Ecclesiastes
Life in a Fallen World
| Weight | 0.2 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 21.6 × 13.7 × 10 cm |
| ISBN | 9781848718685 |
| page-count | 168 |
| Binding | Paperback, eBook (ePub & Kindle), Paperback & eBook (ePub & Kindle) |
| scripture | Ecclesiastes |
| format | Book |
| Banner Pub Date | May 24, 2019 |
Book Description
What can we expect from life in a fallen world? How are we to live as redeemed people in such a world?
In 22 concise chapters, Benjamin Shaw shows that the answers to these questions are to be found in the message of the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. Whereas some commentators have viewed the book of Ecclesiastes as an alien intrusion into the Old Testament, and have deemed it of little use for the New Testament believer, Benjamin Shaw does not hold to this misguided view.
In this commentary, designed to be used by non-specialists, he shows that this divinely inspired book is far from being the muddled collection of disparate voices it is sometimes presented to be. He demonstrates that in reality, Ecclesiastes is an integral part of the word of God, and conveys a very distinct message to all who are willing to listen to its wisdom.
Drawing on his expertise as a Hebrew scholar, Dr Shaw opens up the text in a fresh way, shedding light on what, for many Christians, may have a long been a mysterious and enigmatic portion of Scripture.
Interview With the Author
- Discussion with Dr. Benjamin Shaw about Ecclesiastes: Life in a Fallen World — Bridge Ministries Laredo.
- Interview with Dr. Shaw about his book Ecclesiastes: Life in a Fallen World — Theology on the Go.
Table of Contents Expand ↓
| Foreword | vii | |
| 1 | The Five Ws: 1:1-3 | 1 |
| 2 | The Earth Abides, Men Do Not: 1:4-11 | 13 |
| 3 | The Fruit of the Fruit: 1:12-2:11 | 19 |
| 4 | The Failure of Wisdom: 2:12-17 | 25 |
| 5 | The Curse on Labour: 2:18-23 | 27 |
| 6 | The First Respite: 2:24-26 | 31 |
| 7 | Turn, Turn, Turn, or Time and Eternity: 3:1-15 | 35 |
| 8 | Corruption: I’ve Got Friends in High Places: 3:16-22 | 47 |
| 9 | Opression: 4:1-16 | 53 |
| 10 | Fear God: 4:17-5:6 | 61 |
| 11 | The Problem of Stuff: 5:7-17 | 67 |
| 12 | Recommendation Redux: 5:18-19 | 75 |
| 13 | The Evil of Life: 6:1-9 | 79 |
| 14 | The Problem of Man: 6:10-12 | 85 |
| 15 | Proverbs Contrasting Wisdom and Folly: 7:1-12 | 89 |
| 16 | The Limitations of Wisdom: 7:13-29 | 99 |
| 17 | The Practical Use of Wisdom: 8:1-17 | 109 |
| 18 | In Light of the Limits of Wisdom: 9:1-17 | 123 |
| 19 | Proverbial Wisdom: 9:18-10:20 | 133 |
| 20 | Planning for the Future: 11:1-6 | 143 |
| 21 | Summary of Life: 11:7-12:8 | 147 |
| 22 | Afterword: 12:9-14 | 153 |
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Book Description What can we expect from life in a fallen world? How are we to live as redeemed people in such a world? In 22 concise chapters, Benjamin Shaw shows that the answers to these questions are to be found in the message of the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. Whereas some commentators have […]
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Book Description What can we expect from life in a fallen world? How are we to live as redeemed people in such a world? In 22 concise chapters, Benjamin Shaw shows that the answers to these questions are to be found in the message of the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. Whereas some commentators have […]
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Description
Book Description What can we expect from life in a fallen world? How are we to live as redeemed people in such a world? In 22 concise chapters, Benjamin Shaw shows that the answers to these questions are to be found in the message of the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. Whereas some commentators have […]
Jacob Wilson –
A great resource on Ecclesiastes.
Pretty much everything you think about Ecclesiastes is misguided and untrue, largely related to mistranslations and lost focus. (OK, maybe not everything.) But you’re in luck, because Benjamin Shaw is here bringing clarity and coherence to the message of Ecclesiastes. He has given us a simple and powerful commentary on Ecclesiastes, written in 22 short chapters.
Shaw tracks closely the argument and structure of the Book of Ecclesiastes, as the writer describes the way things are—the fallenness, the mundane, the vanity—, how things got to be that way, and how they can be made right. Shaw shows how Ecclesiastes follows a close thematic structure to the beginnings of Genesis.
It is a gift of God to be able to live in the moment, enjoy God’s blessings, and produce good, knowing full well that all of these things are passing like a vapor. In it’s whole, Ecclesiastes is not about vanity (a word often mistranslated), but rather is about the vaporous nature of life (note the wind metaphors, sun metaphors) and what we can do in the midst to make the most of it.
This is a really helpful book to read devotionally, or alongside your Bible reading. **book graciously provided by Banner of Truth
Landon C. Jones –
This is an excellent book. Shaw shines light upon a rather enigmatic and oftentimes misunderstood book in 22 short, yet concise and powerful chapters. Being learned in the Hebrew language, Shaw is able to go through each chapter verse by verse providing thorough exegesis while frequently clarifying terms and phrases that can get lost in translation. One of the main themes that Shaw brings to light is the fleeting, ephemeral nature of life on earth. Shaw does not then argue that life is meaningless. Rather, he uses this essential truth as a great incentive to fear God, keep his commandments, and so live with ultimate purpose in a fallen world.
Personally, this great work was simply a great reminder that my life is coming to an end. While reading I was constantly reminded of the words from that great poem: “Only one life, Twill soon be past; Only what’s done for Christ will last.” And also, those words from Paul, “For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18).