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Ecclesiastes: The Enigma of Life Under the Sun | The Question of Justice

February 9, 2025
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4:3

1For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

 

2a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

3a time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7a time to tear, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace.

 

9What gain has the worker from his toil? 10I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 11He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; 13also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.

14I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. 15That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.

16Moreover, 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. 17I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work. 18I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts. 19For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. 20All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. 21Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth? 22So 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?

4 1Again 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. 2And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. 3But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.

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Purpose

To discover and experience Jesus Christ in our midst

To cultivate mutually encouraging relationships

To participate in God’s mission to the world 

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father, keep your household the Church continually in your true religion; that those who lean only on the hope of your heavenly grace may always be defended by your mighty power; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Responsive Prayer — Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

    And all that is within me,

    Bless his holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

    And forget not all his benefits,

Who forgives all your iniquity,

    Who heals all your diseases,

Who redeems your life from the pit,

    Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

Who satisfies you with good

   So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Summary and Connection

In the book of Ecclesiastes, the author Qoheleth (often translated as “Preacher” or “Teacher”) explains how everything under the sun is hevel — “vanity” or “meaningless.” In the first two chapters, he occupies himself with the quest to find meaning in his exploration of life — in work, pleasure, and wisdom. In our passage today, the author turns from his exploration of life to a much broader, more philosophical reflection on the rhythms of life. What is the meaning behind our experience of time in this world, and what can we do when there is all this injustice? We’re in a sermon series called Ecclesiastes: The Enigma of Life Under the Sun, and today we’ll look at the topics of time and justice.

Discussion Questions

1. Looking at the Bible

Observation: Read the passage privately. What does the text say? What is the theme of this passage? Do you notice any keywords?

  • Similar to chapter 1, chapter 3 begins with a poem, this time about time (verses 1-8). Notice the semantic pairings. Is there a particular pair that stood out to you? Why?

2. Looking at Jesus

At Central we believe that all of Scripture points to Jesus. In other words, Jesus is the theological center of the Bible. Every passage not only points to Jesus, but the grand narrative of the Bible also finds its fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus.

  • In the opening verses of chapter 4, the author laments that although there was much injustice and wickedness in their world, they had no one to comfort them. What does the Bible say about God and his attitude toward oppression?

3. Looking at Our Hearts

  • In verses 16-17, the author Qoheleth is discouraged as he sees corruption and evil, even in the places of righteousness; however, he finds solace knowing that in the right time, God will judge everyone and everything with truth and justice. Have you had similar moments when you’ve experienced the peace that comes from knowing that God is in control? 

4. Looking at Our World

  • In verses 18-21, the author compares humans with animals and questions whether they are both meaningless — they have the same breath, they both die, and they “all go to one place.” Are animals eternal beings? Will we see our pets in heaven? Discuss with the group.

Sending

God’s word is a lamp to our feet. Christ’s teachings are a light to our path. May God’s word take root in our lives. May Christ’s love nourish and sustain us. Amen.

  • View Study Guide Notes

    Question 1: After his thesis statement in verse 1, the author spends the next seven verses going into detail about all the events of human life. In poetic fashion, he lists them in pairs of antonyms, similar to the opening of “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens (“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...”). In the cyclical rhythm of life, the author returns to his question that launched his quest in chapter 1, “What gain has the worker from his toil?” (3:9). His answer is again dialectic — a constant tension between what he observes and what he knows. He observes that everything concerning time, history, and life’s repeating cycles is beyond human control — it is entirely up to God and his sovereign will. 

    We are finite, transient beings who often can’t even determine the right time to act in our own insignificant daily activities, let alone determine anything regarding time on a larger, cosmic scale. Meanwhile, time continues to pass, regardless of our observance. Philosopher Georg Hegel famously said, “The only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history.” However, our author Qoheleth knows that God created time, and “he has made everything beautiful in its time” (verse 11). Similar to 2:24-26, the author again encourages readers to enjoy the pleasures of life here and now, knowing that they are gifts from God (verses 12-13). Although there are so many things we do not know nor understand, we nevertheless know that God is good and in control. Ecclesiastes leads us to trust and hope in God’s steadfast lovingkindness in the midst of the uncertainties of life.

    Question 2: All throughout the Bible, God repeatedly emphasizes his contempt toward oppressors and his special protection for the marginalized. The book of Proverbs warns, “Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life” (22:22-23; see also 14:31 and 17:5). God repeatedly gave instructions to his people to take care of widows, orphans, and foreigners (Exodus 22:22-24; Deuteronomy 27:19; Psalm 82:3; Zechariah 7:9-10). He describes himself as “a father to the fatherless, and a defender of widows” (Psalm 68:5), and he promises to fight for their cause (Deuteronomy 10:18; Jeremiah 49:11; Psalm 146:9). 

    In Jesus, we see the personification of God’s heart toward injustice and the oppressed. He welcomed women and children and never hesitated to touch lepers or interact with Samaritans — all socially marginalized demographics. Saying “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17), Jesus spent much time ministering to the tax-collectors, the demon-possessed, and the prostitutes, all of whom were religiously marginalized. He came to fulfill the prophecy “to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18). Like Jesus, we need to be his hands and feet and practice pure and undefiled religion (James 1:27) and also “learn to do good; seek justice; and correct oppression” (Isaiah 1:17). Jesus warns in Matthew 25:41-45:

    Then [the Son of Man] will say … “For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” Then they also will answer, saying, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?” Then he will answer them, saying, “Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.”

    Question 3: In his book “Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do,” Michael Sandel introduces several different theories of justice that have emerged throughout history, like Libertarianism, Utilitarianism, Liberalism, and Virtue Ethics. Sandel lays out each theory’s argument for an ideal society, but he also simultaneously highlights its flaws and possible negative repercussions. All these theories critically lack transcendent, moral absolutes on which to base their justice.

    Tim Keller explains that only biblical justice addresses all the concerns of justice found across the fragmented alternate views. Biblical justice contains both corporate (Daniel 9; Joshua 7) and individual (Ezekiel 18; Deuteronomy 24:16) responsibility. It emphasizes equity (Leviticus 24:22) while still advocating a special concern for the poor and marginalized (Isaiah 1:17; Psalm 41:1). God is the righteous Judge (Isaiah 33:22; 2 Corinthians 5:10), and our hearts can be comforted knowing that Jesus is coming to “judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness” (Psalm 96:13).

    Question 4: This has been and still is a hotly debated question. Martin Luther and C.S. Lewis believed that animals would be in heaven based on Jesus’ restoration of all things from Acts 3:21 and Romans 8:18-22. The “same breath” language we see in Ecclesiastes comes from numerous passages in Genesis, from the Creation to the Flood (Genesis 1:24, 30; 2:7; 6:17; 7:22). However, while human beings and animals both rely on God to sustain their breath and life, Scripture is clear that we humans are created in the image of God and have eternal souls. While the Bible doesn’t clearly say whether animals have eternal destinations, it certainly teaches that God cares for the animals (Jonah 4:11). 

    Jesus makes a wise distinction on this matter. He explains that not one of the sparrows falls to the ground apart from God’s sovereign care, showing God’s gracious protection over all of his creation (Matthew 10:29). Immediately after, however, Jesus tells his disciples, “Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows,” showing that human beings are more valuable than animals (Matthew 10:31). As Jesus taught, God’s care for the animals reminds us not only of our responsibility to be good stewards in exercising dominion over creation (Genesis 1:28) but also of the Father’s special love and care for us as his children who are fearfully and wonderfully made in his image (Psalm 139:14). Of this much, we can be certain.