Ecclesiastes, life in a fallen world

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.

Publisher: Banner of Truth
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9781848718685

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Benjamin Shaw is Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Taylors, South Carolina, USA. He is the author of Ecclesiastes: Life in a Fallen World.

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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). Landon C. Jones