The book of Ecclesiastes presents the wisdom teachings of an individual identified as Qoheleth (1:1). Qoheleth examines various areas of life as he attempts to determine what has lasting value for humanity. He begins with his decision that “all is hevel (הֶבֶל, hevel)” (1:2)—a term often translated as “vanity” that Qoheleth uses to indicate the senselessness or absurdity of life “under the sun” . . . Out of profound disillusionment over humanity’s limitation, the author points to the need to be satisfied with “our portion.” The book concludes with the admonition to “fear God and keep his commands” (12:13).
—Faithlife Study Bible, Lexham Press
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Expository Preaching Kits are curated resources all focused on helping you teach a single book of the Bible—keeping you prepared without weighing you down.
The Ecclesiastes–Song of Solomon Expository Preaching Kit (S) helps you plan an expositional sermon series by curating a trifecta of the best Bible study materials on Ecclesiastes–Song of Solomon you need to prep and preach. It includes resources like the Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry and Writings, A Handbook on Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs: A Biblical-Theological, Allegorical, Christological Interpretation (Focus on the Bible | FB).
The Ecclesiastes–Song of Solomon Expository Preaching Kit (M) helps you plan an expositional sermon series by curating a trifecta of the best Bible study materials on Ecclesiastes–Song of Solomon you need to prep and preach. It includes everything in Ecclesiastes–Song of Solomon Expository Preaching Kit (S) plus resources like Ecclesiastes (Believer's Church Bible Commentary), Proverbs, Ecclesiastes & Song of Solomon (College Press NIV Commentary), and Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching Song of Songs.
The Ecclesiastes–Song of Solomon Expository Preaching Kit (L) helps you plan an expositional sermon series by curating a trifecta of the best Bible study materials on Ecclesiastes–Song of Solomon you need to prep and preach. It includes everything in Ecclesiastes–Song of Solomon Expository Preaching Kit (S) and Ecclesiastes–Song of Solomon Expository Preaching Kit (M), plus resources like the Song of Songs (The New International Commentary on the Old Testament | NICOT), Ecclesiastes (The JPS Bible Commentary), and Preaching Christ from Ecclesiastes: Foundations for Expository Sermons.
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By: Tremper Longman III
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Ecclesiastes is one of the most fascinating—and hauntingly familiar—books of the Old Testament. The sentiments of the main speaker of the book, a person given the name Qohelet, sound incredibly modern. Expressing the uncertainty and anxieties of our own age, he is driven by the question, “Where can we find meaning in the world?”
By: Choon-Leong Seow
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In Ecclesiastes, Bible scholar Choon-Leong Seow creatively translates and carefully interprets one of the world’s most profound, most enduring collections of ancient wisdom. Sometimes joyful and exultant, other times cynical and fatalistic, the ancient author Qohelet (“Teacher”) wrestles with the ups and downs of real life. Even today, we recognize and repeat the sayings of this treasure-trove of apt advice. The book begins and ends with the infamous claim, “Vanity of vanities, says Qohelet, vanity of vanities! All is vanity!” In between, the sage leaves no stone unturned in the search for meaning.
By: Iain W. Provan
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Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs don’t easily fit our preconceptions as Christians. How do we reconcile Ecclesiastes’ seemingly hedonistic passages and its broodings on life’s futility with Christ’s call to self-denial and his revelation of God’s profound purpose for our lives? Is the Song of Songs a frank-to-the-point-of-disturbing depiction of erotic love, or is it rather a loose-fitting spiritual allegory for Christ’s relationship with the church? Must we choose between the one interpretation and the other?
By: Roland E. Murphy
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The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship.
By: Derek Kidner
“Vanity of Vanities,” says the Preacher, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2) Is that what life is all about? A wisp of vapor, a puff of wind, a mere breath—nothing you can get your hands on—the nearest thing to zero? So says the Preacher in the book of Ecclesiastes. But is this the whole message of Ecclesiastes? Derek Kidner introduces this book of Ecclesiastes, which speaks so powerfully, to our generation. His love of Hebrew poetry and his understanding of biblical mind shine through in this book.
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One of the most debated subjects in Ecclesiastes studies is the purpose of its epilogue (ch. 12:9–14). Many scholars view the epilogue as a later addition that attempts to tone down the unorthodox message of the book. They tend to overlook the content of the concluding passage and in turn miss out on its significance.
By: Dominic Rudman
Dominic Rudman discusses key terms and texts that express a deterministic worldview, then explores the sources for Qoheleth’s thought. He concludes that the author was a sage writing in the third quarter of the third century BC, who was profoundly influenced by Stoic ideas.
By: Michael V. Fox
Biblical scholar Michael V. Fox seeks to address the complexities and so-called “absurdities” of Ecclesiastes, or “Qohelet,” the Hebrew word for the preacher. He focuses not on resolving the contradictions, but on seeing them as part of the overall structure and meaning of the book. Fox gives an in-depth introduction to the historical exegetical studies of Ecclesiastes and explains his own position.
By: Richard P. Belcher Jr.
There has been an explosion of interest in wisdom literature, and many studies are now available. There is every opportunity for people to “get wisdom, get insight” (Prov. 4:5). However, in today’s world it seems the practical sensibilities that come from wisdom are found in very few places. Wisdom literature is needed now more than ever. By walking in the way of wisdom, we will “find favour and good success in the sight of God and man” (Prov. 3:4). In this New Studies in Biblical Theology volume, Richard Belcher begins with a survey of the problem of wisdom literature in Old Testament theology. Subsequent chapters focus on the message and theology of the books of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. These point forward to the need for Christ and the gospel. Belcher concludes by exploring the relationship of Christ to wisdom in terms of his person, work, and teaching ministry.
By: Stuart Weeks
This study seeks to understand both the roots and the implications of this empiricism, comparing the monologue with other biblical and ancient literature, and suggesting that, although it has points of contact with other texts, its skepticism is largely distinctive, and unlikely to represent some broader tradition.
Join David W. Baker on a whirlwind tour, looking at the Old Testament from many different angles and at how it relates to ancient Near Eastern literature. From creation accounts and stories of destruction to Wisdom literature, discover different biblical literary genres that have parallels in ancient Near Eastern literature. Explore extrabiblical historical texts that mention key events and figures from the Old Testament. Understand how Israel fits into and is impacted by its ancient Near Eastern environment, but also how it is separate and unique, mainly on a theological level, but also by its distinct worldview.
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This course provides a practical foundation for reading the poetry and prophecy of the Old Testament. Dr. Baker begins by discussing poetic writing in general, then the elements specific to both Hebrew and English poetry. Applying these elements to the text, he examines the content, structure, and themes of the Psalms, Proverbs, Lamentations, Job, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. Dr. Baker then turns to the prophetic books, providing historical background, theological motifs, and the structure and content of specific books. He shows that these ancient messages remain relevant in modern life.
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Embark on a journey of OT Hebrew exegesis with Jason DeRouchie. The books of the OT were the only Scriptures Jesus had. It was books like Genesis and Deuteronomy, Isaiah and Psalms that shaped Jesus’ upbringing and that guided His life in ministry as the Jewish Messiah. It was these Scriptures that Jesus identified as God’s Word and that He considered to be authoritative; it was these Scriptures that He believed called people to know and believe in God and guarded them against doctrinal error and hell. This course will give you the tools you need to access meaning in the OT and then apply it to your life. It will help you to grow in reading God’s living Word for depth and not just distance.
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In an age of international travel and migration, we’re familiar with people who look, sound, eat, and believe differently than we do. In order to become friends, it’s helpful to understand where they come from and how they do things differently, or the same, as we do. In the same way it is necessary to understand someone who comes from a different place than we do, how much more necessary is it to understand someone who is from not only a different geographical place, but also a different time than we are? The Old Testament starts at the beginning of the world. This course will undertake the task of crossing the bridges of geography, climate, time, and a landscape unknown to us: ancient Israel. Throughout the course, David W. Baker will address aspects of life from our own culture and time, as well as family structure and societal systems from ancient Israelite life. As we learn more about the social world of the Old Testament, we will be struck not only by our differences, but also...
