Ecclesiastes: A Quest for Meaning (Welwyn Commentary Series | WCS)
Overview
The latest addition to the Welwyn Commentary series has leading Old Testament scholar and series editor John D. Currid bring a fresh approach to a book that seems to draw a lot of comment of the the wrong kind. In his Introduction he says:
There is no book in the Old Testament that is as maligned and criticized as the book of Ecclesiastes. People point to the teachings of vanity, scepticism, and fatalism that they see so dominant in the writing. Why live, one asks, if the writer of Ecclesiastes is right that life is without meaning and purpose?… I would argue that the real reason that no book in the Old Testament is as disparaged as Ecclesiastes is simply because no book is so misunderstood. It is ironic, in my opinion, that no book in the Old Testament is, in reality, as joyful as Ecclesiastes. When the reader properly understands the argument in the book, he will be led to joy and he will be filled with adoration for God. Consequently, that which is criticized for having no joy is really the book that brings joy.
Top Highlights
“What does pleasure accomplish? What does sensuousness achieve? What are their ends? The truth is that pleasure like this may provide immediate gratification, but really no long-lasting satisfaction and purpose. What is there in pleasure seeking that provides meaning to life? It does not quiet a guilty conscience; it does nothing for sin; it does not satisfy the soul; it provides no lengthy contentment, serenity, or satisfaction.” (Pages 32–33)
“ Solomon asserts that the basis of reality is the sovereignty of God.” (Page 59)
“The sovereignty of God may be defined as the exercise of His supremacy … God does as He pleases, only as He pleases, always as He pleases … Divine sovereignty means that God in fact, as well as in name, that He is on the throne of the universe directing all things, working all things ‘after the counsel of His own will’ (Ephesians 1:11).’” (Page 59)
“Second, his work is perfect; nothing can be or needs to be added to it or taken from it. Finally, his work is purposeful. The truth of the sovereignty of God drives people to their knees in awe and wonder, and this leads to their obedience.” (Pages 60–61)
“H. Wheeler Robinson pronounced this verdict on the book: ‘the book has the smell of the tomb about it.’” (Page 5)
- Title: Ecclesiastes: A Quest for Meaning: Ecclesiastes Simply Explained
- Author: John D. Currid
- Series: Welwyn Commentary Series
- Publisher: Evangelical Press
- Print Publication Date: 2016
- Logos Release Date: 2020
- Pages: 160
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Bible. O.T. Ecclesiastes › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 9781783971343, 1783971347
- Resource ID: LLS:WCS21EC2
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-08T15:58:34Z
Reviews
2 ratings
Richard C. Hammond, Jr.
1/5/2023
Terry Hutchinson
3/12/2022
The inside view shows a page out of the last chapter to be 149, which would indicate the book should be at least 160 pages. My impression of the book seemed to be it was written more on the less technical side of the Hebrew and more on a sermon or interpretive style. The flow of the book appears to be consistent with a good outline.