Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs (Westminster Bible Companion) |
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Ellen F. Davis
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Pages: 320 (Paperback)
ISBN: 0664255221
Pub: Westminster/John Knox Press,U.S.
Pub date: 2000-09-22
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 153170
Reader Reviews:
An outstanding commentary on the meaning of life. (0/0 people found this helpful)
The 'wisdom literature' of the Bible can be difficult to apply to life in the twenty-first century. It speaks of life as it was long ago and can seem very remote to a modern reader. Furthermore, the texts contain little in the way of structure or direction and are often used only as a source of an 'improving moral'.
Ellen F Davis has taken a close look at the three books of poetry traditionally ascribed to the hand of King Solomon: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes (or Koheleth) and the Song of Songs. Every page of her book reflects Davis's love for her material and, though she is clearly familiar with recent scholarship, she wears it lightly. This is a very readable commentary that explores the background to the wisdom literature, its original purpose and the various ways that it can speak to a modern reader. Davis has a knack for throwing light into dusty corners to reveal little gems and an ability to provide new insight into passages that might seem hackneyed or irrelevant. How can the humanistic and cynical outlook of Proverbs be of value today? How often does a preacher today use a text from the Song of Songs? Yet many preachers of the past (such as C H Spurgeon) did, and Davis demonstrates why.
In Davis's own words: 'Great works stir us because they awaken in us a longing for what is essential for our humanity. The poet-sages of ancient Israel enable us to see "Lady Wisdom's" beauty, that we may love her, lay hold of her, live, and live well.' This is an outstanding biblical commentary, but it is more than that, it is an outstanding commentary on the meaning of life and our relationship with God. This book deserves space on the bookshelf of any preacher or pastoral counsellor.
An outstanding commentary on the meaning of life. (3/3 people found this helpful)
The 'wisdom literature' of the Bible can be difficult to apply to life in the twenty-first century. It speaks of life as it was long ago and can seem very remote to a modern reader. Furthermore, the texts contain little in the way of structure or drection and are often used only as a source of an 'improving moral'.
Ellen F Davis has taken a close look at the three books of poetry traditionally ascribed to the hand of King Solomon: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes (or Koheleth) and the Song of Songs. Every page of her book reflects Davis's love for her material and, though she is clearly familiar with recent scholarship, she wears it lightly. This is a very readable commentary that explores the background to the wisdom literature, its original purpose and the various ways that it can speak to a modern reader. Davis has a knack for throwing light into dusty corners to reveal little gems and an ability to provide new insight into passages that might seem hackneyed or irrelevant. How can the humanistic and cynical outlook of Proverbs be of value today? How often does a preacher today use a text from the Song of Songs? Yet many preachers of the past (such as C H Spurgeon) did, and Davis demonstrates why.
In Davis's own words: 'Great works stir us because they awaken in us a longing for what is essential for our humanity. The poet-sages of ancient Israel enable us to see "Lady Wisdom's" beauty, that we may love her, lay hold of her, live, and live well.' This is an outstanding biblical commentary, but it is more than that, it is an outstanding commentary on the meaning of life and our relationship with God. This book deserves space on the bookshelf of any preacher or pastoral counsellor.
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