Enduring Hard Times

Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 8:9-13:
All this I have seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: There is a
time in which one man rules over another to his own hurt.

Then I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of holiness, and they were
forgotten in the city where they had so done. This also is vanity. Because sentence against an
evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do
evil. Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know
that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. But it will not be well with the
wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before
God.

Solomon poses a circumstance that has existed for a long time. Even now rulers and those in
authority are growing ever more wicked, and there seems to be no stopping or slowing in sight.
Realities within a society do not always follow the patterns that we expect to be fair and just. The
wicked are sometimes blessed with comfortable long lives and wealth, and are acclaimed as
benefactors. In contrast, the righteous are treated unjustly, suffering under the powerful wicked
who bear rule over them. The persecutors grow stronger in their hatred while the righteous are
pushed ever lower in the estimation of others.

Solomon is reminding us that occasions arise when a reversal of retribution and reward occurs.
Cruel, persecuting sinners are being acclaimed and rewarded, while those practicing God’s way
are persecuted in the courts by being heavily fined, and their reputations are destroyed for
holding fast in obedience to God’s laws. It is no wonder that Solomon declares these injustices to
be vanity. This situation will produce no good results.

Further Solomon confirms that, because the governing authorities do not exercise the powers of
their office, they tend to encourage the growth, both in their intensity and number, of the
injustices committed by the evildoers. This ugly truth reveals the depravity of the human heart. If
evil deeds were swiftly punished, human nature would be deterred to some degree. However, the
reality is that, because justice is often so painfully slow, people seem to get away with almost
anything, even murder. Human nature eagerly follows the path of least resistance. If lawbreaking
is not punished, it quickly proceeds to greater numbers and intensity.

We are living through such a time. So far God has not intervened to stop these injustices, people
are taking advantage of His forbearance. How should we view this? We must look on His delay
positively—as a merciful gift to us—giving us more time to repent, overcome, grow, and proclaim
His goodness. Who knows how many more He will bring to repentance as He delays?

God clearly states in Exodus 34:6 that He is “slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.” We
must respond by holding fast in our faith to the loving wisdom by which He always proceeds. Paul
writes in Romans 2:4, “God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance”. The disobedient
always abuse God’s patience by making it an excuse for immorality. Scoffers always abound
among those who do not know God (II Peter 3:4).

There is no doubt the wicked want the “good times” to keep on rolling for them. However, as
Solomon wrote, God assures us there will indeed be a final righting of all the injustices present in
this world. Solomon gives a hint of this, declaring that the prosperous and publicly acclaimed
wicked will be buried and then forgotten. Their reputations are swallowed up in the grave along
with their bodies and forgotten. Their names may indeed live on but only in infamy.

Solomon concludes with assurance that the righteous, though they also sin on occasion, will
have their days prolonged, perhaps indicating everlasting life. But for the sinner who does not
fear God, the future is bleak, like a shadow that vanishes when light disappears. Justice will be
done and the wicked are not to be envied. Do not be counted among them brethren!
– Steve Ledford