Please explain: “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” (Ecclesiastes 8:11).
Biblical cross-references that shed light on the meaning of Ecclesiastes 8:11 include: “But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said” (Exodus 8:15). Here, between plagues the Egyptian Pharaoh reversed himself on his avowed willingness to do the bidding of God to avoid further plagues. Typically, evil persons only submit their wills to God, and then unwillingly, for as long as there remains the appearance of imminent personal peril for their wickedness. Job decried the wicked who live riotously and spurn God in the absence of immediate punishment for their waywardness.
“They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?” (Job 21:11-15).
Often, God has historically punished evil swiftly, and yet any evil not addressed immediately will nevertheless be addressed by God in due time, at least before his Judgment Seat. The prophet Isaiah (Chapter 5) recorded God’s acknowledgement of his people’s impudent sinfulness, as well as God’s promise to visit them with punishment. Mankind frequently scoffs in the face of God who sometimes withholds immediate retribution for sin, but judgment and corresponding punishment is certain (2 Peter 3:3-10). The forbearance of God wherein he does not visit sinners with immediate punishment is meant by God for mankind to have sufficient opportunity to note sins and repent of them. Yet, this very forbearance is abused by most sinners. “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:4). Our benevolent God provides opportunity by delaying divine punishment of sin for sinners to repent, but often they do not repent. “And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not” (Revelation 2:21).
Despite the seeming ability for sinners to ‘get away with’ their sinful antics, so offending God as well as their fellows who themselves oppose wickedness by their pursuit of righteousness, eventually justice will repay the wicked with punishment. Thereby, God will be compensated, poorly at best, and righteous souls will be confirmed in their right-doing. The God-fearing children of the Heavenly Father may be tempted by the prolonged lack of punishment forthcoming to the openly wicked, but God’s disposition of unrepented sinners, if not sooner surely later in the final judgment, will appease the children of God who persevere.
The best explanation of Ecclesiastes 8:11 is probably the digest of the two verses immediately following that citation.
“Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: But 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.”
Regarding timeliness of divine punishment toward sinful men, time itself is irrelevant to our Eternal God. “For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night” (Psalm 90:4). “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Peter 3:8). The passage in which the latter citation appears specifically warns against spiritual apathy resulting from a delay of punishment. The following verses from this same context affirm judgment and urge prior preparation, as opposed to apathy and a lack of preparedness.
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness” (2 Peter 3:9-11).
