A DIFFERENT “3:16”

A DIFFERENT “3:16”

Eccl 3:16-18

16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.

17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

           It must first be remembered that the writer of Ecclesiastes is showing us a view through unredeemed eyes. He sees things as they are but does not apply the remedy of redemption until the very last when he says…“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Eccl 12:13-14)

           In this very different “3:16” Solomon observes that judgment is not always just and that righteousness is corrupted by wickedness. Knowledge of the law without the morality from which the law springs is tyranny. Debauchery, he observed, had polluted righteousness. It added a heavy weight to the vanity of life.

           Solomon does not, however, leave us in despair for immediately he says that there is coming a time when God will displace the unrighteous judge and will reveal the wickedness of those who present themselves as righteous. He will judge righteous judgment and will not applaud evil for having done evil well. Our laws preserve whales while killing children! When God sits upon the judgment seat man will then be able to see how beastly he has become.

Even so come, Lord Jesus, and judge righteous judgment. Rule in my heart today. AMEN