One of the great questions that Ecclesiastes raises is, “Why is everything hevel?” Why is it that life remains so unsatisfying and unpredictable even when we try to live wisely and pursue righteousness and justice? The answer is that the world is broken. Specifically, it is broken by sin. At the same time, there are times when things do work, but most often, they don’t. But it isn’t because there is no greater purpose nor a sense of right and wrong. It is because everything, right down to our desires, has been cracked by the nature of sinfulness. Knowing and recognizing this is a key feature of the wise person who knows that while this world is broken, ultimately, God will restore it and sort everything out in its proper time.