Facing God in Judgment

Continuing with our study of Ecclesiastes:

Eccl. 3:14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

As noted at the close of chapter two, Solomon’s own words testify to his understanding that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. I was listening to a sermon by Adrian Rogers the other night, and he defined fear of the Lord as “love on its knees”; I think that is the best definition I’ve heard.

I liked what Ray Stedman had to say about this verse (www.raystedman.org) as it applies to us: “Most of the struggle of life comes from us wanting to play God ourselves, wanting to be in charge of what happens to us. That is true even of Christians. When God refuses to go along we sulk and pout and get angry with him. We throw away our faith and say, "What's the use? I tried it but it doesn't work." What a foolish statement! God will not surrender his prerogatives. "Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it -- God has made it so in order that men should fear before him."

Eccl. 3:15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

This verse is basically a repeat of 1:9: “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.”

The interesting added observation in this verse is that all that is past has a purpose in God’s plan. I think in context that the reference is to the natural flow of things as set into motion through creation. I liked the application to us as stated in the NIV commentary: “We may discard the lessons of history, but God confronts us with them again and again.” He gives us every opportunity to learn.

Eccl. 3:16-17 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

“Under the sun” is a reference to life on planet earth. After reading through several translations, I think Solomon has concluded that where man is in charge of determining justice, you will find corruption and injustice. He takes solace in the thought that God will judge both the righteous and the wicked.

We need to realize that it was man that bought sin into the world. Because God has chosen to give man freedom of choice, the continued actions of sinful man often result in situations that we would call “unfair.” The masses always like to blame God for “bad” things, without considering man’s responsibility. We want to hold God accountable for His actions toward us while accepting no accountability to Him for our own actions. It’s our response to God and His provision for us in this fallen world that will determine God’s judgment regarding our eternal being. If we respond in faith and obedience to His provision for us through His Son Jesus Christ, we will be clothed in righteousness to live with Him for eternity. If we choose to indulge the flesh and reject God as Lord, we will be condemned to eternity apart from Him.

John 3:16-18 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Eccl. 3:18-22 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

I think it is important to remember the context of this section to the previous section of verses. Solomon is expressing his thoughts that God is testing these wicked and unjust men; observation should make them recognize that man without God, the wicked and unjust, is no better off than the animals. Both man and beast return to the dust of the ground in death. Without faith in God, man has no assurance of life after death. He can hope for nothing better than to enjoy the pleasures of this life for a season.

Some commentators regard the words in verse 21, “Who knoweth the spirit of man...,” as a statement, not a question. In a verse from chapter 12 Solomon clarifies his understanding that there is a difference in the fate of the “spirit” of the beast and the “spirit” of man. In reference to the death of a man he states:

Eccl. 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

In other words, the spirit of man is going to face judgment in the presence of Almighty God.

The beautiful truth for the Christian is that Jesus has already been judged in our place; He suffered the judgment of our sin. The only judgment the Christian will face is one of determination of eternal rewards.

1Corinthians 3:11-15 “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

The wicked and unjust will, however, face God alone in judgment based on his works in this life.

Revelation 20:12 “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”