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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.

As are all the books in the Reformed Expository Commentary series, this exposition of Ecclesiastes is accessible to both pastors and lay readers. Each volume in the series provides exposition that gives careful attention to the biblical text, is doctrinally Reformed, focuses on Christ through the lens of redemptive history, and applies the Bible to our contemporary setting.

Endorsements

“Witty, insightful, and exceptionally well researched, Doug O’Donnell’s new commentary is one that I enthusiastically recommend. If you’re a preacher who is interested in communicating the truth of Ecclesiastes in a fresh way, this is a must-have volume for your library.”

—Scott A. Wenig, Haddon Robinson Chair of Biblical Preaching, Denver Seminary

“Douglas O’Donnell’s new commentary is a delight to read. . . . This commentary will serve preachers well. . . . It will provide them with many sermon ideas, solid exegesis and applications, illustrations, and quotations from numerous books, songs, and movies.”

—Sidney Greidanus, Professor Emeritus of Preaching, Calvin Theological Seminary

“Exhibits a masterly tracing of the exalted, Christ-infused, intercanonical connections that will aid the reader in focusing on Christ Jesus, the only answer to an empty life. . . . The author’s engaging style makes for superb reading as well as study. Doug O’Donnell’s Ecclesiastes is a masterwork that will be read for generations to come.”

—R. Kent Hughes, Senior Pastor Emeritus, College Church, Wheaton, Illinois

“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; Editorial Director, Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals

The Author

Douglas Sean O'Donnell

Douglas Sean O’Donnell (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is the senior vice president of Bible publishing at Crossway. He has authored or edited over a dozen books, including God's Lyrics, as well as commentaries on Matthew's Gospel, the Song of Songs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and 1–3 John.

More by Douglas Sean O'Donnell