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Destiny: Learning To Live By Preparing To Die
Only a proper perspective on death provides the true perspective on life.
Living in the light of your death will help you to live wisely, freely and generously. It will give you a big heart and open hands, and enable you to relish all the small things of life in deeply profound ways. Death can teach you the meaning of mirth.
The author encourages us to take the one thing in the future that is certain – our death – and work backwards from that point into all the details and decisions and heartaches of our lives, and to think about them from the perspective of the end. It is the destination which makes sense of the journey. If we know for sure where we are heading, then we can know for sure what we need to do before we get there.
Learn to find true joy and satisfaction in God’s good gifts, and, in realizing your own smallness, see just how great God is.
Living in the light of your death will help you to live wisely, freely and generously. It will give you a big heart and open hands, and enable you to relish all the small things of life in deeply profound ways. Death can teach you the meaning of mirth.
The author encourages us to take the one thing in the future that is certain – our death – and work backwards from that point into all the details and decisions and heartaches of our lives, and to think about them from the perspective of the end. It is the destination which makes sense of the journey. If we know for sure where we are heading, then we can know for sure what we need to do before we get there.
Learn to find true joy and satisfaction in God’s good gifts, and, in realizing your own smallness, see just how great God is.
184 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2016
22 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
David Gibson
11 books114 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
David Gibson (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is the Minister of Trinity Church in Aberdeen, Scotland. Previously he served as a staff worker for the Religious and Theological Studies Fellowship (part of UCCF) and as an assistant minister at High Church, Hilton, Aberdeen. Gibson has also published a number of articles and books such as Rich: The Reality of Encountering Jesus and Reading the Decree: Exegesis, Election and Christology in Calvin and Barth.
David Gibson (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is the Minister of Trinity Church in Aberdeen, Scotland. Previously he served as a staff worker for the Religious and Theological Studies Fellowship (part of UCCF) and as an assistant minister at High Church, Hilton, Aberdeen. Gibson has also published a number of articles and books such as Rich: The Reality of Encountering Jesus and Reading the Decree: Exegesis, Election and Christology in Calvin and Barth.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
June 28, 2022
Great book, very readable and accessible. David holds our hand as he leads us through Ecclesiastes - not getting bogged down in detail, but bringing out tangible, applicable truths for our day-to-day lives. Definitely made me think more about my daily attitudes and actions in light of eternity. Would have given it 5 stars but I was a bit miffed that he left out chs 8 and 10 of the book. (But then - it's not a commentary, so maybe this is acceptable).
May 26, 2021
Thought-provoking, poignant and ultimately joy-building. David Gibson shows that it is only living with our human finitude and future death in mind that we can enjoy life to its utmost. A beautiful read.
August 18, 2020
This is a refreshing, realistic, and riveting walk through the book of Ecclesiastes. It skips a couple of chapters, but gives a good overview to the book. It is really well written, clearly based on a lot of theological understanding, but applied winsomely to real life. Written by a pastor/theologian.
July 7, 2024
I read this book together with my wife Sarah to try something different. I really enjoy the tone with which Gibson writes, he writes pastorally and sensitively about a difficult and poorly-known book of the Bible. His illustration of many of the concepts within the book were helpful and appropriately applied.
Gibson, through God’s Word, helpfully shows readers how to live rightly and well in the hope of eternal glory. Through lifting our eyes to the immortal, invisible, he helps understand the meaninglessness of earthly fun and the surprising meaning of adversities and negativities in life. I felt the warning against always living life in that “house of feasting”. Life, is not all about the good times, and though the good times aren’t evil, the good times are often taken for granted. I think we learn more from the bad times than the good.
My only very minor criticism would be to do with the structure of the book. Was this book overstructured? Would it have read better with thematic chapters? Or, would it have read better as a shorter book with more focused references to smaller portions of the Scripture? Was it a short book trying to be a long book? Did it start as a much longer book which had large sections cut out? As someone who has never written a book I couldn’t possibly comment, but something about it just felt a little hard to follow at times.
Many thanks to David Gibson for opening up the book of Ecclesiastes to the inquisitive Christian. This is certainly a book we should spend more time in, especially if you’re a middle-class Brit like me.
Gibson, through God’s Word, helpfully shows readers how to live rightly and well in the hope of eternal glory. Through lifting our eyes to the immortal, invisible, he helps understand the meaninglessness of earthly fun and the surprising meaning of adversities and negativities in life. I felt the warning against always living life in that “house of feasting”. Life, is not all about the good times, and though the good times aren’t evil, the good times are often taken for granted. I think we learn more from the bad times than the good.
My only very minor criticism would be to do with the structure of the book. Was this book overstructured? Would it have read better with thematic chapters? Or, would it have read better as a shorter book with more focused references to smaller portions of the Scripture? Was it a short book trying to be a long book? Did it start as a much longer book which had large sections cut out? As someone who has never written a book I couldn’t possibly comment, but something about it just felt a little hard to follow at times.
Many thanks to David Gibson for opening up the book of Ecclesiastes to the inquisitive Christian. This is certainly a book we should spend more time in, especially if you’re a middle-class Brit like me.
January 28, 2021
Wonderful guide to the author’s intent of writing Ecclesiastes.
Does much of the analytical heavy lifting and leaves one space to enjoy the Words and God’s truths.
Has brought a freeing perspective to my life, in particular the reminder that God is a good good God and that we should enjoy Him and His world. And that living with the end in mind sharpens our focus on who God is and to live life well.
Does much of the analytical heavy lifting and leaves one space to enjoy the Words and God’s truths.
Has brought a freeing perspective to my life, in particular the reminder that God is a good good God and that we should enjoy Him and His world. And that living with the end in mind sharpens our focus on who God is and to live life well.
December 8, 2022
Very thought provoking and really draws out the wisdom from one of the more complicated books in the Bible.
Reminds us to see how the bigger picture of the Bible and ultimately the Gospel helps us to deal with frustrations and futility in life on earth. Especially speaks into the life of those who feel like they never stop in life and are always looking to the next thing!
Highly recommended.
Reminds us to see how the bigger picture of the Bible and ultimately the Gospel helps us to deal with frustrations and futility in life on earth. Especially speaks into the life of those who feel like they never stop in life and are always looking to the next thing!
Highly recommended.
January 4, 2023
A beautifully written book which shows the wisdom of the book of Ecclesiastes. It’s a shocking read but life giving and freeing. The main themes of the book are hammered home effectually, death gives us the right perspective on life, life is gift not gain and joy is to be pursued. A new favourite.
February 28, 2025
This book is definitely in my top 5 books I've ever read. David Gibson explains the book of Ecclesiasties so well, while bringing in extremely relevant applications. Not a word is out of place. It's both comforting and convicting. Can't recommend it enough if you're looking for a book that will reset your priorities.
March 19, 2025
A superb book, and one that really reframes your perspective on life. David Gibson takes the reader through the Bible book of Ecclesiastes, a book about the confusing and complex nature of life here on Earth that is, itself, confusing and complex. The simple truth is that 'the same destiny overtakes all', and it is only by accepting the reality and certainty of death (however unnatural and evil it may be) that a person can truly live. A must read.
August 2, 2023
What a beautiful work. It was so deeply personal, and so convicting, and overflowing with wisdom. David Gibson expounds on what is personally a very difficult book to understand, and I'm sure I'm not alone in that. It is entirely evident that incredible care has gone into compiling this, and it does not miss the mark. There is so much content and so many words to ponder in each individual chapter that one might be able to simply study one of them and get an immense amount of edification out of it. For those who often have 'aha!' moments, this book is full of them. I often had to pause because David's expounding just made so many things clear. Highly recommend.
SECOND READING: (I’ll just caveat how embarrassing it is to see the above review in light of my second one)
This second read-through was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I had expected time and changes in doctrine to nullify the merits I once saw in this book, but I was surprised to see that it still holds its fire.
To begin, I was shocked and pleased to see the acknowledgments of Nathan Wilson and Douglas Wilson’s influence on Gibson’s writing. His hope is that his book will serve as an ‘uninvited companion’ to ‘Death By Living’ and that all who read his book will also read Wilson’s. Fascinatingly, he also quotes Douglas Wilson’s ‘Joy at the End of the Tether’ (Canon Press, 1999) a handful of times as well. I wouldn’t have thought that this author shared a similar worldview to those over in Moscow, ID, or would commend their works, but it was a pleasant surprise to note his commendation.
I like Gibson’s thoughts on hedonism. He constructs an argument as to why mankind pursues happiness as its highest aim, and then dashes these ideas to the dust by saying that ‘God has given the good things of the world to us and they are their own reward’. We pursue things, in this light, and pursue God above all else, for what they and He are, not what our narcissistic minds need them and He to be in order to be happy.
Gibson emphasises a mindset of loving others and prioritising their needs over thinking about ourselves and obsessing about the future. Not that this is entirely incorrect, but I would have liked to have seen the author point a bit higher and aim at loving God being the solution. As a fine pastor recently said, ‘you shall not know all your ways, but you shall know your God in all your ways.’ Then, love for neighbour flows from love of God. Perhaps I am simplifying Gibson’s argument, but he does boil that chapter down to the idea of ‘we, not me’.
I am disappointed that Gibson did not cover the entirety of Ecclesiastes in this book, as that seems to have been the aim. He exposits systematically from chapters 1-5:7 and then skips to chapter 7. He skips from 7:25 to chapter 9, then from 9:12 to chapter 11. I am slightly bewildered as to why Gibson did not find their inclusion necessary. I also think that were Gibson to revisit this book, he might remove the reference to Eugene Peterson, who is hardly someone that I would find worthwhile to associate with.
Finally, I appreciated a sneaky taste of postmillennialism in Gibson’s writing, despite knowing for a fact that Gibson would call himself amil. He bashes the idea of nostalgia as a denial of God’s real presence in the present. Because God’s presence has always been consistent, he argues, can anyone really say that the past was better and that things are getting worse?
I’d heartily recommend either of the two Wilson’s books as listed above. I don’t know quite yet whether I would be of the same mind towards this one. I found ‘Death By Living’ to be a far more practical book and caused me to think a good deal more than this one did. Wilson is more gritty and brutal, which I also prefer. I suppose what I am saying is that if you desire a book that better presents the same concepts in this one, read ‘Death By Living’.
SECOND READING: (I’ll just caveat how embarrassing it is to see the above review in light of my second one)
This second read-through was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I had expected time and changes in doctrine to nullify the merits I once saw in this book, but I was surprised to see that it still holds its fire.
To begin, I was shocked and pleased to see the acknowledgments of Nathan Wilson and Douglas Wilson’s influence on Gibson’s writing. His hope is that his book will serve as an ‘uninvited companion’ to ‘Death By Living’ and that all who read his book will also read Wilson’s. Fascinatingly, he also quotes Douglas Wilson’s ‘Joy at the End of the Tether’ (Canon Press, 1999) a handful of times as well. I wouldn’t have thought that this author shared a similar worldview to those over in Moscow, ID, or would commend their works, but it was a pleasant surprise to note his commendation.
I like Gibson’s thoughts on hedonism. He constructs an argument as to why mankind pursues happiness as its highest aim, and then dashes these ideas to the dust by saying that ‘God has given the good things of the world to us and they are their own reward’. We pursue things, in this light, and pursue God above all else, for what they and He are, not what our narcissistic minds need them and He to be in order to be happy.
Gibson emphasises a mindset of loving others and prioritising their needs over thinking about ourselves and obsessing about the future. Not that this is entirely incorrect, but I would have liked to have seen the author point a bit higher and aim at loving God being the solution. As a fine pastor recently said, ‘you shall not know all your ways, but you shall know your God in all your ways.’ Then, love for neighbour flows from love of God. Perhaps I am simplifying Gibson’s argument, but he does boil that chapter down to the idea of ‘we, not me’.
I am disappointed that Gibson did not cover the entirety of Ecclesiastes in this book, as that seems to have been the aim. He exposits systematically from chapters 1-5:7 and then skips to chapter 7. He skips from 7:25 to chapter 9, then from 9:12 to chapter 11. I am slightly bewildered as to why Gibson did not find their inclusion necessary. I also think that were Gibson to revisit this book, he might remove the reference to Eugene Peterson, who is hardly someone that I would find worthwhile to associate with.
Finally, I appreciated a sneaky taste of postmillennialism in Gibson’s writing, despite knowing for a fact that Gibson would call himself amil. He bashes the idea of nostalgia as a denial of God’s real presence in the present. Because God’s presence has always been consistent, he argues, can anyone really say that the past was better and that things are getting worse?
I’d heartily recommend either of the two Wilson’s books as listed above. I don’t know quite yet whether I would be of the same mind towards this one. I found ‘Death By Living’ to be a far more practical book and caused me to think a good deal more than this one did. Wilson is more gritty and brutal, which I also prefer. I suppose what I am saying is that if you desire a book that better presents the same concepts in this one, read ‘Death By Living’.
February 3, 2022
I'm not sure who came up with the feeble title 'Destiny', but it is (thankfully) by far the weakest part of what is otherwise a fantastic book. You can tell the reflections are a mere tip of the iceberg of Gibson's thinking and study on Ecclesiastes, but his work to make these reflections accessible and manageable for the reader is tremendously helpful. Great turns of phrase, great illustrations - this will definitely be my go to recommendations for reflections on Ecclesiastes.
It only really falls short of 5 stars as I was particularly frustrated by his lack of exposition on Ecclesiastes 8 (probably the hardest chapter in the book). His willingness to tackle other chapters which are usually ignored due to their difficulty however is admirable!
It only really falls short of 5 stars as I was particularly frustrated by his lack of exposition on Ecclesiastes 8 (probably the hardest chapter in the book). His willingness to tackle other chapters which are usually ignored due to their difficulty however is admirable!
March 23, 2025
Life is gift, not gain.
What a beautiful exposition of Ecclesiastes—it truly opened my eyes to more of the beauty and depth of this book. I agree with the author’s claim that its purpose is to share words of joy and pleasure—living for Christ and with Christ, letting the end reach back and shape our present. Death can radically enable us to enjoy life. Being in a right relationship with God, and a right relationship with our neighbor, flow all the happiness in life we will ever need.
I have much to ponder from what I read.
What a beautiful exposition of Ecclesiastes—it truly opened my eyes to more of the beauty and depth of this book. I agree with the author’s claim that its purpose is to share words of joy and pleasure—living for Christ and with Christ, letting the end reach back and shape our present. Death can radically enable us to enjoy life. Being in a right relationship with God, and a right relationship with our neighbor, flow all the happiness in life we will ever need.
I have much to ponder from what I read.
October 2, 2025
This was superb! Been reading this as a one-to-one with a fella in church over the last year, and has been excellent. The way that Gibson writes makes the book super accessible, easy to follow, and engaging. The book is both provoking and practical. It works really well as a personal study resource, but also for shared study. Gibson provides a really helpful walk through the book, with fascinating and eye-opening insights, that encourage, excite, and help the reader to understand how to live by facing the reality we will die. This reality is not something that should scare us, but challenge us to think, what does it mean to really live?
June 24, 2020
A really helpful exploration of Ecclesiastes.
August 28, 2023
Another great Ecclesiastes exposition to add to the list.
January 28, 2025
Seriously life changing
August 14, 2023
Best done devotionally alongside a reading of Ecclesiastes. Helpful thoughts from Gibson :)
January 14, 2021
Destiny is a very helpful study of the biblical book Ecclesiastes. Regrettably, this is a book that many Christians neglect to read today, believing it to be 'morbid' or too perplexing. Nevertheless, its message is clear and relevant (especially in our day and age): 'Only a proper perspective on death provides the true perspective on life'. Indeed, the reality of death bursts the comfortable bubbles of our lives, forcing us to see the reality of life on earth. Gibson's book helps us to apply this message to our lives as Christians. Rather than using the things of this world for our own 'gain' (which is not really 'gain' in the end, since we all die), we should see them as 'gifts' from a good God. Although 'life under the sun' is both complex and unpredictable, the Teacher of Ecclesiastes tells us that true contentment is found in fearing God and keeping his commandments (Ecc. 12:12). This is a very helpful book for any preacher preaching through Ecclesiastes! But, it is also much more that that - it is a book for anyone who wants to grow in their love for God and for the Lord Jesus.
June 28, 2020
I really loved this. Apart from the average title and the very average cover, this is an incredibly good book. It’s essentially ten very readable, very insightful, very impactful sermons on Ecclesiastes. My only quibble is I would have appreciated slightly more connection to Christ and the gospel.
February 20, 2025
The best book I have ever read (outside the Bible). This has given me a greater appreciation for God's blessings through the different seasons of life and in day-to-day living, while also reminding me that death is always near. Will read again in 6 months.
November 2, 2017
This is a brilliant look at the book of Ecclesiastes to discover the best way to live is in the light of death. Challenging as well as encouraging.
September 9, 2020
David Gibson's work takes a closer look at the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes, written (we believe) by Solomon, a man who had access to almost every pleasure one could hope for. Money, prestige, women.... yet the writer to Ecclesiastes sees all of these things as being like a mist... here today and gone tomorrow.
Gibson contends that the purpose of Ecclesiastes is not to dwell on the meaninglessness of things, but having recognised the ephemeral nature of our lives, to make the most of every moment that we have!
This was a wonderful book to read & my highlighter got a real workout!
Gibson contends that the purpose of Ecclesiastes is not to dwell on the meaninglessness of things, but having recognised the ephemeral nature of our lives, to make the most of every moment that we have!
This was a wonderful book to read & my highlighter got a real workout!
November 8, 2020
We read this book as a family on holiday and I found it really helpful in unpacking a book I hadn't read before. Ecclesiastes seemed a bit bizarre to me when first reading it but this book helped me to gain perspective. It helped me to see how different I am to God - I am finite, my life is like a vapour whereas God is the opposite. 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom' sunk deep into my heart as I grew into this perspective.
July 7, 2024
What an amazingly helpful book, and teaching through all of Ecclesiastes!
At a confronting level, Gibson addresses how difficult it is to live with death and God's judgement in the picture, but also how freeing it is to live with loose, content and generous hands.
I've been helpfully challenged to think about my future and present with the knowledge that not much is in my control, which is ok if I can trust God.
At a confronting level, Gibson addresses how difficult it is to live with death and God's judgement in the picture, but also how freeing it is to live with loose, content and generous hands.
I've been helpfully challenged to think about my future and present with the knowledge that not much is in my control, which is ok if I can trust God.
April 6, 2022
Really thought provoking.
Helped me understand a bit more about how to live a good life now in light of the fact we’ll all die.
I’m just not sure he really helped us to see the Lord Jesus in these texts though…
The chapter titled ‘Things to know when you don’t know’ had a particularly odd closing line:
“You’ve only got one life, so live it”
Clearly that’s what Ecclesiastes says. That’s what the text says. But is that all God’s Word has to say? Does Christ make any difference at all? Are we still living in Qoheleth’s world?
I wonder if this book would go down quite well at a synagogue without too much hassle… maybe that’s just me being facetious.
Helped me understand a bit more about how to live a good life now in light of the fact we’ll all die.
I’m just not sure he really helped us to see the Lord Jesus in these texts though…
The chapter titled ‘Things to know when you don’t know’ had a particularly odd closing line:
“You’ve only got one life, so live it”
Clearly that’s what Ecclesiastes says. That’s what the text says. But is that all God’s Word has to say? Does Christ make any difference at all? Are we still living in Qoheleth’s world?
I wonder if this book would go down quite well at a synagogue without too much hassle… maybe that’s just me being facetious.
July 6, 2022
I highly recommend this book. It's written in an engaging style and I will definitely read it again. Life is fleeting and knowing that we will die should inform how we live now, how we live to glorify God now. This book is about that. Note it's sort of a commentary on Ecclesiastes, but misses out a couple of chapters.
December 14, 2023
This book helped me to enjoy life more. The message that life and it's different aspects are a gift and not a means to ultimate gain or meaning was a much needed reminder. My only crit is I think it could be more Christocentric, (under the assumption that every book of the bible is about Christ). But it's a great aid to the book of Ecclesiastes and I'd heartily recommend it. Will probably buy a couple copies as Christmas presents!
February 22, 2017
A helpful study in Ecclesiastes encouraging us to live life in light of our death and hope in Christ. Works through the book and helpfully includes the bible passages being studied. My only disappointment with it was that not all of Ecclesiastes was covered.
January 25, 2020
Excellent stuff. Only by living in the light of our inevitable death can we truly live.
Great for untangling Ecclesiastes and a helpful reminder of what our true priorities should be.
Maybe one to read at the start of each new decade!
Great for untangling Ecclesiastes and a helpful reminder of what our true priorities should be.
Maybe one to read at the start of each new decade!
April 16, 2020
I really enjoyed studying Ecclesiastes and reading this book alongside over the last few days. The book is somewhat helpful and clear. My wish is that he’d applied in a more explicitly trinitarian and christological way and with more engagement in what Ecclesiastes means in light of the New Testament and eternity / new creation.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews