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A sinner may commit a hundred crimes and yet live a long life. Still, I know with certainty that it will go well for those who fear God, because they fear him.
But it will not go well for the wicked... Their lives are like shadows, because they don’t fear God. (Eccl 8:12-13 GW) [context– Eccl 8:9-13]
The enigmas of life
Many of us like a good mystery. We are intrigued by what’s unknown or yet to be revealed. Whether fiction or nonfiction, mysteries engage our curiosity, hold our interest, and require us to think.
But some mysteries in life are enigmas to us—puzzling dilemmas that mystify and frustrate us, and occurrences and situations beyond our grasp or that defy reason and understanding. Such things prompt hard questions.
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Why do some people seem to get away with wrongdoing over and over?
The list could go on for questions without easy or satisfying answers.
These types of “why” questions generally lead to two different outcomes or reactions—whining or worship.
By whining, I mean a sense of frustration that can boil into volcanic anger and rage or spiral into a deep, dark depression.
Worship, on the other hand, lifts us up to focus on the One who knows the answers to all our “why” questions, even though He may not give us the answers we want or when we want them.
God has not complicated our lives or the world around us.
We only have ourselves to blame.
The complex layers of mysteries in this life under the sun is the result of billions of people going their own way for thousands of years, even at the expense of others and themselves.
Insights
Solomon was the king of Israel, a nation that was to be governed by the Covenant Law given through Moses. Within the Law of the Covenant, we find what’s called the Law of Retribution where we get the phrases, an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, and other similar laws.
These laws were designed to prevent revenge and provide fair but limited justice.
The Covenant between God and the people of Israel was a binding relationship based on the people of Israel accepting these laws and their impact on their relationships with each other.
But Israel was not faithful to this covenant relationship, as the biblical history of Israel reveals. They were unfaithful to God even though He was faithful to them.
Justice, as prescribed in the Mosaic Law, was often neglected and violated. This unfaithfulness had a ripple effect upon them as a nation and in their relationships with one another.
Although Solomon knew of Israel’s unfaithful history, he also knew the promises God made to Israel and God’s faithfulness. He also knew of the great promise made to his father King David, which we know as a Messianic promise (2 Sam 7:16).
This is the background and frame of reference we need to keep in mind as we read these few verses in Chapter 8 filled with enigmas.
Verse 9 is a bridge or transition from the previous verses. Solomon understood the consequences of a person in authority using their power to abuse or oppress others. Not only the ultimate justice God would bring upon them but also the effects on those who abuse their authority.
As the popular saying goes, “power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” When anyone has authority over others—this can include employers, church leaders, and parents—if the authority is unchecked, it will corrupt the behavior and character of the person who holds such power.
A key to understanding Solomon’s perspective is the fear of God.
We need to be clear how different the fear of the Lord is from the state of fear itself. Solomon’s father, King David, gives some insight into what the fear of the Lord looks like—
'Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.' (Psalms 34:11,13-14 NKJV)
This is similar to what Solomon penned in Proverbs through the voice of Godly Wisdom—
'To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. ' (Proverbs 8:13 NIV)
Understanding the purpose and value of fearing the Lord helps us better understand Solomon’s observations and conclusions.
Yes, there are people who have a veneer of spirituality but are flawed in character and known for wickedness, and though known for their wickedness they are lauded at their funerals as if they were good.
And yes, even when someone seems to get away with evil “a hundred times,” it isn’t overlooked by the Lord. And it won’t benefit them because “their lives are like shadows.”
This is the consequence when a person who commits a crime isn’t held accountable.
Plenty of examples exist of people avoiding prison because of legal mistakes and technicalities, or partiality on the part of judges and juries.
But Solomon brings us back to a simple conclusion and outlook on life—fearing the Lord is still a beneficial and wise way of life.
Existential Reflections
When we have a genuine fear of God, it motivates us to live in a way that benefits us and others for the long run. We understand that every person will one day be held accountable for their life—both good and bad.
With this assurance in our heart, our mind is able and free to accept that some dark and mysterious situations in life will continue to be unsolved mysteries.
When we see wrongs that aren’t made right we can choose to be frustrated and filled with strife because of them or choose to entrust such things to the Lord.
If the Lord makes it clear you are responsible to right a wrong, then do so. But if He doesn’t, don’t go chasing causes for your own sense of rightness.
In our ministry to abandoned and abused children and young women, we did what we could for those God entrusted to us. But what we able to do in our ministry was small in comparison to the need throughout the world.
At times, others would suggest we should do more or pursue other causes. But we understood our responsibility was to the Lord and what He gave us to do, not what others expected of us.
Because I fear the Lord, I’m grieved by evil and wickedness when I hear of it or see it. But so much of it is beyond my capability or understanding, so I entrust such things to the Lord.
Some situations in life and the world at large are still enigmas to me. I can neither accept nor explain them. These dark mysteries of life under the sun are just that—puzzling, dark enigmas.
I look forward to the day when the Lord shines His righteous light on these enigmas and resolves them.
As the apostle Paul said—
'For now we see through a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. ' 1 Corinthians 13:12 (1 Corinthians 13:12 NMV)
Are you living a life in the shadows or in the light, in the fear of God or in ignorance?
This is an excerpt from my newest book available on Amazon! Glimmers of Light in the Darkness of Life
The Scripture text for this devotional study can be found by clicking the blue button link– “Ecclesiastes Chap 8” [I’ve used God’s Word Translation (GW) for ease of reading but the button link will take you to the text in a parallel version with the NKJV text.]
Also, for further commentary, I recommend Enduring Word by Ptr David Guzik.