Highlights:

More exhortations that tell us how to live peacefully: When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it (Eccl. 5:4). Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin (5:6). Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry (5:4). Becasue to every purpose there is time and judgment (5:4).

It often appears that divine justice has been suspended as we observe all the chaotic, lawless conditions of the world. Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. . . . It shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God (Eccl. 8:11,13). Furthermore, the oppression of the defenseless and the prosperity of the wicked is a great puzzle until we read all the Bible. It may seem as if God does not see the sufferings of the innocent or see the hypocrisy of the evildoers: I saw the wicked buried (with honor), who had come and gone from the place of the holy (8:10-11). Even in death itself, the wicked are often praised and buried with all the inappropriate recognition of their popularity. Yet, they failed to deceive either God or a person who has spiritual and biblical knowledge. The psalmist wrote: Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. . . . For evildoers shall be cut off. . . . For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be (Ps. 37:1-10).

While the course of life seems to run smoothly, the sinner begins to imagine that God is indifferent to human conduct and can be ignored and Christians who are ignorant of the Word of God, are staggered by the delay of Divine justice to inflict penalty for the wicked sins of mankind. But the judgment which the Law of God attaches to sin is not an empty threat. We are warned: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Gal. 6:7).

The seemingly successful course of sin will have an end, not one has final success. God Almighty always has the last word (Ecc. 12:14). If the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation (Heb. 2:2-3).

Thought for Today:

God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil (Eccl. 12:14).

Christ Revealed:

As One who expects us to keep our vows made to Him (Eccl. 5:4). So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God (Rom. 14:12).

Word Studies:

5:12 suffer, permit; 5:13 sore evil, great adversity or affliction; 5:14 evil travail, misfortunes; 6:3 an untimely birth, stillbirth or miscarriage; 7:2 lay, take; 7:12 excellency, advantage; 7:26 bands, chains.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Government Official: Rep. Diana DeGette (CO) and Rep. Jeff Denham (CA) • Country: Rwanda (7 million) in central Africa • Major languages: Kinyarwanda and French • Religious freedom • 80% Christian; 10.5% Muslim; 4.5% non-Religious/Other; 4% Traditional ethnic; .2% Baha'i • Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to show you any sins that you are not aware of and to cleanse you of them (Ps. 19:12).

Optional Reading:

Hebrews 6

Memory Verse for the Week:

Psalms 34:4