Chasing the Wind
"Everything is futile!"
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The Teacher of Ecclesiastes says, "Futility of futilities! Everything is futile!" Generations come and go, there is nothing new under the sun, and trying to grasp it all is like chasing the wind. He despaired that he would have to leave all his work to someone else, but then he saw that eating, drinking, and enjoying your work are gifts from the hand of God.
Where it is in the Bible: Ecclesiastes 1:1-14 and 2:18-26
All the sections at a glanceA map of the passage, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Message
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Everything Is Futile | 1:1-3 | The Teacher asks what all our work is for |
| 2. Round and Round | 1:4-11 | Nature repeats, and people are forgotten |
| 3. Chasing the Wind | 1:12-14 | The Teacher tried to understand everything |
| 4. Who Gets It All? | 2:18-23 | You have to leave your work to someone else |
| 5. From the Hand of God | 2:24-26 | Enjoying life is God's gift |
Before You Read
Who wrote it. The book calls its author "the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem" (1:1). Many readers think of Solomon. Others think a later writer used Solomon's voice.
What this book is. Ecclesiastes is wisdom from someone who tried everything: work, money, pleasure, learning. He asks, "What's the point?"
What "futility" means. The Hebrew word is hevel. It means breath, vapor, mist. Something that disappears fast and can't be held. Some Bibles say "vanity" or "meaningless."
How to read it. This book is honest about how life can feel. Read to the end of the passage. The Teacher finds something good.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 5Everything Is Futile
"Futility of futilities," says the Teacher, "futility of futilities! Everything is futile!" (1:2).
Everything is like a breath. Here, then gone.
"What does a man gain from all his labor, at which he toils under the sun?" (1:3).
"Under the sun" means life on earth, seen from a human point of view.
Section 2 of 5Round and Round
Generations come and go. The earth stays.
The sun rises and sets. The wind blows round and round. Rivers flow into the sea, but the sea is never full.
"There is nothing new under the sun" (1:9).
People who came before are forgotten. We will be forgotten too.
Section 3 of 5Chasing the Wind
The Teacher tried to understand everything with wisdom.
"I have seen all the things that are done under the sun, and have found them all to be futile, a pursuit of the wind" (1:14).
Trying to hold on to it all is like trying to catch the wind.
Section 4 of 5Who Gets It All?
The Teacher worked hard and built great things. But one day he will die and leave it all to someone else.
Will that person be wise or foolish? Who knows?
"So my heart began to despair over all the labor that I had done under the sun" (2:20).
Even at night, his mind wouldn't rest.
Section 5 of 5From the Hand of God
Then the Teacher sees something.
"Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God" (2:24).
"For apart from Him, who can eat and who can find enjoyment?" (2:25).
Life can't be held on to. But it can be received, day by day, as a gift from God.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Everything is futile!" (1:2) | Life passes quickly, like a breath. |
| "What does a man gain from all his labor" (1:3) | Work alone can't give life meaning. |
| "There is nothing new under the sun" (1:9) | People keep repeating the same things. |
| "A pursuit of the wind" (1:14) | Trying to control everything is like grabbing air. |
| "I must leave it to the man who comes after me" (2:18) | We can't keep what we build. |
| "This is from the hand of God" (2:24) | Joy in ordinary life is God's gift. |
Back Then
Ecclesiastes means "one who gathers people." The Hebrew title is Qoheleth, "the Teacher" or "the Preacher."
Jewish communities read Ecclesiastes at the Feast of Booths, a harvest festival.
The book ends by saying, "Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man" (12:13).
Literal Reader Alert
Is the Bible saying life is meaningless? The Teacher is saying life "under the sun," without God, can't hold meaning. With God, ordinary life becomes a gift.
Should I stop working hard? No. The Teacher says enjoying your work is good, a gift from God. Just don't expect work to give your life its meaning.
What if I feel like this, like nothing matters? Many people feel that sometimes. Talk to someone you trust. If you ever feel hopeless or have thoughts of not wanting to live, please tell a trusted adult right away. You can also call or text 988 in the United States.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The Teacher | Weary | Everything repeats and passes away (1:8) |
| The Teacher | Despairing | He had to leave his work behind (2:20) |
| The Teacher | Content | He saw that joy is God's gift (2:24) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What are you chasing? Tap one.
Success
It's good, but it can't hold your life together.
Being remembered
The Teacher worried about that. God never forgets you.
Nothing matters
Talk to someone. God says you matter to him.
Joy
Enjoy today's food, work, and friends as God's gifts.
You Might Have Heard
"If you get enough money and success, you'll be happy."
What's true: Hard work and good things are blessings.
What the passage is mainly about: The Teacher had everything and found it was all like a breath. He found joy only when he received life as a gift from God's hand.
Where Jesus is: Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness" (John 10:10). In him, life isn't futile.
Good News
Life under the sun slips through our fingers. But it comes from God's hand.
"Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God" (2:24).
In Jesus, our lives are not a breath that vanishes. He gives life that lasts, and he gives joy in ordinary days.
The Teacher said, "Everything is futile," like chasing the wind. But eating, drinking, and enjoying your work are gifts from God's hand.
Big Idea
The Teacher found that everything under the sun is like a breath, a chasing of the wind. But ordinary joys are gifts from the hand of God.
If this passage brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther loved Ecclesiastes. He said it teaches us to enjoy the good things God gives today, with thankful hearts, instead of worrying about tomorrow.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year C, it reads Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14 and 2:18-23 in early August (Lectionary 18), next to Jesus's parable of the rich fool.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work.
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 18 Year CFirst reading, Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12–14; 2:18–23
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Chasing the Wind, explained in plain words. The Teacher tried everything and found it was like a breath. Then he found a gift. About 9 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/chasing-the-wind/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church