7 April Ecclesiastes 2
- Werner Jansen van rensburg
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
Ecclesiastes 2 describes Solomon's pursuit of pleasure, wealth, and accomplishments, only to find them meaningless. Despite indulging in wisdom, luxury, and hard work, he concludes that without God, all these efforts are futile, like chasing the wind.
Chasing the Wind
In Ecclesiastes 2, Solomon vividly recounts his pursuit of life’s pleasures and achievements. He had it all—riches, power, wisdom, and luxury—and denied himself nothing that his heart desired. Yet, as he reflects on his accomplishments, he faces an uncomfortable truth. Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 (AMP) reads: "Whatever my eyes looked at with desire I did not refuse them. I did not withhold from my heart any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labour; and this was my reward for all my labour. Then I considered all which my hands had done and laboured to do, and behold, all was vanity and chasing after the wind and there was no profit (nothing of lasting value) under the sun." Solomon's life of indulgence had ultimately left him empty.
He compares all his hard work and lavish living to "chasing the wind." Ecclesiastes 2:11 (MSG) continues, "Then I took a good look at everything I’d done, looked at all the sweat and hard work. But when I looked, I saw nothing but smoke. Smoke and spitting into the wind. There was nothing to any of it. Nothing." Everything he had worked for, everything he had gathered, seemed as transient and elusive as smoke, offering no real or lasting satisfaction. The NLT translation emphasises the same: "But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere."
Solomon’s realisation speaks to us today. No matter how much pleasure we enjoy or success we attain, it’s all temporary. Our lives, our accomplishments, and our possessions are just fleeting moments in time. Once we’re gone, we leave it all behind. This sobering truth challenges us to ask: What are we really living for?
Eternal Significance
The answer lies in what has eternal significance. While achievements and wealth will fade, the one thing that remains is our relationship with God. 1 Corinthians 3:11-13 (AMP) reminds us that “no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will be clearly shown ; for the day will disclose it, because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality and character and worth of each person’s work.” Only what we build on Christ has lasting value, for all else will be tested and eventually burn away.
Similarly, in Matthew 6:19-21 (AMP), Jesus teaches: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Our true wealth lies in heaven, in what we’ve done for God and others, not in our earthly possessions.
Ultimately, everything finds meaning in Christ. As Colossians 1:16 (MSG) states, “For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him." True purpose comes not from chasing after worldly accomplishments but in aligning our lives with God’s eternal purpose.
In Solomon’s wisdom, we find a challenge and a call: rather than chasing the wind, let us pursue the eternal, where true meaning is found in God alone.