Ecclesiastes 8: Justice
Three themes seem to appear in this passages.
First, the authority of the king is mentioned. Obey the king's command (v2) because he does whatever he pleases (3). In the end, the wise heart will know the time and plan (4). There are powers in the world, ordained by God, which are above the wisdom or authority of man. Some issues are bigger than the individual, and we must all submit to the sovereignty of God in these situations. As such, the wise man will know the right time to act and how to act at that time. Solomon suggests that no harm will come to the man who trusts in God and wisely chooses his time to discuss matters concerning the king.
Not all kings are bad, but they are all imperfect. Eventually, authority will corrupt. Yet, there is a time to act against corruption, and there is a time to trust God and silently do what is right before God in the face of authority and corruption.
But, what is a Christian to do when the king or authority forces unfaithful acts? Where is the protection then?
Secondly, Solomon addresses injustice. When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong (11). Punishment is important, not only for payment and balance in the system, but also for learning in society. When the punishment does not fit the crime, then more people will test the system.
But where does mercy fit into this? Is mercy not a good a teacher as punishment? Can punishment be merciful, and mercy detrimental?
There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: righteous men who get what the wicked deserve, and wicked men who get what the righteous deserve (14).
Is Solomon specifically speaking of death, an early demise in life? Solomon is convinced that the righteous will come out ahead in life, and that the evil will not benefit from their doings (13). Yet he notices that evil brings temporary benefit while the righteous suffer.
Makes me wonder what Solomon means by righteousness and evil. He watched the evil worship and sacrifice in the Temple (10) and then meet their demise. He recognizes that evil will eventually capture those that it ensnares (8). However, I think that this life does not reveal all of the spiritual ends that our decisions lead us to So, we are left with only an understanding of part of the story. Solomon finds this limited knowledge frustrating. I do as well.
Finally, we are reminded of the paradox of wisdom again. The more the wise man sees, the less he understands about events under the sun. In the end, wisdom can relieve and enlighten the soul (1), and yet the wise must acknowledge that the meaning behind the wisdom is still out of reach (17). Anyone who does not acknowledge this is not very wise.
First, the authority of the king is mentioned. Obey the king's command (v2) because he does whatever he pleases (3). In the end, the wise heart will know the time and plan (4). There are powers in the world, ordained by God, which are above the wisdom or authority of man. Some issues are bigger than the individual, and we must all submit to the sovereignty of God in these situations. As such, the wise man will know the right time to act and how to act at that time. Solomon suggests that no harm will come to the man who trusts in God and wisely chooses his time to discuss matters concerning the king.
Not all kings are bad, but they are all imperfect. Eventually, authority will corrupt. Yet, there is a time to act against corruption, and there is a time to trust God and silently do what is right before God in the face of authority and corruption.
But, what is a Christian to do when the king or authority forces unfaithful acts? Where is the protection then?
Secondly, Solomon addresses injustice. When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong (11). Punishment is important, not only for payment and balance in the system, but also for learning in society. When the punishment does not fit the crime, then more people will test the system.
But where does mercy fit into this? Is mercy not a good a teacher as punishment? Can punishment be merciful, and mercy detrimental?
There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: righteous men who get what the wicked deserve, and wicked men who get what the righteous deserve (14).
Is Solomon specifically speaking of death, an early demise in life? Solomon is convinced that the righteous will come out ahead in life, and that the evil will not benefit from their doings (13). Yet he notices that evil brings temporary benefit while the righteous suffer.
Makes me wonder what Solomon means by righteousness and evil. He watched the evil worship and sacrifice in the Temple (10) and then meet their demise. He recognizes that evil will eventually capture those that it ensnares (8). However, I think that this life does not reveal all of the spiritual ends that our decisions lead us to So, we are left with only an understanding of part of the story. Solomon finds this limited knowledge frustrating. I do as well.
Finally, we are reminded of the paradox of wisdom again. The more the wise man sees, the less he understands about events under the sun. In the end, wisdom can relieve and enlighten the soul (1), and yet the wise must acknowledge that the meaning behind the wisdom is still out of reach (17). Anyone who does not acknowledge this is not very wise.
Labels: Ecclesiastes, God's wisdom, justice
posted by Randy Rogers at
8:44 AM
1 Comments:
"Is Solomon specifically speaking of death, an early demise in life? Solomon is convinced that the righteous will come out ahead in life, and that the evil will not benefit from their doings (13). Yet he notices that evil brings temporary benefit while the righteous suffer."
You are commenting on a passage here that seems to me to be one of Solomon's few and vague references to that 'eternal' reward that he seems to avoid for the most part. At least that is how I like to think of it. Especially now while some stuff is swirling around. Pray that I have wisdom and patience to deal equitably and honestly and yet be protected from the effects and manipulations of other's deceipt, greed, ignorance...
Pray that I be generous to my God, because certainly He has been kind to me.
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