Ecclesiastes 3:16-22 Finding Justice and Contentment In A World of Injustice and Mystery
Notes
Transcript
Finding Justice and Contentment in a World of Injustice and Mystery
Finding Justice and Contentment in a World of Injustice and Mystery
Bible Passage: Ecclesiastes 3:16-22
Bible Passage: Ecclesiastes 3:16-22
Ecclesiastes 3:16–22 (KJV 1900)
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.
19. For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
20. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
21. Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
22. Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
Introduction
Introduction
Have you ever watched major a court case play out on television, whether it be in real life or on a television show?
There are oftentimes that, whether factual or fictional court cases, we see justice served in the best way humanly possible, but just as often, if not more so, we see that justice is not served to one side or other. The truth about justice is that justice is just to all involved if it is true justice.
In a criminal case, the victim receives justice through the perpetrator of the crime (defendant) being justly punished for the crime. You have heard the phrase the punishment should befit the crime, and the defendant/perpetrator becomes justified through repaying their debt to society according to the sentencing of the judge. I’ll pray that Bro. Doug doesn’t reprove me too harshly on societal law after this message, but bear with me, I am not here to teach Societal Law 101.
However, I do believe that we know that there are injustices that happen on a regular basis. It is a reality, and the sad reality is that we just have to get used to it and when and where you can, strive to seek and uphold justice in our lives.
The encouragement that this passage and this message brings is to focus not upon the injustice brought against us in our lives, but to focus upon God’s judgement as ultimately righteous and will prevail over time.
Application: This passage encourages Christians to trust in God's perfect timing and righteous judgment amid the injustices they face in life. It reminds them that their struggles are seen by God, who will enact justice in His time, providing hope and strength to endure current troubles.
Teaching: The sermon teaches that while we may witness wrongful acts and feel discouraged, we can find solace in the assurance that God's justice will ultimately be realized. Believers are encouraged to maintain faith and integrity, knowing that God observes the good and evil actions of humanity.
How this passage could point to Christ: In the larger context of Scripture, Christ embodies God's ultimate judgment and justice. His life, death, and resurrection reveal how God deals with sin and injustice, offering grace to the unjust while also promising justice for all. Christ invites us to approach God with our injustices, promising ultimate restoration.
Big Idea: Even amid a world rife with injustice, we can trust in God's righteous judgment and find hope, knowing that He has appointed a time for everything, including the resolution of injustice through Christ.
Recommended Study: As you prepare your sermon on Ecclesiastes 3:16-22 using your Logos library, consider delving into the historical and cultural context of the text to better understand the emphasis on justice. Explore commentaries that discuss the structure of this passage and its connection to the broader themes of Qoheleth. Additionally, studying the Hebrew terms for 'justice' and 'judgment' might provide deeper insights into how these concepts are woven throughout Scripture.
1. Perceiving Present Injustice
1. Perceiving Present Injustice
And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. 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.
He is saying that all men are wicked. You can't trust anybody. This is a cynical, although I must confess a rather accurate, viewpoint of the human race.
WICK´EDNESS, n. Departure from the rules of the divine law; evil disposition or practices; immorality; crime; sin; sinfulness; corrupt manners. Wickedness generally signifies evil practices.
INIQ´UITY, n. [Fr. iniquité; L. iniquitas; in and æquitas, equity.]
1. Injustice; unrighteousness; a deviation from rectitude; as the iniquity of war; the iniquity of the slave trade.
2. Want of rectitude in principle; as a malicious prosecution originating in the iniquity of the author.
3. A particular deviation from rectitude; a sin or crime; wickedness; any act of injustice.
Your iniquities have separated between you and your God.
These terms work together to show a complete moral inversion in human institutions such as courts, governance, legal procedings, etc.
Wickedness and iniquity are not synonymous, though they often appear paired.
Solomon expresses frustration at seeing corruption in political structures all the while causing or bringing spiritual transgression.
TRANSGRESS´, v. t. [Fr. transgresser; L. transgressus, transgredior; trans and gradior, to pass.]
1. To pass over or beyond any limit; to surpass. Dryden.
2. In a moral sense, to overpass any rule prescribed as the limit of duty; to break or violate a law, civil or moral. To transgress a divine law, is sin. Legislators should not transgress laws of their own making.
Wickedness is the outward manifestation of evil conduct in systems designed to uphold justice; iniquity is the spiritual rottenness beneath it.
Imagine a police officer who just issued a speeding ticket to a car whizzing by. Moments later, as he turns around, he sees a fellow officer in his cruiser speeding in the opposite direction. It’s a humorous reminder that we can often be blind to our own faults and that even those in authority can stumble.
I want to encourage you to hold onto the hope of God's appointed time as you encounter injustice.
It's a call to trust in God's timeline and His ultimate justice, mirroring the patience and trust that Christ embodies in His ministry.
Witnessing Oppression:
Solomon observes “the oppressions that are done under the sun” and “the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power.” (Eccles 4:1–3) The weight of this observation becomes so heavy that he praises “the dead which are already dead more than the living,” declaring it better to be unborn than to witness “the evil work that is done under the sun.” (Eccles 4:1–3)
Habakkuk cries out to God: “O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! Even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? For spoiling and violence are before me.” (Hab 1:2–4)
Isaiah laments that “judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off” while “truth faileth,” and those departing from evil become “a prey.” (Isa 59:14–15)
Job catalogs systematic oppression: removal of landmarks, theft of livestock, driving the needy from their way, plucking the fatherless, and taking pledges from the poor while stripping them of clothing and food. (Job 24:1–12)
The Call to Active Response:
Yet Scripture does not permit passive observation. The righteous actively “considereth the cause of the poor,” while “the wicked regardeth not to know it.” (Prov 29:7)
Isaiah commands believers to “seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” (Isa 1:17)
Proverbs urges: “Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” (Prov 31:8–9)
Amos calls believers to “hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate.” (Amos 5:11–15)
The pattern is clear: perceiving injustice demands response, not resignation.
Application
Application
When you face unfairness in relationships at home, perhaps feeling unappreciated by your spouse or children, communicate openly with them. Choose a calm moment to express how certain actions make you feel slighted or unvalued. Use “I” statements, like 'I feel overlooked when I am not consulted about family decisions.' Suggest family meetings to discuss responsibilities and feelings so everyone feels heard. Emphasizing open communication and fairness will reflect God's desire for unity and understanding within families.
2. Pondering Human Ego and Interest
2. Pondering Human Ego and Interest
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. For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
We must remember that this is the viewpoint of man under the sun, living for self–interest.
Living for self, enjoying life for self, is the reason men get involved in some projects which are good.
For example, many get interested in athletics and give themselves to it. Others give themselves to art, others to literature, others to music, and many different things. These things are not wrong, but if they are selfishly; they gratify man's selfish desires rather than glorify God.
Evolution says that man was a beast but that he now has become a man. Egoism or egotism or self–interest says that man is a beast, which causes the individual to despise others.
This philosophy produced the caste system in India and the class system in other parts of the world. It leads to vanity and the feeling of being better than the other man.
It has a pessimistic viewpoint of death: man dies as an animal dies. I heard a man say, “Man dies just like a dog dies. When you're dead, you're dead—and that's all there is to it.” Since he expects to die like an animal dies, he is going to live for himself in this life and get all he can out of it.
This type of teaching is in the contemporary schoolroom. Evolution is a form of it, although it says man was a beast, and this says man is a beast. It is only a difference of time periods. Both agree that you are going to die like an animal, that you have no soul nor spirit; so you might as well live like an animal.
It is interesting to observe animal behavior with this in mind. I’ve watched a family of little kittens before. Believe me, they had no regard for each other. They played together all right, but when food was given to them, they didn't mind pushing one, usually the smallest, out. The owner of the cats had to personally feed that little kitten—his brothers and sisters would have been perfectly willing to let him starve to death. Don't they have any compassion? No. Their egoism is their philosophy of life.
Each one is taking care of himself. That is the viewpoint of the animal world. The reason man is beginning to react like an animal is because he is being taught in our schools that he is an animal.
If we have any hope in life to have a different outlook apart from egoism, egotism, and self-interest we must look to Christ who portrays the perfect picture of selflessness.
3. Pursuing Present Contentment
3. Pursuing Present Contentment
Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
Once again, this is still in the view point of man “under the sun.”
In other words, this life is all we are going to get. Again, this is a modern teaching—call it whatever you wish—that the only thing worthwhile is to identify oneself with his environment and live like an animal lives. We heard this in the media and such over the last ten years or so, YOLO so make it what you want. That is absolute foolishness of man “under the sun.”
A. Mystery
A. Mystery
I love a good mystery. I grew up watching the old Scooby-Doo cartoons, even read a few Hardy Boys books, and on occasion watch a C.S.I type of show just to see how it begins and try to figure out by the end who the “bad guys” are.
Mysteries aren’t bad. I want to ask a question here tonight as we study this passage and I hope someone would be brave enough to answer honestly.
Q: “Will your beloved pet be in heaven someday?”
A: Personally, I would answer with a resounding, “I DON’T KNOW.”
Sometimes, more than we probably realize, its okay to say “I don’t know.”
I know there are preachers out there that will definitively tell you that animals that die will not go to heaven, and I’ll be honest with you, according to the scriptures, maybe that is true, but it is a MYSTERY!
It is not something that God’s word is entirely clear about. There are many things in God’s word that is absolute, clear, cut and dry, no ifs ands or buts about it.
We can apply this same principle to every aspect of life. There are many mysteries that we live out each and everyday.
Application
Application
When you're at home, feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of daily life or personal struggles, take a moment to find a quiet space and read a psalm or a passage from the Gospels.
For instance, Psalm 46:10 says, 'Be still, and know that I am God.' Reflect on what this means in your current situation.
Allow His words to bring you peace and perspective, inviting you to surrender your worries to Him, knowing that He holds your life in His hands.
Mysteries Beyond Human Comprehension:
The nature and complex purposes of God possess such profound and infinite depth that our finite minds will never comprehend them, as reflected in passages like Job 11:7–11 and Isaiah 55:8–9.
No matter how hard we try in our own human strength—even if we were to stay up night and day searching—we couldn’t explain the infinite workings of God. Isaiah declares, “Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.”
Canst thou by searching find out God?
Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do?
Deeper than hell; what canst thou know?
The measure thereof is longer than the earth,
And broader than the sea.
If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together,
Then who can hinder him?
For he knoweth vain men:
He seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
Neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are my ways higher than your ways,
And my thoughts than your thoughts.
Mysteries God Reveals:
Yet Scripture emphasizes that God wants us to know His mysteries, holding nothing back to those who genuinely seek Him.
God has revealed deep things through His Spirit: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit.”
The secret of the Lord belongs to those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.
God’s purpose is revealed in Scripture as a “mystery”—progressively unfolding through history. Daniel described the divine mystery in general terms as the eventual establishment of God’s eternal kingdom; Jesus defined it more specifically as his proclamation of God’s kingdom; and Paul described it more specifically still as the constitution of a new people, from among both Jews and Gentiles, through the atoning death of Christ on the cross.
While the world wrestles with the problem of evil, believers know that God has his providential plans and that one day he will make all things clear—including how God will bring vindication for those who are wronged and judgment to those who do wrong.
1 John 5:20 (KJV 1900)
20. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
B. Contentment
B. Contentment
But God’s word gives us enough understanding to trust that if our pets are not in heaven waiting for us, or they be re-created in the new heaven and earth, given as a reward etc., I’m going to be content therewith that God is going to be righteous and just.
The Nature of Contentment:
Contentment denotes freedom from reliance on others—whether persons or possessions—involving satisfaction of needs and control of desires. It is not passive resignation but positive assurance that God has supplied one’s needs, releasing believers from unnecessary desire.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on thee:
Because he trusteth in thee.
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For 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.
Contentment as Trust in God:
Contentment fundamentally means trusting God regardless of circumstances. Paul writes that God’s grace is sufficient in weakness, and declares himself “well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake.” Isaiah teaches that perfect peace comes to those whose minds remain fixed on God, who trust in the Lord as an everlasting rock.
Contentment with Material Possessions:
Believers should be satisfied with their material possessions, keeping their lives free from the love of money, knowing God will never leave or abandon them. A small amount with righteousness surpasses great wealth gained unjustly, and a simple meal eaten in peace exceeds a feast consumed amid conflict.
Contentment with Identity in Christ:
Believers should embrace contentment with who they are in Christ, chosen before creation to be holy and blameless. Rather than glorying in wisdom, strength, or riches, one should glory in understanding and knowing God, who exercises lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness.
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Conclusion
Conclusion
May we continue to not live in the prospective of man “under the sun” but might we find contentment throughout the injustices around us and continue to seek to understand God and His mysteries.
