There Is a Judgment for Mankind (Ecclesiastes 3:16–22)

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While Solomon observes the brokenness of earthly justice and man's mortality, he points to a coming judgment - yet for us who live under grace, Christ has already satisfied the courtroom's demands, freeing us to work not to earn but because judgment is already settled.

Things Are Not as They Should Be — But God Will Judge (Ecclesiastes 3:16–17)

Injustice Is Real

The place of judgment is filled with wickedness.
The place of righteousness is occupied by iniquity.
Even the court and temple are corrupted.

Judgment Is Assured

Solomon tells himself: God shall judge the righteous and the wicked.
Judgment is not denied—only delayed.
Scripture agrees:
Deuteronomy 16:18–20 — Judges commanded to judge justly
Psalm 94:2 — The Judge is called to rise
Isaiah 59:14–15 — Justice stands far off, but the Lord sees
Matthew 23:28 — Hypocrisy exposed
Luke 18:7–8 — God will avenge His elect

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Man and Beast Both Die — But Judgment Belongs to Man (Ecclesiastes 3:18–21)

Man’s Needed Realization (Ecclesiastes 3:18)

Solomon wants man to see that he is, in physical terms, no different from the beast.
This is not about behavior but about bodily origin and end.
“Beast” is the standard term for animals in KJV-era language.
Supporting Scriptures:
Genesis 1:24–25 — Beasts of the earth
Genesis 2:7, 2:19 — Both man and animal formed from the dust
Ecclesiastes 3:20 — All return to the dust

The Shared Fate of Mortality (Ecclesiastes 3:19–20)

Man and beast share the same breath and the same death.
There is no visible superiority in the grave.
Solomon makes no theological claims here about the afterlife—only physical observation.
Psalm 49:12, 20 — Man without understanding is like the beasts that perish

The Wise Man Considers the Spirit (Ecclesiastes 3:21)

Solomon’s question is rhetorical, not skeptical.
The answer is given in Ecclesiastes 12:7: the spirit of man returns to God.
The beast expires. The man answers.
Key supporting verses:
Job 32:8 — There is a spirit in man
Hebrews 9:27 — After death, the judgment
Genesis 1:26–27 — Man alone bears God’s image
Genesis 1:20, 24 — Animals are “living creatures,” not image-bearers

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Wisdom for Now: Rejoice in Your Work with Judgment in Mind (Ecclesiastes 3:22)

Man should rejoice in his own work. That is his portion.
He is not called to carry another man’s burden or to solve the world.
The question “who shall bring him to see…?” is rhetorical—but perhaps Solomon himself is the one bringing us to see.
The wise man finds his portion, does it, and enjoys it.

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A Word About Grace

The Gospel Contrast

Solomon speaks truthfully from within the covenant of law.
The law judges by works. Obedience brings life; disobedience brings death.
Supporting Scriptures:
Leviticus 18:5 — Live by keeping God’s laws
Deuteronomy 30:15–19 — Life and death set before you
Ezekiel 18:5–9 — The just man shall live
Romans 2:6 — God renders to each according to deeds
Galatians 3:10–12 — The law is not of faith

But Now—We Live Under Grace

Today, judgment is not based on our works but on Christ’s finished work.
We do not stand in our own righteousness, but in His.
Supporting Scriptures:
Romans 4:5 — Faith counted for righteousness
Romans 8:1 — No condemnation in Christ
2 Corinthians 5:21 — Christ made sin for us
Ephesians 2:8–9 — Saved by grace, not works
Titus 3:5 — Saved by mercy, not righteousness

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