Title

The words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:

Introduction: Utter Futility

“Futile! Futile!” laments the Teacher. “Absolutely futile! Everything is futile!”

Futility Illustrated from Nature

What benefit do people get from all the effort which they expend on earth?

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.

Futility of Secular Accomplishment

I, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.

I decided to carefully and thoroughly examine all that has been accomplished on earth. I concluded: God has given people a burdensome task that keeps them occupied.

I reflected on everything that is accomplished by man on earth, and I concluded: Everything he has accomplished is futile—like chasing the wind!

What is bent cannot be straightened, and what is missing cannot be supplied.

Futility of Secular Wisdom

I thought to myself, “I have become much wiser than any of my predecessors who ruled over Jerusalem; I have acquired much wisdom and knowledge.”

So I decided to discern the benefit of wisdom and knowledge over foolish behavior and ideas; however, I concluded that even this endeavor is like trying to chase the wind.

For with great wisdom comes great frustration; whoever increases his knowledge merely increases his heartache.

Futility of Self-Indulgent Pleasure

I thought to myself, “Come now, I will try self-indulgent pleasure to see if it is worthwhile.” But I found that it also is futile.

I said of partying, “It is folly,” and of self-indulgent pleasure, “It accomplishes nothing!”

I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine (all the while my mind was guiding me with wisdom) and the effects of behaving foolishly, so that I might discover what is profitable for people to do on earth during the few days of their lives.

Futility of Materialism

I increased my possessions: I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself.

I designed royal gardens and parks for myself, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.

I constructed pools of water for myself, to irrigate my grove of flourishing trees.

I purchased male and female slaves, and I owned slaves who were born in my house; I also possessed more livestock—both herds and flocks— than any of my predecessors in Jerusalem.

I also amassed silver and gold for myself, as well as valuable treasures taken from kingdoms and provinces. I acquired male singers and female singers for myself, and what gives a man sensual delight—a harem of beautiful concubines.