Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be
(Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:3; 7:15; 8:14-16; 10:5-6)
“If we’re blindsided by injustice, we’re going to be blindfolded to hope.” (John Onwuchekwa)
Not the way it’s supposed to be.
Not the way it will always be.
A way to live in the meantime.
Main Idea: We live with a defiant hope by remembering the cross and awaiting the judgment.
I. Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be
“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.” (Ecclesiastes 3:16)
“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. (Matthew 23:2-3)
“You’re shinin’ your light, and shine it you should, / But you’re so heavenly minded you’re no earthly good” ~ Johnny Cash
”Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors, there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun..” (Ecclesiastes 4:1-3)
“There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. (Ecclesiastes 8:14)
“There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: 6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.” (Ecclesiastes 10:5–7)
II. Not the Way Things Will Always Be
“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.” Ecclesiastes 3:17.
“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)
“Our sins were the judicial ground of the sufferings of Christ, so that they were a satisfaction of justice; and his righteousness is the judicial ground of our acceptance with God, so that our pardon is an act of justice.” (Charles Hodge)
“And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15)
III. A Way Forward in the Meantime
Observe (Ecclesiastes 3:16, 4:1)
Reflect (Ecclesiastes 3:17, 4:2)
Lament (Ecclesiastes 3:19-22, 4:2-3)
