In chapters 1 and 2, Solomon used a term to express his perception of the many things he tried to find purpose in life: “But as I looked at everything I had tried, it was all so useless, a chasing of the wind, and there was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.” (Verse 11). Today we have people who chase, photograph, and report on events of tornadoes and hurricanes, but they are not able to stop them nor change their course. People chase the wind only to discover and report on the damage it does.
In verses 1-3, Solomon described three things he tried on a personal level. First, he tried being merry, but determined “it is silly to be laughing all the time”. Second, he tried alcoholic drinks but not enough to get drunk. Third, he tried folly some way to just take a break from the duties of life and have a good time. A lot of people each year vacation at Folly Beach, SC. But these are only temporary pleasures with no lasting value.
In verses 4-6, he “tried to find fulfillment by inaugurating a great public works program”. He went on to intimate these projects were for his personal benefit and not the public good, but we can’t be sure so we shouldn’t find fault. After all, he faulted himself for trying to find fulfillment in these things.
Beginning in verse 7, Solomon lists many other things he tried to find personal meaning and satisfaction in. Because he was king and had great amounts of wealth, he didn’t have to restrain himself to balance his budget. In verse 11, he gave us a glimpse of his frustration. “But as I looked at everything I had tried, it was all so useless, a chasing of the wind, and there was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.”
Then in verse 12, Solomon “began a study of the comparative virtues of wisdom and folly”. In verse 17, he wrote, “So now I hate life because it is so irrational; all is foolishness, chasing the wind.” Then in verse 20, he realized that the one thing he found some pleasure in (see verse 10), and he wrote, “So I turned in despair from hard work as the answer to my search for satisfaction.”
How many people look back on life whether short or long and wonder what has my life been worth? To far too many, the answer to their despair becomes homelessness, drugs, alcohol, sex or suicide.