Ecclesiastes 8:11

“If you don’t punish this stuff, it’s going to continue,” commented Amanda Silverstein, a Columbia University student when interviewed yesterday by a national news outlet.

Amanda, of course, was referring to the anti-Israel protests that marked the beginning of the school year at Columbia University. Jewish students felt unsafe by the taunts, insults, and outright hate speech hurled by the protestors. In a few cases, there were threats of physical violence.

While some may interpret this post as political, it’s not intended to be. It is merely a commentary on Amanda’s observation. Her comment reminded me of this passage in Ecclesiastes 8:11

“Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil.”

Some commentators believe the verse is talking about God’s justice. Because He doesn’t immediately punish evil doers, the perpetrators feel they can continue in their wicked ways, and even increase their wickedness. It is true that God allows the wicked and righteous to coexist. Evil seems to thrive. To have the upper hand. And to go unpunished. It’s one of the perplexities of life.

Of course, such people are deceived. The Bible teaches that God is not mocked. We will reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7-8). One day God will judge the deeds of all people, both the good and evil, and they will receive their just due (2 Cor. 5:10). It is imperative that the righteous trust God to operate “in His time.”

Others suggest this verse refers to inept and weak rulers, who fail to enforce laws and allow societal injustice to continue unpunished. Those who are allowed to persist in their rebellious ways without being held accountable and punished, will be emboldened to intensify their evil actions. Such is the case with those who riot, create havoc, destroy property, and hurt innocent individuals.

While the Bible is not a book that is given to create an equitable society and create “a more perfect union,” its principles, when believed and practiced, will provide peace, security and safety in our communities, in our nation, and around the world.

Just following the moral code the 10 commandments would eliminate immorality, murder, broken homes, and burglary. They would elevate and restore honor, dignity and fairness in our culture. And the attitudes and actions of people would reflect righteousness, goodness, and godliness.

Of course, such a utopian society is not possible due to Satan’s influence and the evil that lurks in the hearts of wicked people determined to pursue their nefarious and shameful desires. It is, therefore, incumbent upon those in authority to punish such evil doers. The Bible says this is one of the goals of government as ordained by God (Rom. 13:1-7). Sadly, we have too many leaders at both national and local levels who are paralyzed from taking action. So, evil continues and abounds.

For the Christian, it’s not ours to seek individual vengeance or retribution (Rom. 12:17-21). Instead, we pursue peace. Return good for evil. And wait for the Lord’s judgment of evil-doers.

The Lord’s delay in the punishment of wickedness, is not His denial of its pervasiveness. While we may find the failure to punish evil vexing, remember Solomon’s conclusion regarding “life under the sun.”

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.

For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman