Evaluation
Overall Score: 7.8/10
A wise, readable gateway into Ecclesiastes that thoughtfully connects the text to church life.
Summary
At a Glance
- Length
- 112 pages
- Type
- Application, Expositional, Homiletical
- Theo. Perspective
- Broadly Evangelical
- Overall score
- 7.8 / 10
- Strength
- Faithful to the text and confidently practical for preaching and teaching.
- Limitation
- Its brevity limits the treatment of original-language issues and theological depth for scholars.
We welcome Derek Kidner’s The Message of Ecclesiastes, a tightly-focused and pastorally attuned guide to one of Scripture’s most challenging wisdom books. In a compact space, Kidner navigates the Preacher’s reflections on meaning, time, labour and the fear of God—helping the preacher engage Ecclesiastes not as a curiosity, but as a vital word for the church today.
Kidner brings a steady hand: he honours the text’s nuances, acknowledges its tensions and invites the reader into honest reflection about life’s vanities and God’s sovereignty. Though brief, the volume is marked by clarity and depth; it speaks to our generation without sacrificing the book’s ancient pulse.
Why Should I Own This Commentary?
If you serve in pastoral ministry or teach adult Bible-classes, this commentary has significant value. First, Kidner’s style is uniquely accessible—he writes with the heart of a pastor, making the sometimes elusive wisdom literature intelligible to sermon-preparation or small-group teaching. You will find clear mapping of Ecclesiastes’ structure, practical application points and a theological horizon that draws our gaze to God rather than self.
Second, the commentary sits well in the “mid-level” category: it is more than a devotional sketch yet stops short of heavy technical exegesis. That means it is ministry-friendly: you can pick it up when time is tight and still derive solid sermon ideas and teaching directions. Third, Kidner’s theological credentials are dependable—he belongs to the evangelical tradition and brings this confidence into his treatment of Ecclesiastes with integrity.
That said, if you are looking for exhaustive Hebrew lexical study, extended critical-historical reflection or advanced systematic theology, you will need to supplement. But for the purpose of preaching and teaching in church life, this volume meets a genuine need.
Closing Recommendation
In conclusion, we recommend The Message of Ecclesiastes to pastors, teachers and Bible-study leaders who desire a clear, theologically grounded and readable commentary on Ecclesiastes. It may not cover every academic avenue, but it faithfully connects text and life—and that is precisely the bridge ministry demands.
Classification
- Level: Mid-level
- Best For: Busy pastors, Lay readers / small groups, Pastors-in-training
- Priority: Strong recommendation