Ecclesiastes

Summary

This Ecclesiastes volume in the Two Horizons Old Testament Commentary series leans into the distinctive voice of the book and invites readers to take its tensions seriously. Ecclesiastes is not a tidy manual, it is wisdom that teaches humility, exposes illusions, and presses the reader to fear God in a world that often feels elusive. The commentary aims to explain the text responsibly and then reflect on the theological horizon, asking how Ecclesiastes shapes Christian faith, hope, and realism.

The approach is best described as interpretative and reflective. It pays attention to the literary shape of the argument, the repeated refrains, and the way the Teacher speaks from within the limits of life under the sun. The commentary then draws out implications for doctrine and discipleship, especially regarding providence, mortality, enjoyment, work, injustice, and the limits of human control.

Strengths

A strength of this kind of volume is its help in preaching Ecclesiastes without smoothing it into bland piety. Many sermons on Ecclesiastes either apologise for the book or domesticate it. This commentary encourages the reader to let Ecclesiastes confront our cravings for certainty and mastery. It highlights how the book exposes the vanity of life when it is treated as an autonomous project, and how it calls people back to fear God, receive gifts, and live with honesty about death and judgement.

Theological reflection is also handled with an eye to the larger canon. Ecclesiastes is not treated as an oddity to be corrected, but as Scripture that trains the church in wisdom. The commentary helps pastors connect the themes of time, toil, injustice, and enjoyment to biblical theology, showing how Ecclesiastes deepens longing for redemption and teaches a wise posture of dependence.

It is also pastorally relevant for modern scepticism and weariness. Ecclesiastes speaks to those who feel the weight of repetition and the ache of injustice. This commentary provides language and categories that can help pastors address disillusionment without offering shallow fixes, and it helps congregations learn a more faithful realism under God.

Limitations

The trade off of a reflective approach is that some readers will want more sustained verse level exposition. Ecclesiastes can be elusive, and preachers sometimes need very concrete help on specific phrases and interpretative options. This volume does offer guidance, but it is not written as a strictly technical tool. Those needing fuller linguistic or textual discussion will want to consult a more technical commentary as well.

Another limitation is that the interpretative posture of Ecclesiastes can invite a wide range of readings, and readers may not agree with every judgement. Even so, the commentary is valuable for the way it forces careful thought and refuses simplistic answers.

How We Would Use It

We would use this volume when preparing sermons or teaching series that aim to let Ecclesiastes speak with its full weight. It is especially useful for pastors in training who are learning to preach difficult wisdom texts, and for advanced students who want to consider theological interpretation alongside exegesis.

In pastoral ministry, it can also serve as a resource for counselling and discipleship when addressing cynicism, grief, work frustration, and questions about meaning. Used wisely, it helps the church speak truthfully about life in a fallen world while still calling people to fear God and trust his purposes.

Closing Recommendation

If you want a commentary that takes Ecclesiastes seriously and helps you preach it with honesty and hope, this is a worthwhile choice. Pair it with a more technical work when needed, and let it sharpen your theological instincts and pastoral realism as you handle this challenging book.