As Solomon continues, he examines and explores everything human beings do on earth. This examination includes wisdom, pleasure, achievements and aquisitions. All of these fall short, each of them is empty in and of itself. These earthly, temporal pursuits cannot satisfy; each of these falls short, each is futile. All of our successes in life are actually fleeting, none will last forever; so you cannot find ultimate meaning or your own personal value in these pursuits.
As Solomon writes Ecclesiastes, as the teacher (Qohelet), he expresses various aspects that everyone experiences in life. Throughout Ecclesiastes, Solomon rehearses the frustration, futility, irony and fleeting nature of life. The difficulties that exist are described throughout Ecclesiastes as hevel or vanity (futility). This theme consistently appears throughout this wisdom literature. Together, all of these frustrations can be rightly engaged, only as we rightly engage God through his revealed word. God offers the perspective and strength that we need to endure the hardships, trials and frustrations that life presents. This is why Solomon calls everyone to fear God and to keep his commands – to follow his instructions. This will not take away the frustrations of life, but it does offer a proper framework by which view them.
