Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
Anger
0.15UNLIKELY
Disgust
0.09UNLIKELY
Fear
0.12UNLIKELY
Joy
0.6LIKELY
Sadness
0.52LIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.79LIKELY
Confident
0UNLIKELY
Tentative
0UNLIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.92LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.93LIKELY
Extraversion
0.11UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.7LIKELY
Emotional Range
0.72LIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9
Scripture Reading
Introduction
We will consider this passage under 4 main headings
1. Solomon’s Observation (v.16)
Instead of Justice in the World there is Wickedness
First, we see in this passage the observation that Solomon makes as he looks at the world around him.
Ecclesiastes 3:16
16 And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was there.
"And I saw something else under the sun..."
Solomon is continuing his evaluation of life.
He has been exploring for meaning.
He's been attempting to find that which can bring satisfaction.
In the midst of that, he's also been evaluating the fairness of life...
One of the times he did that was when comparing the wise man with the fool.
He says that there is no advantage to being wise, since the same fate awaits both.
But he now turns his mind to another point of consideration of life under the sun...
Judgment and justice in the world.
Wickedness Thriving
"In the place of judgment - wickedness..."
"In the place of justice - wickedness..."
Solomon now turns his attention to justice in the world (or the lack thereof)
If there is one place that we should be confident of good, it is in the justice system.
We should be able to trust those tasked with maintaining law and order
We should be able to trust those who have been asked to hold others accountable to the laws of that nation.
But as Solomon looks around him at what is happening, he notices that there is a great lack of sound judgment, and there is not only a lack of proper justice, but there is wickedness!!
Justice in everyday life is something that every person desires.
If they don’t desire it for the oppressed and the destitute, then they certainly desire it for themselves.
One of the earliest things that you’ll find in children engaging with each other is this concept of justice.
If you buy one child an ice-lolly, then every child should get an ice-lolly.
If one child gets into trouble for doing something, the first thing they’re going to do to you as a parent is remind you of the time that little johnny did the same thing and didn’t get into trouble.
No justice!!
Justice is hard-wired into our beings.
And the reason for that is because God is a just God!!
As image-bearers of God, we know that there ought to be justice.
Attribute of God - Justice!
Consider with me some Scriptures which demonstrate this...
Deuteronomy 32:3–4
3 I will proclaim the name of the LORD.
Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
4 He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
Because God is just, he wanted Israel to appoint those who would uphold justice...
Judges needed to be those who would judge the nation fairly.
There was to be no partiality in the execution of justice.
Deuteronomy 16:18–20
18 Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly.
19 Do not pervert justice or show partiality.
Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.
20 Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Consider when King Jehoshaphat appointed judges in each of the fortified cities of Judah...
2 Chronicles 19:6–7
6 He told them, “Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for man but for the Lord, who is with you whenever you give a verdict.
7 Now let the fear of the Lord be upon you.
Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”
Not only were the judges to judge fairly, but all the Israelites were to live in a manner that was just...
Isaiah 1:16–17
16 wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight!
Stop doing wrong,
17 learn to do right!
Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
When Israel failed to execute justice, and they failed to care for the oppressed...
When Israel merely went through the motions, God despised their sacrifices and feasts and celebrations...
Amos 5:21–24
21 “I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies.
22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them.
23 Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
By the time Christ came into the world, this injustice in society (even Israelite society, despite all the warnings through the prophets) was pervading society.
Matthew 23:23
23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!
You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin.
But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness.
You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
One of the key aspects that is looked forward to in the future, one of the key aspects tied to salvation, is this idea of true justice...
Revelation 19:1–2a
1 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
2 for true and just are his judgments... ”
Here is a theme that runs all the way through Scripture.
Justice!!
As Solomon looked on at the world around him, what he finds is wickedness.
It’s interesting that he was able to perceive this even as king...
He certainly had a place of authority and power.
He certainly had the ability to bring about some measure of reform and change as the great ruler over Israel.
And yet, he become despondent when he considers the great injustice that is taking place.
And friends, we need to recognise that the reason for such injustice in the world is because of the sinful hearts of man.
Consider omitting these Proverbs...
Listen to how the book of Proverbs describes the perversion of justice, as opposed to those who uphold justice...
Proverbs 17:23
23 A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice.
Proverbs 19:28
28 A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.
Proverbs 28:5
5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.
Proverbs 29:7
7 The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9