KBM Nothing New Under The Sun

Studying through this series “Impact 3:16” has been not only fun but exciting for me and I hope you have enjoyed it as well. We do find our study taking us to the powerful and timely book of Ecclesiastes today. Brother Billy R. Smith once said, “For all that I have ever seen or learned, that book seems to me the noblest, the wisest, and the most powerful expression of man’s life upon this earth - and also the highest flower of poetry, eloquence, and truth. I am not given to dogmatic judgments in the matter of literary creation, but if I had to make one I could only say that Ecclesiastes is the greatest single piece of writing I have ever known, and the wisdom expressed in it the most lasting and profound.” Brother Smith was with out a doubt right on his assessment of the this great book we find our study in today. Let’s read our text now.

Ecclesiastes 3:16 ESV

16 Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness.

There seems to me no more timely statement that of Solomon here in this text. The place where judgment is supposed to be just and the place were righteousness is supposed to be righteous we are finding more and more wickedness. Whether in the government or local congregations we are seeing more and more people being ok with wickedness. More and more people have no idea what God says righteousness is and need to heed the word of God in Isaiah 5:20-21.

Isaiah 5:20–21 ESV

20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!

God has clearly made known to men, through his word, that there are only two options for eternity; heaven or hell. Man has also been given the ability to choose their eternal destination. It is our choice as to whether we want to live a sin-filled and sporadically pleasurable life here on earth (Hebrews 11:25) that results in a separation from God in eternal damnation or a godly and temporarily persecuted life (2 Timothy 3:12) that results in an eternity in heaven with him, the Son, and the Spirit. We cannot choose to ignore God and strive for wickedness instead of justice and righteousness if we want to be with God forever as Solomon points out as a closing statement in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 ESV

13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.