Biblical Theology: Past, Present, and Future (I)
Southwestern Journal of Theology
Volume 55, No. 2 – Spring 2013
Managing Editor: Terry L. Wilder
Enns, Peter. The Two Horizons Old Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2011. 238 pages. Paperback, $25.
The writer of Ecclesiastes queried, “What profit has the worker from that in which he labors?” In both his contribution to the field and commentary on the book of Ecclesiastes, Peter Enns has answered that question. Continuing the effort of the Two-Horizon series, which seeks to combine the foci of Biblical exegesis and theology, Enns has produced a helpful work for pastors, students, and anyone interested in the study of this enigmatic book of the Bible.
The writing style of the book is clear and easy to follow. Enns generally writes in first person as though including the reader on a journey of discovery with him in the text, pausing periodically to insert contemporary application. He explains that the difficulties and apparent contradictions of the text are real and intentional as the narrator allows the tension of swelling questions to lie unresolved until the Epilogue.
The structure of the book is clear and easy to follow. It is composed of an Introduction, Commentary, Theological Horizons, Contributions of Ecclesiastes to Biblical Theology, and the Significance of Ecclesiastes for Theology and Praxis today. The Introduction outlines the critical issues of the book and explains the author’s approach to the text. The main issues addressed in this section include questions of the purpose, authorship, narrator, date, and outline. Here, Enns also includes a list of key lexemes that are helpful in the understanding and organization of the book. Especially insightful is the discussion regarding the end of the book as key to the understanding of the book as a whole (7-16). Though Enns admits that the conclusion itself is “nothing new under the sun,” he demonstrates how the narrator has put Qohelet’s struggle in context, resolved to trust God, and shifts the focus to Israel’s responsibility (15, 115-16, 149, 170). The conclusion almost unexpectedly calls the reader back to faith in God “not despite the pain but through it” (116).
The Commentary section is based on the author’s division of the text into 16 pericopies. Each subsection includes an overview followed by an exegetical analysis. The commentary makes helpful use of Hebrew, as well as supportive footnotes for those interested in more in-depth study.
Due to the confines of the assignment of the series and the nature of the book of Ecclesiastes, Enns employs a variety of means of addressing the complex issues of the text. Sometimes, he offers his opinion on areas of difficulty, though not always giving multiple sides of the debate. At other times, he is content with living with a measure of ambiguity in the text. Still other times, the author pauses just long enough to identify areas of conflict, but leaves them unresolved.
In the Theological Issues section, Enns addresses nine themes apparent in Ecclesiastes. Here, he explains that the tension of Qohelet’s view of God is part of the fabric of the book, giving voice to the struggles of peaks and valleys of faith (124). The author’s discussion of “fearing God anyway” (149) may be one of the most valuable take-aways of the work. He describes Ecclesiastes as a “brutally honest book” (135) allowing the reader permission to conclude that harmony is not always better than tension (145). Enns elaborates on that issue by way of application in the section, “Ecclesiastes and the People of God” (182-91), identifying further points of identification for readers today with the struggle of and lessons learned by Qohelet.
The last section, “Significance for Theology and Praxis Today” further identifies areas of application for readers today. While the section seems to overlap the previous section, as the author allows (192, 195, 201), it further emphasizes and calls for honesty in faith’s journey (209).
The commentary, which encourages us to think of Solomon as we read it (133), reminds us of our own need for wisdom in life’s journey and faith to trust in God. Enns’ work will be a helpful contribution to anyone’s library interested in understanding and applying Ecclesiastes.
