Ecclesiastes

by Richard P. Belcher Jr.

Ecclesiastes is one of the most difficult books of the Bible. It has been called 'a baffling book', 'alien among the other books of the Old Testament', 'the most problematic of the whole Hebrew Bible', and 'an embarrassment to the Old Testament'.1 It has also provided solace for both pietists and skeptics. The distinctive approach of this commentary is that it argues for Solomonic authorship combined with a negative, under the sun approach to the message of the book. These two ideas are related to each other because the book reflects the struggles of Solomon during the period of his life when his heart was turned away from the Lord (1 Kings 11:9). The purpose of the book is to warn against speculative wisdom which is a wisdom that no longer operates from the right foundation of the fear of the Lord. The struggles of Solomon are laid out as a warning to all that even someone as wise as Solomon can operate on the wrong basis. Of course, the answer to the struggle comes at the end of the book.

460 pages, Paperback

First published February 21, 2014

About the author

Dr. Belcher is the Professor of Old Testament. He is an ordained minister in the PCA and pastored an urban nondenominational church in Rochester, NY for ten years before pursuing the Ph. D. This pastoral experience in an unusual and challenging setting gives him great insight into the practical, modern issues that will be faced by future pastors studying with him at RTS. He graduated from Covenant College and received his M. Div from Covenant Seminary. He also received an S.T.M. from Concordia Theological Seminary, and his Ph. D. is from Westminster Theological Seminary. He has served as stated supply for numerous churches in the area since coming to RTS Charlotte in 1995.

Reviews

[Andrzej Stelmasiak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really appreciate Belcher's work in general, but this commentary didn't do anything for me every time I have consulted it, and I mean that.
If you want something readable but still technical, get it. But he just didn't take the text theologically in a sage-like manner, but treated it more in a prophet-like way. Was Solomon another Moses?

I so wanted it to be my top commentary on this book!

[Jason Brubaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

My professor at RTS wrote this and I must say it is one of the most in depth and accessible commentaries I've read. I appreciate pastoral aspects in the homiletical sections. Highly recommend if you're studying Ecclesiastes.