Daily Devotions
Ecclesiastes
"Not executed speedily"
Text: Ecclesiastes 8:11
CARRYING OUT ORDERS
In days of old, the king represents justice. He has the authority and power to mete out punishment for the wicked after he has been tried and found guilty. But the sentence pronounced may not be carried out as planned.
“Because the 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.”
Ecclesiastes 8:11
1. “Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily”
a) The process of the court is as follows:
i) The accused has been charged.
ii) He is given a chance to defend himself.
iii) He has been found guilty as charged.
iv) He is sentenced by the king.
b) The king hands the order down.
i) Court officials have to carry out the king’s order.
ii) But this order is not always carried out speedily.
iii) Problems arise because the king’s order has not been fully carried out.
2. “Therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil”
a) The phrase “the sons of men”
It simply means “men”.
b) The heart of men:
i) Unfortunately, it is set to do evil.
ii) The human heart is capable of great evil (Jeremiah 17:9).
c) Fully set to do evil.
i) The prisoner may bribe his way out.
ii) He may escape from the clutches of the law.
iii) He returns to do even more evil.
3. A sense of regret is expressed
a) It is with regret that such things are noted.
b) This observation, as may be expected, is from Solomon’s own experience.
c) There is an obvious miscarriage of justice here.
d) This is cause for regret indeed!