Chasing the Wind: Finding Meaning in a Life Under the Sun
- Be God's Glory
- Jul 14
- 10 min read
Updated: Jul 14
Welcome to Day 195 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes 1–3 introduces the central themes of life’s fleeting nature, the frustration of worldly pursuits, and the sovereignty of God over time. Written by “the Teacher” (traditionally understood to be Solomon), these chapters reflect a deep philosophical and spiritual exploration of human existence. The Teacher begins by declaring that everything is “meaningless” or “vanity,” a repeated refrain that captures the feeling of emptiness in life apart from God. He then evaluates the value of wisdom, pleasure, work, and time, ultimately pointing to God’s divine order and timing as the only grounding force. These chapters are not declarations of despair, but rather an invitation to recognize that true meaning is found not in earthly gain, but in reverence and trust in God’s design.
Ecclesiastes 1 opens with a striking declaration: “Meaningless! Meaningless! Everything is meaningless!” The Hebrew word “hevel,” translated as “meaningless” or “vanity,” evokes the image of vapor or smoke—something fleeting and insubstantial. The Teacher laments the repetitive cycles of nature and human history, observing that nothing truly new happens under the sun. He reflects on his personal quest for wisdom and knowledge, only to find that increased wisdom brings increased sorrow. This chapter presents the dilemma of human striving: despite all efforts to gain understanding or alter reality, life seems to continue unchanged. The frustration lies not in knowledge itself but in the realization that even great wisdom cannot unravel life’s deepest mysteries or grant lasting fulfillment apart from God.
In Ecclesiastes 2, the Teacher turns from intellectual pursuits to personal indulgence, testing pleasure, wealth, and work to see if any of these bring true satisfaction. He builds houses, plants vineyards, amasses riches, and enjoys every form of entertainment, only to discover that all these efforts are still “vanity and a chasing after the wind.” The chapter paints a vivid picture of Solomon-like success and self-gratification, but it ultimately exposes the futility of self-centered living. Even hard work, which might seem noble, is disheartening when the results must be passed on to someone else who may not value it. This chapter critiques the illusion that meaning can be manufactured through achievements or sensory pleasures. Instead, the Teacher begins to hint that a God-centered life offers a truer joy than the pursuit of personal glory.
Ecclesiastes 3 presents the well-known passage about time: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” The Teacher poetically outlines the range of human experiences—birth and death, weeping and laughter, war and peace—emphasizing that all things happen according to God’s appointed time. This chapter marks a shift from despair to awe as the Teacher acknowledges God's sovereignty over time and human life. He asserts that God has “set eternity in the human heart,” meaning we long for purpose and understanding beyond our temporal existence, yet we cannot fully grasp God’s work from beginning to end. The response, then, is to revere God and find joy in the present, simple gifts—eating, drinking, and working—as blessings from His hand. Chapter 3 reminds us that though we may not control time, we can trust the One who does.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The name Ecclesiastes comes from the Greek translation of the Hebrew word Qoheleth, which means “the Teacher” or “the Preacher.” The term derives from the root word qahal, meaning “to assemble” or “to gather,” reflecting the speaker’s role in addressing an assembly. The Greek Ecclesiastes translates as “one who addresses a gathering,” tying closely to the idea of wisdom shared in a public setting.
Purpose of the Book:
Ecclesiastes serves as a philosophical exploration of life’s meaning apart from God. It addresses the futility and fleeting nature of earthly pursuits such as wealth, pleasure, work, and wisdom when disconnected from eternal purpose. The Teacher systematically examines every aspect of life “under the sun” and concludes that all is “vanity” (Hebrew: hevel, meaning vapor or breath) unless it is rooted in reverence for God. The ultimate message is that true fulfillment comes not from worldly gain, but from fearing God and keeping His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to King Solomon, son of David, who reigned over Israel during its golden age (10th century BC). Though Solomon is not named directly, the author is described in Ecclesiastes 1:1 as “the son of David, king in Jerusalem,” a strong internal clue. Further support for Solomonic authorship includes:
Ecclesiastes 1:12 – “I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.”
Ecclesiastes 2:9 – “I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me.” This aligns with the reign of Solomon, who was known for unmatched wisdom, wealth, and influence (see 1 Kings 4:29–34, 1 Kings 10:23–24).
Jewish tradition also credits Solomon with writing Ecclesiastes in his old age, after Proverbs (as a wise ruler) and Song of Songs (in his youth), forming a trilogy of wisdom literature.
Early Christian and Jewish sources, including the Talmud and writings by church fathers such as Jerome and Origen, affirm Solomon’s authorship.
However, some modern scholars debate this, suggesting that the book may have been compiled or edited later due to certain linguistic features. Regardless, the voice of Qoheleth is clearly presented as that of Solomonic authority.
Key People:
Ecclesiastes is largely philosophical and personal, so it doesn’t include a long list of characters. The key figure is:
Qoheleth (the Teacher) – The narrator and main voice of the book, traditionally understood to be Solomon.
God (Elohim) – Referenced repeatedly as the ultimate judge, giver of wisdom, and source of meaning. While no other historical or biblical figures are named, God’s presence is central throughout the book.
Conclusion
Ecclesiastes closes with a sobering yet hopeful conclusion: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). After examining every human pursuit, the Teacher reminds readers that life’s meaning is not found in possessions, status, or knowledge, but in a reverent relationship with God. Though life under the sun is fleeting, life under God’s rule is purposeful. Ecclesiastes calls us to humility, gratitude, and a grounded faith in the One who gives every season its time and every soul its purpose.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:
In Ecclesiastes 1, God is portrayed as sovereign and eternal, though indirectly. While His name is not directly mentioned, His presence is implied through the unchanging cycles of nature—sunrise and sunset, wind and water—that continue endlessly. This reflects God's sustaining power over creation. Even in the face of human frustration and limited understanding, God is unmovable, orderly, and deeply wise.
There are no specific Hebrew names of God used in this chapter. However, the Teacher’s lament over life’s futility points us to a deeper truth: that life apart from God is empty. The lesson here is that true meaning and fulfillment cannot be found in earthly wisdom or labor but only in recognizing our dependence on God’s eternal nature and perfect order.
Though not named directly, God’s character is seen through contrast in Ecclesiastes 2. The Teacher describes his pursuit of pleasure, accomplishments, and possessions, all of which result in emptiness. This reveals that God is the only source of lasting joy. His nature stands in contrast to temporary pleasures—He is enduring, generous, and the giver of true fulfillment.
No Hebrew names of God appear in this chapter, but God is mentioned more directly as the one who gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please Him (Ecclesiastes 2:26). The lesson is clear: worldly pursuits are fleeting, but God rewards those who honor Him with lasting contentment and peace that can’t be earned through human effort.
In Ecclesiastes 3, God's character is most clearly revealed so far. He is shown to be sovereign over time, seasons, and all events in life. God is purposeful, wise, and just—He appoints a time for everything and is in control even when humans do not understand. He is also eternal, placing a longing for eternity in human hearts.
The name HaElohim “The God” or “The Almighty God” is used multiple times in this chapter (e.g., Ecclesiastes 3:11, 13, 14). This name emphasizes God's supreme authority and power over all creation and time. The lesson in this chapter is that while we cannot control or fully grasp life, we are called to trust God's timing, enjoy the simple gifts He provides, and live in reverent awe of His eternal wisdom.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
What does Ecclesiastes 1–3 reveal about God's control over time and seasons?
How do the repetitive patterns in creation (sunrise, wind, rivers) reflect God’s consistent nature?
In what ways does God show Himself to be the only source of true wisdom and fulfillment in these chapters?
Why is it significant that God gives joy, wisdom, and knowledge to those who please Him (Ecclesiastes 2:26)?
What does it mean that God has "set eternity in the human heart" (Ecclesiastes 3:11), and what does that teach us about His eternal nature?
How do these chapters show God's patience and sovereignty in contrast to human striving?
How can recognizing God as the author of every season in life help us trust Him more deeply?
Questions About Themes:
What does the phrase “meaningless, meaningless” teach us about the limitations of earthly pursuits?
Why does the Teacher find both wisdom and pleasure ultimately unsatisfying?
How is the concept of “chasing the wind” used to emphasize the futility of a life disconnected from God?
What role does time play as a major theme in Ecclesiastes 3?
How do Ecclesiastes 1–3 contrast human effort with God’s divine purpose?
Why is contentment highlighted as a blessing from God in Ecclesiastes 3:12–13?
How does the cyclical nature of life reflect the idea that true purpose cannot be found in human achievement alone?
Reflective Application Questions:
In what areas of your life have you been “chasing the wind” by seeking fulfillment in temporary things?
How can you learn to embrace God's timing instead of striving for control over every outcome?
What are some simple gifts in your life today that you can thank God for?
How do you typically respond when life feels repetitive or lacking in meaning? How can you shift your focus to God?
What would it look like to “please God” in your daily choices (Ecclesiastes 2:26)?
How can recognizing God’s eternal nature reshape your view of your present season?
What does it mean for you personally to “fear God and do good” in light of Ecclesiastes 3?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
Comments