October 2024 – Semper Reformanda

Ecclesiastes 3:17 | Word Study

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. Ecclesiastes 3:17 (KJV)

‘God shall judge,’ does not seem to refer to eschatological justice here; it rather seems to state that “judgement is in the hand of God: God will judge in God’s own time.” (Seow, 166)

Comments: We continue from v16, where the anomaly that Qoheleth presents us is of wicked men seated in the seat of Justice and Righteousness. Qoheleth continues now to say, even this anomaly has its designated end assigned by God; i.e., God is not inactive or blind to this brand of evil as well. (Provan, 103)

References:

Provan, I. (2001). Ecclesiastes/Song of Songs: The New Application Commentary, Zondervan
Seow, C.L. (1997). Ecclesiastes, Yale University Press

Ecclesiastes 3:16 | Word Study

And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. Ecclesiastes 3:16 (KJV)

Two interpretations following the translation of ‘wickedness’ and ‘iniquity:’ the judgement seat is occupied by the wicked and the righteous seat is occupied by the guilty. (Seow, 166)

Comments: The problem that Qoheleth seems to be referring to seems to be about: seeking justice and righteousness in a godless world. (Henry) The verse engages with the question of ‘injustice’ (Bartholomew, 150; Provan, 103); that in the seat of God, now sits a wicked and guilty men.

References:

Bartholomew, C. (2009). Ecclesiastes, Baker Academic
Henry, M. (1706). Commentary on the Whole Bible, Complete, Eccl. 3:16-22
Provan, I. (2001). Ecclesiastes/Song of Songs: The New Application Commentary, Zondervan
Seow, C.L. (1997). Ecclesiastes, Yale University Press

Ecclesiastes 3:15 | Word Study

That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past. Ecclesiastes 3:15 (KJV)

The misfortune that befalls us in our pursuit of good things in this life are not new. Because the uncertainties of life have been the same – they all follow God’s divine will, His appointed measures and government. In other words, if this worldly life seems to be futile, it will always be. The earth that forsakes us, will always be so. Because they are destined to be so. And for the faithful, this is a thing of comfort – this solidifies the faith that only God is constant.