Ecclesiastes is a profound and unflinching meditation on the meaning of life, as seen through the eyes of “the Teacher.” He begins with the stark conclusion that everything “under the sun” is “hevel”—a Hebrew word meaning vapor, smoke, or futility. From this starting point, he embarks on an experimental quest, pursuing fulfillment in wisdom, pleasure, great works, and wealth, only to find each path a dead end. The book observes the world’s frustrating cycles, its injustices, and the finality of death that renders all human achievement moot. Yet, this bleak assessment is not the final word. By stripping away false hopes, Ecclesiastes directs the reader to find joy in the simple gifts of God and to ground one’s life in the only thing that endures: a reverent fear of God and obedience to His commands.