It’s no secret that our world is full of wickedness. Prisons are full. The court system is swamped with cases of all kinds of illegal activity. The news is filled with fresh stories of corruption in government, religious groups, and social elites. However, this rampant wickedness is nothing new. Ecclesiastes 3:16 says, “Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness.” Solomon observed the world around him and all he saw was evil. This is a puzzling fact considering that Solomon just wrote about the sovereignty of God and His control over everything. Last week we learned that God has a time and purpose for everything on this earth. So then why is there so much wickedness? In Ecclesiastes 3:16-22, Solomon addresses this question with the third fact about God’s sovereign plan for the world.
The third fact is, God will judge everyone on this earth. Governments are corrupt. Judicial systems are corrupt. Society is corrupt. From our perspective, we wonder, “If God has a plan for everything, then why is there so much evil?” Solomon reminds us in verse 17 that God has a plan for evil- “I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work.” The fact is judgment is coming. Everyone has a divinely appointed judgment. Everyone is accountable to God and will stand before Him in judgment. God will deal with sin. He will punish the wicked for their sin. If you reject God and live for this world, then He will not be merciful on judgment day. Everything has a time, even judgment. So, although wickedness prevails right now, God will judge mankind and put an end to sin.
Solomon uses the rest of the chapter to address the implied response, “Okay, prove it! We believe that God is good and that He has a plan for everything, but how do we know that He will deal with sin?” The answer is death. Death is the proof of the coming judgment. Death is a reminder from God that we are accountable to Him. Everything we say, do, or think will be judged after death. Death is the penalty for sin, and everyone dies. No one can escape death.
Man dies just like the animals. The beasts of the earth die and return to the ground. Likewise, man dies and there’s nothing he can do to stop this coming disaster. One day your heart will stop beating and your lungs will stop breathing, and you’ll return to the dust. “All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return” (v. 20). Death is a mystery. Death is frightening. Almost every 5-year-old has asked their parents, “What happens when we die?” Solomon’s answer is clear- when you die, God will judge you.
Solomon isn’t afraid of the hard questions. He doesn’t sugarcoat the question or the answer. His answer to the problem of evil is- God will judge sin, and death is proof of this coming judgment. But we can’t miss the final verse in this chapter. Ecclesiastes 3:22 – “So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?” This is a shocking twist after discussing the inevitable nature of death and judgment. Solomon gives us a glimpse of hope. Our only hope is to live for God.
Although death is coming, life can be enjoyed with God. He created life. He knows what’s best for His creation. If we work and live for God, then our lives will not be in vain. Enjoying God’s plan for life brings true satisfaction. We can’t count on the future because we’re not promised tomorrow. So Solomon points us back to verse 14 and the need to fear God.
Our plans fail, but God’s plan will never fail. He has a time for everything, a purpose for everything, and everyone will face His judgment. He has a purpose for the sin and suffering of this world. He has a plan. So don’t live for yourself or for this world. Recognize that life is a gift of God and use your life to serve the Eternal Creator and Sovereign King.