Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

“The words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem: “Futile! Futile!” laments the Teacher, “Absolutely futile! Everything is futile!” What benefit do people get from all the effort which they expend on earth? A generation comes and a generation goes, but the earth remains the same through the ages. The sun rises and the sun sets; it hurries away to a place from which it rises again. The wind goes to the south and circles around to the north; round and round the wind goes and on its rounds it returns. All the streams flow into the sea, but the sea is not full, and to the place where the streams flow, there they will flow again. All this monotony is tiresome; no one can bear to describe it: The eye is never satisfied with seeing, nor is the ear ever content with hearing. What exists now is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing truly new on earth. Is there anything about which someone can say, “Look at this! It is new!”? It was already done long ago, before our time. No one remembers the former events, nor will anyone remember the events that are yet to happen; they will not be remembered by the future generations.”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭11‬ ‭NET‬‬

What are some of the most valuable things that you own? Now beyond physical items, what is valuable or precious to you, that without it, life would never be the same? Why do people often become frustrated, angry, or discouraged, and even depressed when these things are taken away from them?

What are some the most valuable things that when taken away life seems absolutely miserable? 

I was in college, and everyone usually must take a beginner psychology class. One of the only things I remember are the stages of life, and how people generally think during those phases. The older people are usually battling with whether they can leave a legacy or whether the decisions they made add up to a colossal failure. Why? Because they’re out of time. It makes sense. But why else would many of the elderly tend toward discouragement? There’s no purpose. 

Ecclesiastes commands us to continue eating and drinking, for life is meaningless. There is very little joy presented in the book. God is only mentioned a handful of times. People tend to shy away from it.

Vv. 1-2 give a general overview of the book. Authorship of the book is debated. I highly recommend the Bible project video of this book, which makes clear that there’s an author/narrator and then “the teacher” who is explaining all this philosophy.

V. 2: When he says, “Vanity of vanities,” that kind of sounds like other phrases all throughout the Bible. Where one word is repeated but in the plural form, right? Holy of holies. King of kings. Lord of Lords. It means, everything is absolutely vain or utterly futile. 

Now what does vain mean? Here, the literal sense refers to the wind. Or like your breath. It’s there and then it’s gone. How valuable or predictable or stable is something like that? What in life is futile or vain? Health? Possessions? Friendships? 

Now there are several places in the Bible, where even the context suggests that “all” does not mean all. This is one of those places, because later in the book, the author is going to talk about some things that are valuable and profitable. Can you think of some things that are not worthless?

Sovereign work of God (3:1-4:3)

Fearing God (2:26; 3:14-15; 11:9-12:1, 9, 13-14)

Enjoying life as a righteous person under the blessing of God is not “futile” (2:24-26; 11:9-10)

But by and large, everything as it relates to this earth and this world is here one day and gone the next. So what’s the point of existence? 

Now he’s not saying we should all just not exist. He’s telling the world, I’ve been around for a long time, and there’s nothing here that resembles any sort of purpose. Live accordingly. It’s our job to figure out what that means.  

Now who absolutely loves routine? Vacation is fun and all, but it ruins your schedule, your habits? Or there are people that have never looked at a planner or calendar in their life.

The author is going to use these endless cycles of our schedule and of nature to make a point that what we do is meaningless. 

READ V. 3. Seriously, what profit is there in working? (Money, self-esteem, providing for family) But at the end of the day, or at the end of life, what has really been accomplished? After all the tests are taken, all the homework completed, all the jobs completed, what impact has been made? Look at v. 4. For all of our efforts and achievements and accolades, guess what? Another generation is going to come after us and another one after them. And the only thing that lasts is the earth. He uses that word “toil” on purpose. It seems like that’s the only thing we really receive. The point of this passage is that all things are on a routine, and it’s monotonous for ages. There is no rest, regardless of the generation. And worse, people’s opinions and perspectives may change, but the world is just going to keep going. All is worthless.

How’s that for a little joy in your heart?

But he’s not done. Look at vv. 5-9. He uses nature to support his point. READ 5-9. He says that the sun “hurries” or pants, gasping for breath. The sun is working hard to get to the next spot. And for what? To do the same cycle over and over again, and what does he accomplish? Wearing himself out. He never really changes anything.

Wind is locked in a never-ending circular cycle. 

Rivers and streams are always flowing into the oceans and seas. This isn’t necessarily talking about the process of evaporation. It’s just noticing that these rivers never stop, and nothing new is accomplished.

Then we reach vv. 10-11. READ. Is there really nothing new under the sun? This does not deny man’s creativity or ability to invent, only the ultimate wonder of the achievement. Going to the moon and “discovering” America are the “same thing.” Different places. Different vehicles. Same essential action. Every new gadget and gizmo is just an update of what’s been done. Better form of communication. It’s nothing new. 

And verse 11 says that when you think something is stunning, it’s because you forget what already happened. And whatever you do that’s so amazing will be forgotten, too. So it’s ok. 

Can you ever relate to this author? Do you ever feel like you’re on an endless cycle with no off ramp? Like there’s no purpose to what you’re doing? He would probably say that you’re right. And there is none. 

So what is not futile? What isn’t a waste of effort? How can your labor not be in vain?

1 Corinthians 15:58 provides a clue, but maybe we should just sit and think about this for a second. Chew on it.

1:12-2:26

5:1-7

5:8-6:12