perfect Gifts
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During our first year of marriage, my wife and I ate dinner at a restaurant that looks out over a massive lake in north Idaho.
September 14, 2024
Enjoyment Is God’s Gift
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Have you ever had an issue you just couldn’t stop talking about or ruminating on? Hopefully you had a patient friend who let you verbally process as much as you needed to.
September 15, 2024
There Must Be Something More
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One of the earliest video games was Pac-Man. To play, you would use a controller to navigate a yellow, pie- shaped character through a maze while eating dots and fruit.
September 16, 2024
Happy and Sad
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How does it make you feel to know that God made both the good times and the bad? How would it change your life to recognize his sovereignty over everything?
September 17, 2024
None Are Righteous
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One day my youngest son asked about a person in Scripture, “How old was he when he died?”
September 18, 2024
God’s Original Intent
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Have you ever got into trouble and thought, “Where exactly did I go wrong?” What seemed like a good idea at the beginning ended with disastrous results!
September 19, 2024
Submit to Authority
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The American Revolution is a fascinating study of what happens when a group of people decided not to listen to their king.
September 20, 2024
Fear the Lord
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What does it mean to fear the Lord? How can we reconcile God’s justice with His love?
September 21, 2024
Enjoy Life!
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How can enjoying God’s gifts help you to navigate this sin-riddled world as you await the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ?
September 22, 2024
The Great Equalizer
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Do you fear death? The fear is understandable, given that ten out of ten people die. Not only will we face death, but everyone we love is in the same predicament.
September 23, 2024
Marriage Is a Gift
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A study published in 2023 concluded that “adults who are married are by far the happiest.” Married individuals significantly outpaced the levels of happiness or well-being of those who had never married, were divorced, or lived together without being married.
September 24, 2024
The Value of Wisdom
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Have you ever heard the sayings, “The early bird gets the worm” or “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? Proverbs are short, pithy sayings that contain a larger truth.
September 25, 2024
Words Matter
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“You are the worst Pop ever!” said my son. And then, just a few days later, “Thank you so much for cooking me my favorite dinner, Pop. You really are the best!”
September 26, 2024
God Is Far Above
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Do you remember the story of Nicodemus, the Pharisee who came to Jesus at night? When the religious leader asked Jesus how it was possible to be born again, I wondered, “How in the world could Nicodemus be so dull?”
September 27, 2024
Life Within God’s Boundaries
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If we believe the advertising that constantly bombards us, consumption is the key to happiness. This jacket will give you a joyous life of adventure! This alcohol will guarantee a great time! This foot cream will make your stress disappear!
September 28, 2024
Young and Old
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Why does the Teacher tell us to remember the Lord while we are still young? How does that admonition clash with our culture, which tells us to “sow wild oats”?
September 29, 2024
Don’t Miss the Message
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In Ecclesiastes, the Teacher has emphasized a few key points in his Genesis-shaped discussion of life. First, this life is marked by vanity or futility; it has been turned upside down because of sin. Sometimes there is wickedness in the place of righteousness; sometimes the fastest runner doesn’t win the race; sometimes the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer.
September 30, 2024