Ecclesiastes 5:8-9 – Perfect justice can only be found in Christ

One of God’s concerns for His people has always been righteous leadership and social justice. Micah 6:8 clearly states the Lord’s expectation. “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Ecclesiastes 5:8-9 show us how the expectation had been broken. We see injustice and sinful structure in a society that led to much suffering among the people. Here we are shown how the poor will be oppressed in human society without a righteous structure. In verse 8 we read, “If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them.”  

Oppression and injustice can clearly be seen at every strata of society. And somehow the poor always get the brunt and worst end of the bargain. Here the preacher tells us not to be surprised by how empty injustice can be. He spoke this not to excuse injustice, but to point out the truth about living in a world that has fallen. Here we see the possibilities of some forms of covert malpractice at every level of leadership. Some would even adopt tyranny and oppress those below them. Leadership flaws can be detected at every level, people below each will be oppressed and justice is lost between each tier of leadership. 

However, we see a little reprieve in verse 9. It says, “But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.” The best insurance to avoid injustice and malpractices is for a godly leader to reign. But this will not fully happen until Christ, the perfect and just Arbiter comes to the reign. This is the assurance of Isaiah 9:6-7. We are promised that “For us a child is born and to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace    there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom   to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” Praise God! Christ came as the little child born in Bethlehem. And He will come again to usher in the perfect reign. Until that happens, perfect justice will only be a pipe-dream. 

As long as we live, we must trust God completely. We make Matthew 6:33 a key pursuit in life. We seek first the rulership of Christ and His righteousness over every department of our life. We keep trusting that the will of God will be done on earth as in heaven. For to Him belong the kingdom, the power and the glory forever and ever. And we are living in His kingdom now here on earth!