Don't Waste Your Breath: Ecclesiastes and the Joy of a Fleeting Life

Endorsements:

In this accessible, experiential, and thought-provoking commentary, Brian Borgman provides faithful exegesis, practical application, and balanced perspective on perhaps one of the most misunderstood books of the Bible. Borgman demonstrates that Ecclesiastes is not about life's vanity (lack of purpose) but its vapor (lack of permanence). Although Solomon is realistic about life in a fallen world that is full of uncertainty, injustice, suffering, pain, and death, he also shows that man's vaporous life is full of God's beautiful gifts-like food, youth, work, and marriage-and that we can glorify our Creator by enjoying these gifts with thanksgiving. The good life, then, is one lived soli Deo gloria-for the glory of God alone and in the enjoyment of Him alone. Be prepared to have your assumptions about Ecclesiastes transformed!
--Joel R. Beeke Chancellor and Professor of Homiletics & Systematic Theology Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

Turns out, Ecclesiastes is far more encouraging than we've been led to think. At least, this is what Brian Borgman has concluded, and his case for this conclusion is at one and the same time well-informed, argued persuasively, clearly written, and spiritually enlivening. I finished my reading of his book with my head bowed in renewed gratitude to God for the privilege of yet another day granted by His grace and kindness. I don't want to waste another breath. Enjoy and serve, in humility, trust, and obedience. This is what life truly is about. I'm deeply grateful to Dr. Borgman for this valuable contribution to our understanding of this precious biblical book and for the tremendous encouragement it is to our faith.
--Bruce A. Ware Professor of Christian Theology The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky

I thank God that Brian Borgman not only preached through Ecclesiastes but also reduced his sermons to book form. This exposition of Ecclesiastes is a breath of fresh air. Here are twenty chapters of wisdom gleaned from someone who was stunned by the realization that life was a vapor. Solomon had enough God-inspired wisdom to appreciate the centrality of God as he took a mental journey through this brief and uncertain life. This book will help you to do the same. Enjoy the ride!
--Conrad Mbewe Pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church Founding chancellor of the African Christian University in Lusaka, Zambia

Brian takes a fresh positive approach to the book of Ecclesiastes, finding hope in the gospel despite the brevity of this life. This is not a book Brian could have written when he was thirty. He needed to pastor the same congregation for thirty years (marrying and burying), to become a grandfather, and to undergo brain surgery to gain the wise personal insights he offers in this book. This treatment of Ecclesiastes is personal, transparent, readable, carefully researched, and humble. I found this commentary so helpful that I am almost ready to take the plunge and preach from Ecclesiastes for the first time.
--Dr. Jim Newheiser Professor of Christian Counseling and Pastoral Theology Director of the Christian Counseling Program Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte IBCD Executive Director

In his new commentary on Ecclesiastes, Brian Borgman helpfully unravels much of the difficulty often found in this challenging book of the Bible. Well-written and reliable, this work will benefit any gospel minister with its solid exegesis and Christ-centeredness. This will be among the first resources I pull from my shelf whenever I preach from this book.
--Pastor Rob Ventura Author of Expository Outlines & Observations on Romans and co-author of A Portrait of Paul and Spiritual Warfare