Ecc 8:11 – God’s totally relevant word to America today – May 18, 2023:
As you study these passages ask the Holy Spirit to grant you understanding (Jn 14:26; Acts 2:1-4; I Cor 3:16-17; 2:15-16; I Jn 2.20, 27) & remember to always let Scripture interpret Scripture – God says exactly what He means & means exactly what He says – Nums 23:19; Ps 19:7-11; Is 55:8; 40:5-8; 66:1-2; Pro 30:5-6; Jn 17:17; II Tim 3:16-17; II Ptr 1:19-21; Rev 22:18- 19; Titus 1:1-2.
The truth of God’s word from the inspired pen of Solomon (2,100 years ago) gives us what may well be, apart from the inherent sin nature of man, the single most significant fact underlying the unparalleled, rampant criminal activity in America today. In failing to mete out just & quick retribution for convicted criminal conduct at any & every level, America’s judicial system has become virtually completely ineffective if not totally useless in its failure to fulfill its God-ordained purpose. America’s judicial system has become complicit with those described in Isaiah 5:20-23 & Habakkuk 1:4:
Is 5:20-23: 20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight! 22 Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and valiant men in mixing strong drink, 23 who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away the rights of the ones who are in the right!
Hab 1:4: 4 Therefore the law is ignored and justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous (Is 59:14-15/jgw); therefore justice comes out perverted.
Roms 13:3-4; Is 59:15; Ex 23:2; I Chron 18:14; Ps 33:5; 37:28; 106:3; Pro 2:7-8; 20:8; 28:5; Mal 2:17
Ecc 8:11: 11 Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil.
Ps 12:8; Judges 21:25; Ps 37:1-2; Roms 1:18, 19-32; 3:10-18; 8:6-8; II Tim 3:1-5; 4:3-4; Is 59:12-21; Micah 7:5-7; II Tim 2:22
Secular quote: The following is a most interesting statement relating to American Public Ed. (2/7/21), heard on Life, Liberty, & Levin, made by a secular scholar, a Senior Fellow of the Hoover Institute @ Stanford University named Dr Thomas Sowell – “If you insulate people from the accountability for wrong, you’re going to get a lot of wrong”. Sounds very much like our text here – Ecc 8:1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ps 12:8: 8 The wicked strut about on every side when vileness is exalted among the sons of men.
Judges 21:25: 25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
Ps 37:1-2: 1 Do not fret because of evildoers, be not envious toward wrongdoers. 2 For they will wither quickly like the grass and fade like the green herb.
Roms 1:18(19-32): 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
Roms 8:6-8: 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
II Tim 3:1-5: 1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; avoid such men as these.
II Tim 4:3-4: 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
Isaiah 59:12-21: 12 For our transgressions are multiplied before You, and our sins testify against us; for our transgressions are with us, and we know our iniquities: 13 Transgressing and denying the LORD, and turning away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving in and uttering from the heart lying words. 14 Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the street, and uprightness cannot enter. 15 Yes, truth is lacking; and he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey(My emphasis). Now the LORD saw, and it was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice. 16 And He saw that there was no man, and was astonished that there was no one to intercede; then His own arm brought salvation to Him, and His righteousness upheld Him. 17 He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; and He put on garments of vengeance for clothing and wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle. 18 According to their deeds, so He will repay, wrath to His adversaries, recompense to His enemies; to the coastlands He will make recompense. 19 So they will fear the name of the LORD from the west and His glory from the rising of the sun, for He will come like a rushing stream which the wind of the LORD drives. 20 “A Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” declares the LORD. 21 “As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the LORD: “My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring’s offspring,” says the LORD, “from now and forever.”
Micah 7:5-7: 5 Do not trust in a neighbor; do not have confidence in a friend. From her who lies in your bosom guard your lips. 6 For son treats father contemptuously, daughter rises up against her mother, daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own household. 7 But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.
II Tim 2:22: 22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.