The Chase, the Crowd, and the Cost: Wrestling with Life's Empty Pursuits
- Be God's Glory
- Jul 15
- 10 min read
Welcome to Day 196 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes 4–6 dives deeper into Solomon’s raw reflections on the injustices, toil, worship, wealth, and meaninglessness that characterize life “under the sun.” These chapters confront the reader with life’s painful paradoxes—oppression without comfort, success that breeds envy, and wealth that brings anxiety rather than satisfaction. Solomon exposes how our pursuits—whether power, riches, or even religious rituals—can become hollow if not rooted in reverence for God. Each chapter uncovers different aspects of human dissatisfaction: loneliness in labor (ch. 4), emptiness in religion and wealth (ch. 5), and futility in prosperity without purpose (ch. 6). Together, these chapters highlight the limitations of earthly gain and urge readers to turn from vanity to the fear of God as the true path to contentment.
Ecclesiastes 4 opens with a sobering lament over oppression and the absence of comfort for the afflicted. Solomon notes that the oppressed suffer in silence, with no one to advocate for them, leading him to conclude that the dead or unborn are better off than the living. The chapter transitions to labor and success, suggesting that most toil is driven by envy and rivalry rather than purpose, rendering it meaningless. He emphasizes the wisdom of companionship—“two are better than one”—highlighting the strength, support, and warmth found in relationships. The final verses contrast the rise of a wise youth over an old, foolish king, only to reveal the fickleness of public opinion, underscoring how popularity and legacy, too, are fleeting. This chapter teaches that neither power nor loneliness nor status brings fulfillment—only Godly perspective does.
In Ecclesiastes 5, Solomon shifts his focus to worship, issuing a warning about approaching God with reverence rather than careless words. He cautions against making rash vows to God, reminding readers that God is in heaven and we are on earth, so our words should be few and sincere. The chapter then tackles the injustices of wealth, explaining how the love of money never satisfies and leads to sleepless nights and anxious hearts. Solomon emphasizes that riches are often lost or left behind at death, stripping them of ultimate value. Instead, he praises the rare gift from God—the ability to enjoy one's labor, wealth, and life as a divine blessing. This chapter encourages a posture of fear before God and gratitude for simple, God-given pleasures.
Ecclesiastes 6 explores the bitter irony of prosperity without the power to enjoy it. Solomon describes a man blessed with wealth, possessions, and honor—yet unable to find satisfaction because God does not permit him to enjoy it, and a stranger consumes it instead. He compares this man’s life to a stillborn child, who, though never seeing the sun, experiences more rest than a person who lives long without fulfillment. Solomon declares that even if a man lived a thousand years twice over, without contentment, it would be meaningless. The chapter concludes by challenging the reader to recognize the limits of human understanding and ambition, reminding us that only God knows what is truly good for our fleeting lives. Ultimately, the chapter drives home the point that apart from God, even the best circumstances amount to futility.
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 4, God is not directly named, yet His character is still present in the background of Solomon’s reflections. The absence of comfort for the oppressed highlights a deep human need for the justice and mercy that only God fully embodies. Though not always seen, God is the One who values companionship, mercy, and the dignity of each life, countering the isolation and injustice the chapter describes. He is a God who desires community, compassion, and humility in how we live and labor.
This chapter teaches that success and toil without meaningful relationships are empty. God reminds us that we were created for fellowship—not just with others, but ultimately with Him. The comfort, value, and purpose we long for are found in connection, not in striving alone.
God is directly referenced in Ecclesiastes 5, especially in the context of worship. He is portrayed as holy, transcendent, and sovereign—“God is in heaven and you are on earth” (v.2), a clear reminder of His supreme position over all creation. God is not impressed by empty words or rash vows; He desires reverent, truthful hearts. His character is that of a righteous Judge who takes worship seriously and values integrity and humility before Him.
The Hebrew word Elohim is used repeatedly in this chapter, emphasizing God's supreme authority and justice. The lesson God teaches here is that worship is not about performance or words, but about approaching Him with fear, honesty, and respect. He wants our hearts, not hollow promises, and He alone gives true satisfaction in life’s blessings.
In Ecclesiastes 6, God is again referred to as Elohim, showing Him as the sovereign Giver of wealth, honor, and the ability to enjoy life. His character is revealed through contrast—though He gives good things, He alone controls whether one can enjoy them. This reminds us that God is not just the Giver of gifts but the Source of joy and contentment as well.
The lesson here is sobering: life’s blessings are meaningless without God granting the heart to enjoy them. True satisfaction comes not from possessions or long life, but from recognizing God as the center of our joy. Without Him, even abundance leaves us empty.
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 5 teach us about God’s holiness and how we should approach Him in worship?
How does God’s sovereignty appear in Ecclesiastes 6, even when people cannot enjoy the blessings they receive?
In what ways do the themes of justice and comfort in Ecclesiastes 4 reflect God’s compassionate nature?
How does Solomon’s reverence for God in Ecclesiastes 5 help us understand the fear of the Lord?
Why do you think God sometimes allows people to gain wealth but not the ability to enjoy it (Ecclesiastes 6:2)?
How can we trust God's character even when life seems unfair, as described in Ecclesiastes 4?
What does Ecclesiastes 5 reveal about God's view of our words and promises?
Questions About Themes:
What does Ecclesiastes 4 reveal about the dangers of isolation and the value of community?
How does envy drive human behavior, according to Ecclesiastes 4:4, and what does that say about our motives?
Why does Solomon say that it’s better not to make a vow than to make one and not keep it (Ecclesiastes 5:5)?
What does Ecclesiastes 5 teach about the connection between wealth and dissatisfaction?
How is the theme of meaninglessness portrayed differently in Ecclesiastes 6 compared to chapters 4 and 5?
Why does Solomon compare an unfulfilled wealthy life to a stillborn child in Ecclesiastes 6?
How do these chapters challenge the belief that success and possessions automatically bring joy?
Reflective Application Questions:
Are you currently striving in your work or ministry alone—how might God be calling you to build or strengthen community (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12)?
Have you been offering empty words to God in prayer or worship, and how can you approach Him more reverently?
In what ways have you made promises to God that you haven’t fulfilled—and how can you return to honoring those commitments (Ecclesiastes 5:4–6)?
Are you pursuing wealth or recognition in ways that distract you from enjoying the simple blessings God has already given?
How can you guard your heart against envy when you see others succeed?
Is there an area in your life where you’ve been looking for fulfillment apart from God? How has that pursuit left you feeling?
How can you practice contentment and gratitude today, trusting that joy comes from God and not your circumstances?
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