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Joy at the End of the Tether: The Inscrutable Wisdom of Ecclesiastes Kindle Edition

by Douglas Wilson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 226 ratings
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The book of Ecclesiastes is confusing to many believers, who see it as a debate between an untrustworthy nihilist and a genuinely wise man who trust in God instead of giving way to despair. However, Douglas Wilson takes issue with this interpretation, arguing that the author of Ecclesiastes is looking at the world with biblically informed vision. Because God is sovereign and will one day judge all men and restore the world, believers can work, rejoice, marry, eat, and worship God in hope.

This book is published by Canon Press. At Canon Press, we’re gospel outfitters: no matter who you are or what you do, you’re called to be increasing in Biblical faithfulness. That’s because Jesus’s death and resurrection changed everything: All of Christ, for all of life, for all the world.

As the wisest man said, “Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has already accepted your works” (Eccl. 9:7).

We believe reformation and revival start from faith in the Lord with joyful obedience to the Bible, and that is what makes everyday tasks significant and transforms culture. Because of these beliefs, we offer books on Christian living, encouragement, contentment, raising kids, healthy marriages, educational choices, classical education, homeschooling, politics, government, feminism, identity, manhood, womanhood, singleness, virtue, and so much more.




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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Most Christians view the book of Ecclesiastes as an enigma, a puzzle from which we might draw a few aphorisms but little else. Douglas Wilson's fresh, lucid treatment of this wonderful book enables us to see that its message is not a confused riddle but an incisive indictment of 'the wisdom of this world.' We learn that what we call 'modernity' is simply a term for men sinning in the old ways with new toys and tools. There is truly nothing new 'under the sun'; man's problems today are exactly what they have been since the Fall. And the answer to man's problem is just as old, yet forever new-'the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.'" --Steve Wilkins, Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church

About the Author

Douglas Wilson is pastor of Christ Church, Moscow, Idaho and editor of Credenda/Agenda magazine. He is a Senior Fellow at New Saint Andrews College, as well as author of numerous titles, including Reforming Marriage, A Primer on Worship and Reformation, and Heaven Misplaced. He and his wife Nancy have three children and oodles of grandchildren.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07J1QYX2X
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (October 2, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 2, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3773 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 106 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 226 ratings

About the author

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Douglas Wilson

Douglas Wilson

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Douglas Wilson is pastor of Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, and the writer of numerous books, including Same-Sex Mirage: Phantasmagoria at the Altar & Some Biblical Responses.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
226 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

JoshSimons40
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoy your vain life under the sun
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2022
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Excellent. Just excellent. For the majority of my Christian life, Ecclesiastes has been one of my favorite books of the Bible. Chasing the wind is frequently a temptation. The vanity of life will also frequently interfere with that chase. Work must be done. Grass must be mowed. Bills must be paid. Consequences must come as the Lord is not mocked. I see all around me people spending their lives to make the darkness of their final days free of vanity. Safety. Security. Sure, make your plans. Obey. Take care of your body and bank accounts. Go for your hikes. If you are able to find enjoyment in any of that, it is a gift of God. If your story is one where you have caught the wind and it proves joyless, heed the advice of Solomon. Fear the Lord. This is the beginning of wisdom. Turn from chasing the wind, seek what it means to fear the Lord, and ask that he would show you what it means to find joy at the end of the tether.
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5.0 out of 5 stars The most accessible, insightful commentary on wisdom in Ecclesiastes
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2024
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I've read this brief text four times and used it for teaching to great effect. You will be hard pressed to find another commentary so dense with wisdom and as accessible for the layman in this genre. What Kidner did for Proverbs, Wilson has done for Ecclesiastes. If that sounds impossible, then read both again with their subjects at hand. Even the tone is right for the subject. This book is a gift to the church.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Good Explanations as always
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2020
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Enjoyed going through this. It was very helpful and kept my attention. Always enjoy Wilson’s writing. Definitely a recommended read.
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5.0 out of 5 stars opposite of depression.
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2023
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I’ve been using this as a sort of devotional. But being in the state of life I am now, mildly depressed and thinking I need to do something more with my life, I find this gem of a book that has done more to comfort my soul than anything else.

I am deeply comforted by the idea of being human in a world that Hod created… complete with things like music, work, art, the same coffee, the same people, the same paths to our daily doings and work. Monotony of monotony.

Wilson brings in perspective how pleasant it is to understand that life indeed is vain.

It is a bit like a commentary, would love to see a logos version of this… tagged and everything.Loved the book. 5 out of 5
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Amelia McCravy
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful perspective on the true meaning of joy
Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2011
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First off, I am not a theologian, so I won't take any theological angles with this review. However, I have read this book a couple of times and I find it to be a very refreshing perspective on biblical joy as it's presented in the book of Ecclesiastes. I very much enjoy the format that Douglas Wilson uses -- this book is fairly short, and he takes Ecclesiastes through from beginning to end without jumping around; nevertheless, he looks at every verse within context of its passage as well as the entirety of Ecclesiastes. It satisfies my number one rule with any Biblical study or narrative by remaining tied to scripture. Wilson does take a few occasional opportunities to insert what could be considered more political opinion than scriptural truth, but these segue ways are brief, easily distinguished from the teaching, and in my opinion they do not detract from the rest of the book. Ecclesiastes is a fantastic book to study, and is often very misunderstood or taken out of context, and this is the the best writing I've read on it.
9 people found this helpful
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dave
5.0 out of 5 stars Solid theology.
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2023
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Wilson at his best. Prob one of top ten books I have read—Wilson demonstrates the vanity of work within itself—for all-but for the Christian it does have a purpose.
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Sandra Kreider
5.0 out of 5 stars Great work
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2021
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Doug Wilson has given real insight into the advice Solomon give in the book of Ecclesiastes that is a real help toward pleasing God in these times. A pleasure to read while being encouraged in the Christian life.
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Debate worthy, interesting
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 1999
Such a terrible drought in our land! Not only is there a famine of joy, but a lack of understanding of what joy is. There is more than just this.
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Top reviews from other countries

Chris
5.0 out of 5 stars Ecclesiastes Explained
Reviewed in Canada on December 13, 2022
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Wilson, in his usual wit and way with words, takes you through Solomon's wisdom coherently and thoughtfully so that the Christian may understand the vanities of life.
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dawn kuruvilla
5.0 out of 5 stars Doug Wilson is the modern day Qoheleth
Reviewed in India on November 8, 2023
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Read this book with much rejoicing and hopeful expectancy in the sovereign God which it extols and gives due honour to, gladly knowing and accepting that it’s my lot in this misty life. But how can the thought of everything being a vapour and passing wind bring pleasure and encouragement to me ?!
Here is the word of the Lord- it is the gift of God..

Picked up and read for sense and sanity in a season of life clouded with uncertainty and tiredness. Provided nourishing fodder to the soul and anchor to the mind in an everlasting Christ the preacher looked forward to.
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