Your life is a mere breath. This reality can be difficult for us to live by. The book of Ecclesiastes takes us on a journey to show us that although this life is a vapor, it is still a gift from God meant to be enjoyed. Instead of giving a pessimistic look at life under the sun, Ecclesiastes shows us how to glorify God in this fleeting life by enjoying the ordinary, good gifts God bestows.
From the Foreword (by Paul Washer)
As I read through this work by Dr. Brian Borgman, he played the role of a Philip and enabled me to understand the book of Ecclesiastes in a completely new light. I no longer interpret Solomon’s words as the somber musings of a secular sage about the harsh realities of this fallen world. Instead, they have been transformed into a message of hope, a catalyst to trust God, and a goad to live life to the fullest.
As you read through this work, you will be confronted with the realities of life in a fallen world. Yes, there is suffering, pain, death, and oftentimes an encroaching sense of futility. However, for the believer, the brevity of life is an incentive to live life to the fullest, and the uncertainties of life are opportunities to trust in an omnipotent, loving, and faithful Creator who gives good gifts to His children and will one day make all things new. Contemporary Christianity, especially in the West, is filled with extremes. On one hand, there are voices urging believers to live their best life now, almost in disregard of eternity. On the other hand, there are voices admonishing us to put our heads down, look for nothing in this life, and mournfully long for heaven. Dr. Borgman sweeps away both extremes by simply expounding the book of Ecclesiastes. He shows us that we are to relish every good thing as a gift from God, face every hardship with hope in a sovereign God, and await a new heaven and earth with great expectation. I will never look at the book of Ecclesiastes the same way again. After reading this work, I found a renewed freedom, even compulsion, to enjoy all of God’s temporal gifts, a clarity and confidence to endure the trials of this fallen age, and lastly, a steadfast hope that does not disappoint. I am greatly indebted. You will be too.
—Paul Washer HeartCry Missionary Society
Endorsements
Get ready to be refreshed, strengthened, steadied, and wisened. Through this commentary, Brian will help you navigate life as it really is. Brian Borgman’s commentary on Ecclesiastes is here to deliver the book from a bad reputation and the reader from immaturity. Ecclesiastes has a reputation for being esoteric, disheartening, and confusing. Brian masterfully exposes the true meaning through his treatment of the underlying interpretive grids in the book. This commentary will help you navigate life’s ups and downs, gains and losses, sorrows and joys.
—Scott Brown Pastor at Hope Baptist Church, Wake Forest, NC President of Church and Family Life
For many people, the book of Ecclesiastes seems just too puzzling and negative to interest them. However, Brian Borgman's exposition of Ecclesiastes will change their minds, because through careful analysis and vivid writing he has explained the positive message of this biblical text in a compelling fashion. Life is indeed short, and it contains a lot of things that we cannot understand or control, yet God has also given us the ability to find joy in our brief and perplexing lives. If you have avoided Ecclesiastes, thinking it depressing and discouraging, let Borgman take you by the hand and show you its delights.
—Daniel Estes Distinguished Professor of Old Testament Cedarville University
In this accessible, experiential, and thought-provoking commentary, Brian Borgman provides faithful exegesis, practical application, and balanced perspective on perhaps one of the most misunderstood books of the Bible. Borgman demonstrates that Ecclesiastes is not about life’s vanity (lack of purpose) but its vapor (lack of permanence). Although Solomon is realistic about life in a fallen world that is full of uncertainty, injustice, suffering, pain, and death, he also shows that man’s vaporous life is full of God’s beautiful gifts—like food, youth, work, and marriage—and that we can glorify our Creator by enjoying these gifts with thanksgiving. The good life, then, is one lived soli Deo gloria—for the glory of God alone and in the enjoyment of Him alone. Be prepared to have your assumptions about Ecclesiastes transformed!
—Joel R. Beeke Chancellor and Professor of Homiletics & Systematic Theology Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
Author Bio
Brian Borgman is the founding pastor of Grace Community Church in Minden, NV, where he has served since 1994. He has degrees from Biola University, Western Seminary, Westminster Seminary in California, and Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He is a speaker and the author of several books, including An Exiles Guide to Walking with God: Meditations on Psalm 119 (Free Grace Press) Feelings and Faith: Cultivating Godly Emotions in the Christian Life (Crossway). He has been married to Ariel since 1987, and they have three grown children and several grandchildren.
For 7th Year Primary (11-12 year olds). Our 6th Grade Core curriculum includes a science/worldview biology course on God's amazing creation, an exciting Western history course on Christianity in Europe, a unique literature course covering three Christian Classics, an age-friendly study of Proverbs, and biographical studies of great men and women of the faith.
Leading and nurturing your family as you seek to glorify God and encourage spiritual growth in your home is both God’s command and your privilege. One of the best and most effective ways to do this is through intentional, worshipful, daily family devotions where the truths of God’s life-changing Word are openly discussed chapter by chapter.
The Gospel Made Clear to Children details the person and work of Christ. It begins with the holiness of God, the sinfulness of man, and the penalty for sin. It considers the love of God in eternity past and the provision God has made in sending His Son. It traces the incarnation, birth, life, and ministry of Jesus Christ, with a special focus on His crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and exaltation. It culminates with a call to repent and believe, ending with the evidence of true conversion. Written from a heart full of love, this book calls children to turn from their sins and trust in Christ.
For Primary years (6-7 year olds). Our 1st Grade Core curriculum includes a beautiful science survey on all of God's amazing creation, an exciting history course covering the whole range of church history, a comprehensive 1st grade introduction to Math, an entire 2-volume Phonics program, a reading course containing 40 essential Bible stories, and five child-friendly read-aloud biographies on Hudson Taylor, John Knox, George Mueller, Martin Luther, and Amy Carmichael.
In Let the Little Children Come, Scott Aniol strives to convince church leaders and parents that children best grow into faithful, mature worshipers of Jesus Christ when they are led to Jesus by their parents in the context of intergenerational church gatherings and in daily worship at home.
You will need to have purchased the main book (Textbook), before making use of this workbook.
Economic collapse; crookedness; chicanery; the “Everything Bubble” bursting—whether this will be “the Great Reset” or the “Great Recession,” economic turmoil has now become the rule of the day. Some people make things happen. Some people watch things happen. And the others wonder what happened. But here is a book that explains what happened. Finally, here is a book that explains economics for everyone.
This is a book that will be particularly helpful for the young person just starting out....
Here is a book that weaves a seamless thread through macro and microeconomics, written for a high school audience.
In this book, I help parents navigate local church life through the ordinary means of grace in preaching, singing, praying, fellowship, and even in the hardships and trials.
The kingdoms of men have their histories and so do Christians. While the stories of the kingdoms of men fade with their empires, these are the stories that have never faded because the Church of Jesus Christ continues to flourish in every corner of this world today. And, the gates of hell cannot prevail against it. These essential writings on church history give first hand accounts of the development of the Christian church in the Western world. This account is the true heritage of every Christian in the world and should be treasured as such....
The course materials will also provide the student with historical surveys that tie together key church historical events, personalities, revivals, and developments.
This course presents a basic introduction to, and critical analysis of, the philosophers, the literary masters, and the cultural influencers of the last three hundred years. A refreshing improvement of most philosophy and literature courses, this course is filled with relevant biblical references and truths that address the false worldviews of the 'great' secular humanist works.
Economic collapse; crookedness; chicanery; the “Everything Bubble” bursting—whether this will be “the Great Reset” or the “Great Recession,” economic turmoil has now become the rule of the day. Some people make things happen. Some people watch things happen. And the others wonder what happened. But here is a book that explains what happened. Finally, here is a book that explains economics for everyone.
This is a book that will be particularly helpful for the young person just starting out....
Here is a book that weaves a seamless thread through macro and microeconomics, written for a high school audience.
This little book offers a big picture overview of the Christian family, complete with biblical principles, practical suggestions, discussion questions, and helpful resources for further study.
This guide is simple, approachable, and repeatable for families of any makeup and age. Do not feel as though you must reinvent the wheel when it comes to family worship. In this guide, Ryan Bush compiles help from hundreds of years of Christian history to help you and your family read, memorize, catechize, pray,
Economic collapse; crookedness; chicanery; the “Everything Bubble” bursting—whether this will be “the Great Reset” or the “Great Recession,” economic turmoil has now become the rule of the day. Some people make things happen. Some people watch things happen. And the others wonder what happened. But here is a book that explains what happened. Finally, here is a book that explains economics for everyone.
This is a book that will be particularly helpful for the young person just starting out....
Here is a book that weaves a seamless thread through macro and microeconomics, written for a high school audience.
How are young people to arrive safely at the marriage altar? This book captures some of the premarital counsel which John Calvin gave to the youth and families of Geneva in order that they may navigate the single years and enter successfully into marriage.
The book draws material from two categories of Calvin's writings; some passages are taken from Calvin's commentaries and sermons, while others come from the Marriage Ordinance of 1546, which outlines many of the difficult issues that singles often face before marriage.
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