What is the meaning of “chasing the wind” in Ecclesiastes?

Answer

The book of Ecclesiastes mentions the phrase “chasing after the wind” at least seven times. Ecclesiastes 1:14 discusses pursuing the wind, which reflects the central theme of the entire book: “I have observed all the activities done under the sun; all of them are futile, like chasing the wind.” Chasing the wind symbolizes the pursuit of emptiness. The author of Ecclesiastes discovered that striving after meaningless things—things lacking eternal significance—is akin to chasing after the wind.

Solomon penned Ecclesiastes as a personal reflection, sharing the lessons life had imparted to him. He started off well. Handpicked by God from infancy to succeed his father, David, as the next king (2 Samuel 12:25;1 Chronicles 28:6;1 Chronicles 29:1), Solomon possessed everything necessary for a lifetime of prosperity. He had authority, status, wealth, and exceptional wisdom—all bestowed by the God who cherished him (2 Chronicles 1:7-12). Nevertheless, despite these blessings, he began to deviate from God’s decrees (1 Kings 11:3-4). He wrote Ecclesiastes towards the end of his life, reflecting on the insights gained.

His initial blunder in chasing after the wind was marrying numerous foreign wives, directly defying God’s instructions in Deuteronomy 17:16–17. During that era, it was customary for kings to wed daughters or sisters of foreign monarchs to establish alliances with those nations. Instead of relying on the God who had abundantly blessed him, Solomon followed the world’s practices, believing that he could ensure peace with neighboring nations. Additionally, he amassed a vast number of horses and chariots, importing them from Egypt, also in direct violation of God’s commands.Obedience to God’s law. Solomon learned too late that seeking meaning through abundance was only chasing the wind. «Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.», (Ecclesiastes 2:11).

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon lists the various vain pursuits that are equivalent to chasing after the wind:

• All things done “under the sun,” that is, in a human life lived apart from any consideration of God (1:14)

• Pursuing wisdom and the understanding of madness and folly (1:16–17)

• Rewarding oneself with pleasure (2:10–11)

• Seeking immortality (2:16–17)

• Thinking one can control the outcome of his life (2:26)

• Envious competition with one’s neighbor (4:4)

• Trying to make a lasting name for oneself (4:16)

Solomon’s conclusion was that, apart from seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness (see Matthew 6:33), life has no meaning. The things we pour our lives into on earth won’t last. Our projects, our hard work, our rivalries, alliances, and successes—nothing will last. We can’t hang on to the rewards of this world any more than we can grasp the wind.

Beginning with chapter 5 in Ecclesiastes, Solomon’s tone changes. He shares wise instruction, much as he did in the book of Proverbs «The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;», (Proverbs 1:1). By the end of the book, he has detailed all the avenues we take in our pursuit of meaning and pleasure and concludes that it is all chasing after the wind. His regal life of opulence, his foolish disobedience, and his subsequent wisdom are summed up in his final words: “Now all has been heard; here isThe conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Any pursuit that does not have as its aim the furtherance of God’s plan is merely chasing after the wind «Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. », (1 Corinthians 10:31).