Image: Gathering for worship at CRBC (2.19.17)
Note: Devotion taken from sermon on Ecclesiastes 8:12-17.
Ecclesiastes 8:12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times,
and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them
that fear God, which fear before him: 13 But it shall not be well with
the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because
he feareth not before God.
In Ecclesiastes 8:12-17 Solomon offers comfort and
consolation to believers.
He begins by saying there is comfort in considering the
distinction between the destiny or end of those who fear God and the destiny or
end of the wicked (vv. 12-13).
One’s first thought in interpreting v. 12 might be that the
sinner who does evil a hundred times (v. 12a) is identical with one who fears
God (v. 12b).
But rightly to divide this verse we must look at its context.
The previous verses had been speaking about how sinners boldly persist in their
rebellion against God. Sinners mistake God’s patience and longsuffering for
indifference (or even non-existence). Since there is often no immediate
punishment for sin in this temporal life, they think God must not care, and it
emboldens them in their godlessness (see Ecc 8:11). Verse 12 is a continuation
of that thought.
“Though a sinner do evil an hundred times….” This is
hyperbolic language. The point is not that God will punish him on the one
hundred and first occasion of sin! Rather: Though a sinner lack conformity unto
or flagrantly transgresses the law of God a hundred times, scores of times,
thousands of times….
“and his days be prolonged.” This is another reference to the
fact that sometimes wicked men live to be old men and die peacefully in their
sleep never receiving temporal punishment for their sins (cf. Ecc 7:15).
In the light of these most obvious injustices that even the
dullest observer of this sinful world can easily record, Solomon reminds
believers that they are not to be unsettled or disturbed by such things.
Instead, he declares: “yet surely I know that it shall be
well with them that fear God, which fear before him” (v. 12b).
I am struck first by the certainty of Solomon’s
statement. It is not, “I am fairly
confident…”, or “I am almost completely persuaded…”, or “I am pretty sure….” He speaks with confidence:
“yet surely I know….” This is not weak kneed wavering! Bridges: “This is no
bare conjecture or probability…. The firm conviction is wrought in the heart by
the Spirit of God enabling us to rest confidently on the word” (Ecclesiastes, p. 203).
Of what does he have this certainty? That God will act with
goodness (benevolence) toward those who fear him.
A contrast is made in v. 13: “But it shall not be well with
the wicked…..” Do not think that just because wicked men might enjoy worldly
success and temporal blessings in this life that the Lord is indifferent to
their wickedness.
There is coming for all men a day of judgment, a day of
evaluation, which is spoken of in Scripture (cf. Acts 17:31; Rom 14:11; 2 Cor
5:10; 1 Peter 4:4). This is not a day of dread for Christians. Our lives have
been “hid with Christ in God” (Col 3:3). We have been given his righteous
life. But it will be a day of dread for
unbelievers.
Solomon continues, “neither shall he prolong
his days, which are as a shadow.” His temporal existence will not go on
forever. One day he will go the way of all flesh and there will be nothing he
can do to avoid it. This present life is
like a shadow. It is not the ultimate reality but merely portends that which is
to come.
And why is this man placed in the category of
the wicked? Solomon tells us: “because he feareth not before God.” He has no
awe, no reverence for God (cf. Psalm 36:1; Rom 3:17).
These opening two verses teach us a Biblical
truth which the world finds unpleasant and would rather not hear. It is the truth that not everyone goes to
heaven. We are not saved by virtue of existence. It is a rejection of
universalism.
No, it tells us that, in the end, there are
only two categories of men: there are those who fear God and there are the
wicked (those who do not fear God). And there are two different destinies or
ends: there are those with whom it will be well with God and those with whom it
will not be well (cf. John 3:36; Matt 10:32-33).
Solomon is saying: Don’t
be fooled by the mirage of this world’s circumstances. Think of what will be
ultimately important.
In the previous
passage we talked about men exercising discernment (cf. 8:5b). But in this
passage, we are being told that God
himself is discerning. He will not
forget to give good to his saints, even if they lack what seems to be good in
this life. Nor, will he forget to administer justice to the wicked, even if it
seems in this life that he is overlooking it.
Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle
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