Opening Up Ecclesiastes

by Jim Winter

Publisher:

Day One

, 2005

Overview

Ecclesiastes has much to say to any thinking person who seriously questions the meaning and purpose of life, especially in a universe that has little or no place for the God who created it. The writer leaves no stone unturned as he pursues his quest: philosophy, power, politics, pleasure and education are all carefully explored. Here is a man who appears to have everything—yet discovers that he has nothing. Ecclesiastes is a book meant to be read and digested—resonating with the sense of despair felt by many trapped in a materialistic world where time is rapidly running out—yet continually offering glimpses of hope, before unveiling the true meaning of life that can only be found in a living relationship with God.

Contents

Top Highlights

“His use of it gives hope to the reader, for it strongly implies that there is an area in which life is not meaningless—above the sun! He mentions four areas of investigation.” (Page 18)

“We may invest our lives pursuing things that at first seem almost priceless, only to discover that we have been wasting our time in pointless activity. It is vanity because such time is irretrievable—lost for ever.” (Page 16)

“The beauty comes in recognizing and acknowledging the place and purpose of every person, thing, or event in God’s overall plan.” (Page 55)

“The Hebrew translated as ‘vanity’ is hebel, which literally means ‘breeze, breath or vapour’.” (Page 15)

“The legitimate pleasures of this life, however, are a by-product of its first cause—to glorify God and enjoy him for ever.” (Page 32)

Product Details

• Title: Opening Up Ecclesiastes
• Author: Jim Winter
• Publisher: Day One
• Publication Date: 2005
• Pages: 160

About Jim Winter

Jim Winter has been an evangelical pastor in England for over twenty years and has preached and lectured in the UK, USA and southeast Asia. After a long period of ministry in London's inner city, he now lives and works in West Sussex. He and his wife, Marie, have two sons. He is the author of Depression: A Rescue Plan and Travel with William Booth.