Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs (Teach the Text Commentary Series)
Overview
Ecclesiastes takes readers on a journey pondering the meaning of life in the midst of hopelessness. This commentary helps set the book within a biblical worldview in order to help teachers communicate and apply the profound truths of Ecclesiastes today. Song of Songs is full of evocative poetry, but centuries of interpretation have produced little consensus about how this unique book should be understood. Edward M. Curtis lays out the key themes of each book and provides carefully organized commentary for interpreting, teaching, and illustrating Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs.
- Explains the worldviews and historical backgrounds of Israel and the surrounding kingdoms
- Contains artwork and main themes to enhance the text
- Provides interpretations and ways to teach Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs
Top Highlights
“It is helpful to provide some answers and direction while teaching this book, but it is also important to teach in ways that keep aspiring sages engaged in the struggle rather than simply delivering ‘right answers’ to them. Qoheleth’s teaching methods reflect wisdom’s goal of helping people develop skill in living according to Yahweh’s order.” (Pages 12–13)
“Qoheleth offers two important principles for living well: the first is to recognize the good things that regularly appear around us as gifts that come from God; the second is to enjoy these gifts when they come rather than postponing enjoyment until some future time.” (Page 56)
“The poem describes the tedious and tiring nature of life and personalizes the problem for the reader. It brings readers to acknowledge, both logically and experientially, the reality of the problem.” (Page 11)
“Scripture, however, declares that Yahweh is the sovereign and all-powerful Lord who created and upholds all things; Scripture also declares him to be compassionate, good, and just. The struggle of Christian theology has been to understand how these things can be true given the realities that are the common experience of those who live in the world.5 It is these questions that Qoheleth sets in stark relief, though for the most part without giving his readers clear and explicit answers.” (Page 3)
“Solomon was the example par excellence of wisdom, success, and accomplishment, though here, Solomon is probably a paradigm for humanity and represents any person who tries to find meaning and fulfillment in a life that is not centered in God.” (Page 15)
I can think of no one better equipped to write a commentary on the wisdom literature than Ed Curtis. Readers will discover many helpful and practical insights from Ed’s own wisdom as he skillfully guides inquirers through the complexities and delights of this literature.
—Clinton E. Arnold, dean and professor of New Testament, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
Dr. Ed Curtis is an ideal person to write this commentary on the books of Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs. His scholarly expertise combines with his many years of living out the wisdom literature to provide pastors and teachers with an invaluable commentary that will help them communicate in a deep yet practical way the treasures of these often-underappreciated books.
—Michael J. Wilkins, distinguished professor of New Testament language and literature, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
Edward M. Curtis (PhD, University of Pennsylvania) is professor of Old Testament and biblical studies at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, in La Mirada, California. He is the author of many articles and books, including Discovering the Way of Wisdom and Transformed Thinking.
