REC Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes raises questions that haunt everyone to some degree. We live in a busy world, but does our busyness have a purpose? Or will the tyranny of time render all our labor pointless? If our efforts are doomed by death, how are we supposed to live in the meantime?

Douglas O’Donnell turns to Ecclesiastes to show us that lives of seeming futility “under the sun”? become filled with joy and meaning if we live “under the rule of the Son.”? O’Donnell argues that wisdom literature is best seen through the teachings of Jesus, who said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Here learn from Ecclesiastes to find meaning in life by abandoning illusions of self-importance, putting aside all pride, and embracing divine wisdom.

“Ecclesiastes is a book for our time: its relentless examination of the source of meaning and relevance finds echoes in every facet of contemporary life and its restless pursuit of happiness. Douglas Sean O’Donnell’s treatment of Ecclesiastes is both fresh and thorough… A wonderful achievement.”
– Derek W.H. Thomas, Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Atlanta

Part of the Reformed Expository Commentary series.