◄ Ecclesiastes 1:6 ►
The wind blows southward, then turns northward; round and round it swirls, ever returning on its course.
Study Bible
Blowing southward
The Hebrew word for "blowing" is "נָשַׁב" (nashab), which conveys the idea of a continuous, persistent action. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the south wind was often associated with warmth and change. This phrase suggests the relentless and predictable nature of the wind, symbolizing the cycles of life that God has ordained. The southward movement can be seen as a metaphor for the journey of life, moving towards warmth and growth, reflecting the divine order in creation.

then turning northward
The Hebrew word "סָבַב" (sabab) means to turn or to go around. The north wind, in contrast to the south, was often cooler and could bring storms. This turning northward represents the inevitable changes and challenges in life. It highlights the sovereignty of God over the natural world and the human experience, reminding believers that life is full of seasons, each with its purpose under heaven.

round and round the wind swirls
The repetition of "round and round" emphasizes the cyclical nature of the wind's movement. The Hebrew root "סָבַב" (sabab) is used again, reinforcing the idea of a continuous cycle. This imagery of swirling wind can be seen as a reflection of the repetitive and sometimes seemingly futile nature of human endeavors. Yet, it also points to the divine orchestration behind these cycles, encouraging believers to trust in God's eternal plan.

ever returning on its course
The phrase "ever returning" suggests a perpetual, unending cycle. The Hebrew word "שָׁב" (shab) means to return or to go back. This highlights the constancy and reliability of God's creation. The wind's course is set by God, and it faithfully follows its path. This serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the assurance that, despite life's uncertainties, God's purposes remain steadfast and unchanging.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He reflects on the cyclical nature of life and the futility of human endeavors without God.

2. Jerusalem
- The city where Solomon reigned as king. It serves as the backdrop for his reflections and teachings in Ecclesiastes.

3. The Wind
- A natural phenomenon used metaphorically by Solomon to illustrate the repetitive and seemingly purposeless cycles of life.
Teaching Points
The Cyclical Nature of Life
Life often feels repetitive and monotonous, much like the wind's constant movement. Recognizing this can lead us to seek deeper meaning beyond the surface of daily routines.

God's Sovereignty Over Creation
The wind's course is not random but part of God's ordered creation. Trusting in God's sovereignty can bring peace amidst life's uncertainties.

The Search for Meaning
Solomon's observation of the wind's cycles invites us to reflect on where we find meaning. True fulfillment is found in a relationship with God, not in the endless cycles of worldly pursuits.

Embracing Change and Constancy
Just as the wind changes direction yet remains constant in its presence, we can embrace life's changes while holding onto the constancy of God's presence.

Reflecting on Our Life's Course
Like the wind, our lives have a course. Reflecting on our direction and purpose can help us align our lives with God's will.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the metaphor of the wind in Ecclesiastes 1:6 help us understand the nature of life's cycles?

2. In what ways can recognizing the repetitive nature of life lead us to seek deeper meaning in our relationship with God?

3. How does the concept of God's sovereignty over the wind and nature provide comfort in times of uncertainty?

4. What are some practical ways we can embrace both change and constancy in our spiritual journey?

5. How can reflecting on the course of our lives help us align more closely with God's purpose for us?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 8:22
- This verse speaks of the enduring cycles of nature, such as seedtime and harvest, which parallels the cyclical nature of the wind described in Ecclesiastes 1:6.

John 3:8
- Jesus uses the wind as a metaphor for the Spirit, highlighting the mysterious and sovereign nature of God's work, which can be related to the unpredictable yet ordered movement of the wind in Ecclesiastes.

Psalm 135:7
- This verse acknowledges God's control over the natural elements, including the wind, reinforcing the idea that God is sovereign over the cycles described in Ecclesiastes.
Sermons
The Summary of a Life's ExperienceJ. Willcock Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
The Stability of NatureW. Clarkson Ecclesiastes 1:4-7
Opposite Ideas of LifeHomilistEcclesiastes 1:4-10
The Abiding EarthU. R. Thomas.Ecclesiastes 1:4-10
The Durability of the Earth Contrasted with Human MortalityJ. Foster.Ecclesiastes 1:4-10
The Earth Permanent, Man TransitoryJ. A. Jacob, M. A.Ecclesiastes 1:4-10
The Law of CircularityH. Macmillan, D. D.Ecclesiastes 1:4-10
The Passing of HumanityH. Macmillan, D. D.Ecclesiastes 1:4-10
The Passing of HumanityS. Hillyard.Ecclesiastes 1:4-10
What Passes and What AbidesA. Maclaren, D. D.Ecclesiastes 1:4-10
The Cycles of NatureD. Thomas Ecclesiastes 1:5-7
People
David, Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Along, Blowing, Blows, Circling, Circuit, Circuits, Circular, Continually, Continues, Course, Courses, Goes, North, Returned, Returneth, Returning, Returns, Round, South, Swirling, Towards, Turneth, Turning, Turns, Whirleth, Wind
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ecclesiastes 1:6

     4842   north

Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

     5916   pessimism

Library
Two views of Life
'This sore travail hath God given to the sons of man, to be exercised therewith.--ECCLES. i. 13. 'He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.'--HEBREWS xii. 10. These two texts set before us human life as it looks to two observers. The former admits that God shapes it; but to him it seems sore travail, the expenditure of much trouble and efforts; the results of which seem to be nothing beyond profitless exercise. There is an immense activity and nothing to show for it at the end …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

What Passes and what Abides
'One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.'--ECCLES. i. 4. 'And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.'--1 JOHN ii. 17. A great river may run through more than one kingdom, and bear more than one name, but its flow is unbroken. The river of time runs continuously, taking no heed of dates and calendars. The importance that we attach to the beginnings or endings of years and centuries is a …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Past and the Future
'The thing that hath been, it is that which shall he; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.'--ECCLES. i. 9. 'That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles.'--l PETER iv. 2, 3. If you will look at these two passages carefully you will, I think, see that they imply two different, and in some respects …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Eusebius' Birth and Training. His Life in Cæsarea Until the Outbreak of the Persecution.
Our author was commonly known among the ancients as Eusebius of Cæsarea or Eusebius Pamphili. The former designation arose from the fact that he was bishop of the church in Cæsarea for many years; the latter from the fact that he was the intimate friend and devoted admirer of Pamphilus, a presbyter of Cæsarea and a martyr. Some such specific appellation was necessary to distinguish him from others of the same name. Smith and Wace's Dictionary of Christian Biography mentions 137 …
Eusebius Pamphilius—Church History

Introduction to vita S. Antoni.
(Written between 356 and 362) The Life of St. Antony is included in the present collection partly on account of the important influence it has exercised upon the development of the ascetic life in the Church, partly and more especially on the ground of its strong claim to rank as a work of Athanasius. If that claim were undisputed, no apology would be needed for its presence in this volume. If on the other hand its spurious and unhistorical character had been finally demonstrated, its insertion would …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

"And Hereby we do Know that we Know Him, if we Keep his Commandments. "
1 John ii. 3.--"And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments." This age pretends to much knowledge beyond former ages, knowledge, I say, not only in other natural arts and sciences, but especially in religion. Whether there be any great advancement in other knowledge, and improvement of that which was, to a further extent and clearness, I cannot judge, but I believe there is not much of it in this nation, nor do we so much pretend to it. But, we talk of the enlargements of …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Literature.
In making the following thread to the rich literature on Constantine the plan has been to confine almost wholly to Monographs, since to refer to all histories, encyclopædias, and the like which treat of him would be endless. Only such few analyzed references are introduced as have special reasons. Even with this limit it cannot be at all hoped that the list is exhaustive. Considerable pains has been taken, however, to make it full, as there is no really extended modern list of works on Constantine, …
Eusebius Pamphilius—The Life of Constantine

Temporal Advantages.
"We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."--1 Tim. vi. 7, 8. Every age has its own special sins and temptations. Impatience with their lot, murmuring, grudging, unthankfulness, discontent, are sins common to men at all times, but I suppose one of those sins which belongs to our age more than to another, is desire of a greater portion of worldly goods than God has given us,--ambition and covetousness …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

Of the Imitation of Christ, and of Contempt of the World and all Its Vanities
He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,(1) saith the Lord. These are the words of Christ; and they teach us how far we must imitate His life and character, if we seek true illumination, and deliverance from all blindness of heart. Let it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell upon the life of Jesus Christ. 2. His teaching surpasseth all teaching of holy men, and such as have His Spirit find therein the hidden manna.(2) But there are many who, though they frequently hear the Gospel, …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

The Order of Thought which Surrounded the Development of Jesus.
As the cooled earth no longer permits us to understand the phenomena of primitive creation, because the fire which penetrated it is extinct, so deliberate explanations have always appeared somewhat insufficient when applying our timid methods of induction to the revolutions of the creative epochs which have decided the fate of humanity. Jesus lived at one of those times when the game of public life is freely played, and when the stake of human activity is increased a hundredfold. Every great part, …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

Messiah's Easy Yoke
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. T hough the influence of education and example, may dispose us to acknowledge the Gospel to be a revelation from God; it can only be rightly understood, or duly prized, by those persons who feel themselves in the circumstances of distress, which it is designed to relieve. No Israelite would think of fleeing to a city of refuge (Joshua 20:2. …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, for Growth in Knowledge.
It is a commanded duty, that we grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, 2 Pet. iii. 18; and the knowledge of him being life eternal, John xvii. 3, and our measure of knowledge of him here being but imperfect, for we know but in part, it cannot but be an useful duty, and a desirable thing, to be growing in this knowledge. This is to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, to be increasing in the knowledge of God, Col. i. 10. Knowledge must be added to virtue; and it layeth a ground for other Christian …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Joy
'The fruit of the Spirit is joy.' Gal 5:52. The third fruit of justification, adoption, and sanctification, is joy in the Holy Ghost. Joy is setting the soul upon the top of a pinnacle - it is the cream of the sincere milk of the word. Spiritual joy is a sweet and delightful passion, arising from the apprehension and feeling of some good, whereby the soul is supported under present troubles, and fenced against future fear. I. It is a delightful passion. It is contrary to sorrow, which is a perturbation …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Ecclesiastes
It is not surprising that the book of Ecclesiastes had a struggle to maintain its place in the canon, and it was probably only its reputed Solomonic authorship and the last two verses of the book that permanently secured its position at the synod of Jamnia in 90 A.D. The Jewish scholars of the first century A.D. were struck by the manner in which it contradicted itself: e.g., "I praised the dead more than the living," iv. 2, "A living dog is better than a dead lion," ix. 4; but they were still more …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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