The True Meaning of Life from Ecclesiastes
“This is the best exposition of Ecclesiastes published in recent times!”
_D.
Recommended by A. Carson, Michael Horton, Ryu Ho-jun, and Han Byung-soo

"There seems to be no better guide for studying Ecclesiastes, whether individually or in a group." Ryu Ho-jun
“Reading his writings, I experience a shift in thinking and a renewal of awareness.” Han Byeong-su
“The best of the popular expositions of Ecclesiastes.” D.
A. Carson
“I couldn’t help but read this book.
You will too.” Michael Horton
“You will be repeatedly confronted with ‘thinking shifts’ as you read.” Dale Ralph Davis
“You will gain rich insights into divine truth.” Alec Motyer
“I couldn’t put the book down while reading it!” Fiona McDonald

What does Ecclesiastes say to us today?
The wisdom literature of the Bible is one way God uses it to fundamentally change our perspective and view of the world.
However, unlike other scriptures in the Old Testament, wisdom literature, especially Ecclesiastes, seems to lack the effort to read and study it in detail, rather than quoting it as aphorisms.

David Gibson, a theologian and local church pastor, confronts our daily lives with the book of Ecclesiastes and presents a concise and compelling presentation of the meaning of life and death, joy and sorrow, toil and tears, youth and aging, gifts and labor.
In addition, by etymologically explaining the meaning of the key phrase in Ecclesiastes, 'vanity,' he presents a view of life that is distinct from 'nihilism.' He also illuminates the entire book of Ecclesiastes with the keyword 'death,' very insightfully showing that accepting death is the first step in learning about life.

Ecclesiastes teaches us to live by looking back.
Ecclesiastes urges us to accept one certain future fact—our death—and then to reflect on and act from that point in all the daily events, decisions, and concerns of our lives, and to think about these things with the end in mind.
Death is the destination that reveals the meaning of life's journey.
If we know for sure where we are going, we can know for sure what we need to do before we get there.
Ecclesiastes asks us to shape our priorities and goals, our most important aspirations and deepest desires, with the end in mind.
Page 12

The evangelist answers his own question by pointing out the cyclical rise and fall of the world.
His answer is that people will eventually die and be forgotten, so there is no benefit to be gained from work and toil.
Life will reach out to young workers and offer them the dream of a satisfying career and a happy family.
But this too will come and go.
He will die and not be remembered.
Page 33

Accepting death is the first step to learning to live.
A wise man simply accepts the fact that he is going to die.
As Douglas Wilson put it, “A wise believer is one who knows the length of his ends.” This assertion may seem so simple as to be obvious.
But if we stop for a moment and consider how much energy we expend trying to avoid accepting this, it becomes incredibly important.
Page 36

There is a time to be born, a time to die, and a time to be judged.
One way to learn to live by preparing for death is to realize that death means judgment and that this is beneficial.
This realization gives meaning and weight to my current actions, and the loss and injustice I have experienced gives me a voice before God.
The past is in the past, but God does not forget the past.
And because God lives forever and is in control, one day everything will be alright.
Every single thing that happens will one day stand before a court.
Page 79

Left to ourselves, we think of life in terms of youth, beauty, success, career, and personal happiness.
But Ecclesiastes teaches us to think of life in terms of death.
Stand by the grave and learn how to live.
Where should we stand when thinking about youth? What does it mean to possess potential, energy, and vitality? Page 179

--- From the text