"Drawing from the most recent scholarly studies in the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, these commentaries incorporate a reading of the books with a view toward connectivity and theological reflection. In addition to the imaginative artwork used for illustration, readers will find a broad appeal to contemporary literature and authors as touchstones for applied reflection. Because of its use of universal concepts and images and the absence of references to the particularistic appeal to ancient Israel's nationalistic story, these books from the wisdom literature of the Hebrew Bible may be some of the most relevant Biblical writing for the contemporary setting. For this reason readers are invited to recontextualize, through the perspectives of contemporary literatures, the wise council of Israel's ancient sages ... the primary goal of the Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary series is to make available serious, credible biblical scholarship in an accessible and less intimidating format. A visual generation of believers deserves a commentary series that contains not only the all-important textual commentary on Scripture, but images, photographs, maps, works of fine art, and drawings that bring the text to life. Each volume of the Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary series features a CD-ROM, which expands the uses and capabilities of the Commentary even more"--Publisher description.