THE PROBLEM OF EVIL
Introduction
- Solomon often struggles in Ecclesiastes with the failure
of traditional beliefs to explain realities experienced in
human life.
- He reflects on how far the realities of human experience
seem to vary from the ideal.
- This lesson will deal with the problem of evil as
examined by Solomon in Ecclesiastes.
- The problem of evil -- injustice, sufferings of the
innocent, bad things happening to good people -- is the
oldest of all puzzles.
- It's also said to be one of the strongest of all
arguments against belief in the goodness of God and the
goodness of life.
- Our sense of justice leads us to believe that goodness
should be accompanied by comfort, and that evil should be
accompanied by discomfort.
- Righteous men have always wondered why the Father would
allow sinners to enjoy so many blessings.
- Jeremiah 12:1,2 -- Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I
plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy
judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper?
wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?
Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they
grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their
mouth, and far from their reins.
- Habakkuk 1:13 -- Thou art of purer eyes than to behold
evil, and canst not look upon iniquity: wherefore lookest
thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy
tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more
righteous than he?
- Malachi 3:15 -- And now we call the proud happy; yea,
they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt
God are even delivered.
- Psalmist almost lost his faith. Psalm 73:2 -- My feet
were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
- It's important to remember the context of Solomon's
perspective -- everything "under the sun" is vanity. We
must look beyond the sun to Christ to understand and deal
with the challenges that face us in this life.
1. In general, what attitude does Solomon exhibit with
regard to the question of evil in the world?
- Since his perspective on life seems to be limited to that
which is "under the sun," he finds spiritual truths and the
anomalies of life to be difficult to understand.
- Solomon seems to be an individual in conflict. Often when
he encounters something he finds difficult to reconcile, he
in effect throws up his hands in frustration. He often
expresses the view that it's better to enjoy the good
things of life rather than try to understand its
complexities.
- In the same way, we must look beyond the sun to Christ to
understand and deal with situations and occurrences that
may be unjust from an earthly perspective. If we fail to do
so, our lives will be marked by the same sense of
frustration and aimlessness.
2. How does Solomon seem perplexed by the problem of evil
in Ecclesiastes 8:12-14? How does his attitude compare with
those we find today concerning evil in the world?
- 8:12-14 -- 12. 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: 13.
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. 14. There is a vanity which is done upon
the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth
according to the work of the wicked; again there be wicked
men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the
righteous: I said that this is also vanity.
- On one hand, he says in verse 12 that it will be well
with them that fear God. He knows the general rule that
those who fear God will fare well and that the opposite is
true of the wicked.
- However, Solomon also knows of cases that do not conform
to the general rule, and therefore he calls it all vanity.
- He was distressed by the inequality of the human lot, and
by the apparent absence of a just arrangement of human
affairs.
- If God is the Father and King of humanity, how is it that
the affairs of the world are not administered more fairly.
Why aren't the good recompensed and the wicked swiftly and
effectively punished?
- The situation Solomon describes:
- The just suffer the afflictions that seem appropriate to
the wicked.
- The wicked reap the prosperity and good fortune that
would be expected to go to the righteous.
- Other similar passages in Ecclesiastes:
- 3:16 -- And moreover I saw under the sun the place of
judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of
righteousness, that iniquity was there.
- 4:1 -- So I returned, and considered all the oppressions
that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such
as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the
side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no
comforter.
3. What is Solomon's answer in Ecclesiastes 8:15 to the
perplexity of evil in the world?
- 8:15 -- Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no
better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and
to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the
days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
- Solomon essentially says the same thing in other
passages.
- Ecclesiastes 2:24 -- There is nothing better for a man,
that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his
soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was
from the hand of God. (Solomon said this after despairing
because he would have to leave all for which he had labored
to someone else.)
- Ecclesiastes 3:22 -- 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? (Solomon expressed this after
questioning whether the spirit of man went upward or the
spirit of the beast went downward to the earth.)
- His sense of inner turmoil seems revealed by a statement
he makes in Ecclesiastes 7:2 -- it is better to go to the
house of mourning than to the house of feasting.
4. Who has caused evil and suffering in the world? Does God
ever have a role in evil?
- Many humble individuals appear unable to give a complete
answer to this problem. Biblical revelation, however, gives
answers and a practical solution.
- Man is the cause of moral evil.
- Since God made man free, man has the choice of doing good
or evil. In many passages, from Genesis to Revelation, the
principle of "choose you" seen in Joshua 24:15 is given to
human beings.
- Deuteronomy 30:15 -- See, I have set before thee this day
life and good, and death and evil.
- When man chooses evil, one can say that God has allowed
it, but one cannot say that God is responsible. God
couldn't have eliminated moral evil without his making man
a machine, a puppet.
- God has used adversity and suffering as a penalty for
disobedience.
- Every work of God was "very good" when Adam and Eve
disobeyed. (Gen 1:31) He then was forced to curse his good
world. So, then came thorns, weeds, toil, pain, diseases,
parasites, drouths, tornadoes, earthquakes, etc.
- Death as a penalty for disobedience was established "even
over them that had not sinned after the likeness of Adam's
transgression." (Genesis 3:17-18)
- The effect of sin is transmitted, but not the guilt.
(Ezekiel 18:20)
- God has allowed suffering and difficulties to occur as a
disciplinary measure.
- There are people who have not violated God's laws who are
not reaping what they have sown. Galatians 6:7 -- Be not
deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth,
that shall he also reap. Nevertheless, some are subjected
to various afflictions.
- Consider the example of Job.
- Job had done nothing to deserve his boils and misfortune.
God had a providential purpose in allowing the ulcers.
- Refused to curse God. Job 2:9-10
- Exercised patience. James 5:11
- God saw in him a spirit of egotism and rebellion. Job
13:2-3; 23:2
- Lack of patience. Job 21:4
- Flashing eyes. Job 15:12
- Disposition to argue with God. Job 13:3
- Humbled by days of affliction, listened to God's rebuke,
repented in "dust and ashes." Job 42:6
- Better man as a result of his disciplinary evil than he
would have been otherwise.
- Paul had done nothing to cause the "thorn in the flesh"
that afflicted him. II Cor 12:7
- Prayed for relief, not knowing that God had allowed the
pain to keep him humble.
- Instead of cursing God for his pain, he was thankful that
God loved him. He came to realize that "when I am weak,
then am I strong. II Cor 12:10
- Hebrews 12:11 -- No chastening for the present seemeth to
be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth
the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are
exercised thereby.
- In the case of Christ, God has allowed "vicarious"
sufering to occur. Jesus "bare the sin of many." Isaiah
53:12 He was made to be "sin on our behalf" as he suffered
vicariously. II Cor 5:20
5. How should we respond when we see evil people prosper
and Christians forced to undergo various trials?
Christians should study and remember basic principles
contained in God's word.
- God is good.
- Acts 14:17 -- Nevertheless he left not himself without
witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven,
and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and
gladness.
- Psalm 40:5 -- Many, O Jehovah my God, are the wonderful
works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to
us-ward: they cannot be set in order unto thee; if I would
declare and speak of them, they are more than can be
numbered.
- Prosperity of the wicked confirms the need for a future
judgment and argues in favor of immortality.
- Job 21:30 -- That the wicked is reserved to the day of
destruction? they shall be brought forth in the day of
wrath.
- Hebrews 9:27 -- And as it is appointed unto men once to
die, but after that the judgment.
- John 5:28-29 -- Marvel not at this: for the hour is
coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear
his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good,
unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done
evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
- Prosperity of the wicked testifies of the heavenly
Father's merciful forbearance in hope of their repentance.
- Their prosperity shows the longsuffering love and
patience of God. Romans 2:4 -- Or despisest thou the riches
of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not
knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to
repentance?
- I Peter 3:9 -- The Lord is not slack concerning his
promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering
to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that
all should come to repentance.
- Prosperity of the wicked tests the faith of the
righteous.
- Job was tempted to turn away from God because of seeming
injustices. That was part of his test. The question
mystified him, but he refused to let it destroy his faith.
- He could see that prosperity is no sign of divine
approval. Job 12:6 -- The tabernacles of the robbers
prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose
hand God bringeth abundance.
- He completely rejected his friends' philosophy that
suffering indicates sin. Job 21:34.
- Psalms 37:1 -- Fret not thyself because of evildoers,
neither be thou envious.
- Joys of the wicked are fleeting. Their only rewards are
being enjoyed now. Matthew 6:2,5,16 -- 2. Therefore when
thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets,
that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you,
They have their reward. 5. And when thou prayest, thou
shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray
standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the
streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto
you, They have their reward. 16. Moreover when ye fast, be
not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they
disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to
fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
- Faith is founded on things substantial. Hebrews 11:1 --
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen. But always there's an element
of trust in faith.
6. In what ways can Christians actually profit in the face
of distressing circumstances involving the contrast between
those who fear God and those who do not fear God?
- We can cultivate patience. James 1:3-4 -- Knowing this,
that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let
patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and
entire, wanting nothing.
- We will develop a quiet confidence and strength as God's
people. Christians don't lean upon circumstances; they lean
upon God, who never changes. Proverbs 3:5-6 -- Trust in the
Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he
shall direct thy paths.
- We can come understand and expect God's deliverance and
acceptance.
- Psalm 9:9 -- The Lord also will be a refuge for the
oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 27:1 -- The
Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The
Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 46:1 -- God is our refuge and strength, a very
present help in trouble.
- Romans 8:18 -- For I reckon that the sufferings of this
present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory
which shall be revealed in us.
Conclusion:
- All kinds of injustices and gross wickedness prevail
everywhere. None of this can be intelligently charged as
God's fault.
- Things that cause startling miscarriages of justice
throughout the world -- man's freedom of the will, his
decision to serve Satan rather than God, the fact of God's
displeasure with man's rebellious condition, the
impartiality of natural disasters and the capricious
results of chance happening to all men alike.
- But for the Christian, we know that God will vindicate
and save his children. Our salvation is nearer than when we
first believed.
- Many things can happen to test our faith, our endurance.
But we have the comfort of knowing that God is on our side
-- always.
- When problems of evil appear completely unsolvable, when
we're beset with problems, happy is the Christian who loves
the Lord and keeps on trusting, even when he cannot
understand.
-Romans 8:31-34 -- What shall we then say to these things?
If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not
his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he
not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall any
thing to the charge of God's elect? Is God that justifieth.
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea
rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand
of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
THE PROBLEM OF EVIL
Ecclesiastes
1. In general, what attitude does Solomon exhibit with
regard to the question of evil in the world?
2. How does Solomon seem perplexed by the problem of evil
in Ecclesiastes 8:12-14? How does his attitude compare with
those we find today concerning evil in the world?
3. What is Solomon's answer in Ecclesiastes 8:15 to the
perplexity of evil in the world?
4. Who has caused evil and suffering in the world? Does God
ever have a role in evil?
5. How should we respond when we see evil people prosper
and Christians forced to undergo various trials?
6. In what ways can Christians actually profit in the face
of distressing circumstances involving the contrast between
those who fear God and those who do not fear God?