DOES ECCLESIASTES 8:5 TEACH THAT THE TRUE BELIEVERS
WOULD BE CORRECTED IN THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE JUDGMENT PROCESS NEAR THE END
OF THE WORLD?
Updated - 10/19/09
We
read in Ecclesiastes 8:5-6:
5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no
evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.
6
¶ Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of
man is great upon him.
The
“wise man” in verse 5 is the true believer. We read in verse 5
concerning the true believer, “a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and
judgment”.
This
verse is changed in the minds of some people to say that “There would
come a time when every true believer would know time and judgment”.
In
other words, some people say that the statement “wise man’s heart discerneth
both time and judgment” is not talking about the true believers throughout
time, but rather is only talking about the true believers near the end of the
world.
The
justification for this declaration is that throughout history the true
believers knew nothing about the time line of history.
It
is assumed that the word “time” in Ecclesiastes 8:5 must refer to the
time line of history, the 13,023 years of the world’s history.
Based
upon that, people say that the word “judgment” refers to the new
understanding of the Judgment plan, namely that the unsaved are annihilated.
However,
we should look at Ecclesiastes 8:5-6 more carefully.
First,
we note that God did not write Ecclesiastes 8:5-6 in a way that refers only to
the true believers at the end of time. Rather, God wrote it using language that
refers to all true believers throughout time.
Ecclesiastes
8:5 is not written only about believers at some future time. Rather, it is
written in a way that refers to all believers throughout time.
Notice
that this verse does not say “the
time will come when a wise man’s heart will discern both time and
judgment”.
Rather,
God says that, “a wise man’s heart discerneth (or knows) both time and
judgment”.
Ecclesiastes
8:5-6 is talking about true believers back 3,000 years ago when this was penned
and believers before that time also. It also talks about all true believers
(the wise) throughout time.
After
all, there have been true believers throughout the history of the world. The
Bible calls them “wise men”. This verse promises that their “heart
discerneth both time and judgment”.
For
example, Ecclesiastes 8:5 promises that the heart of a true believer who lived
2,000 years ago, “discerneth both time and judgment”. It is talking to all true
believers throughout time.
However,
to justify the teaching that Ecclesiastes 8:5 is only talking about the future
and really means that “the time
will come” for it’s fulfillment, people change the verse into the
future tense. They say it should be translated like this:
Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil
thing: and a wise man’s heart will know both time and judgment.
The
word “discerneth” means to “know”. People say that the Hebrew
text should be translated “will know”.
We
must ask the question: Should Ecclesiastes 8:5 be translated as “will know” or
“know”?
The
answer comes by following the rule of 1 Corinthians 2:13 to compare Scripture
with Scripture. We do this by examining how this Hebrew word translated “discerneth”
or “know” is used in other verses with the same spelling.
If
we examine other verses with this same Hebrew word and with the same spelling,
then we can understand if God means “know” or “will know” or if either is
possible.
To
download the Hebrew font used in this study, right click the link below. Select
‘Save Target as’, then use the Control Panel in Windows to install the font.
Let’s
look at Ecclesiastes 8:5 along with the Hebrew text:
Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil
thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.
Mkx bl edy jpsmw tew er rbd edy al hwum rmws
The
spelling of the word “discerneth” is underlined in the Hebrew text.
There
are 108 verses that have this same Hebrew word with the exact same spelling.
It
would take too much space to list all of the verses with this Hebrew word with
the exact same spelling. However, below is a represented listing of verses. The
Hebrew word is underlined along with the English translation.
It
is helpful to remember that while English is written from left to right, Hebrew
is the opposite. Hebrew is written right to left.
erw bwj yedy Myhlak Mtyyhw Mkynye wxqpnw wnmm Mklka Mwyb yk Myhla edy yk
Genesis 3:5
Genesis 3:5
For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes
shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
God
already knows everything. It is not that some day in the future, God “will
know” something. God already knows everything.
Nauh-lk wtmw dxa Mwy Mwqpdw yle twle rqbhw Nauhw Mykr Mydlyh-yk edy ynda wyla rmayw Genesis 33:13
Genesis 33:13
And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are
tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men
should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.
wl xlonw edy-al awhw ggs-rsa wtggs le Nhkh wyle rpkw
Nhkh-la Msal Kkreb Nauh-Nm Mymt lya aybhw Leviticus 5:18
Leviticus 5:18 And he shall bring a ram without blemish out
of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest:
and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his ignorance wherein
he erred and wist it not, and it shall be forgiven him.
rbd trox al Kme Kyhla hwhy hns Myebra hz hzh ldgh rbdmh-ta Ktkl edy Kdy hvem lkb Kkrb Kyhla hwhy yk Deuteronomy 2:7
Deuteronomy 2:7 For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all
the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great
wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God hath been with thee; thou
hast lacked nothing.
awh hwhy Kalm-yk xwnm edy za wtsa-law xwnm-la harhl hwhy Kalm dwe
Poy-alw
Judges 13:21
Judges 13:21
But the angel of the LORD did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife.
Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the LORD.
Mb hhk alw wynb Mhl Myllqm-yk edy-rsa Nweb Mlwe-de wtyb-ta yna jps-yk
wl ytdghw 1 Samuel 3:13
1 Samuel 3:13
For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity
which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he
restrained them not.
Nk edy yba lwas-Mgw hnsml Kl-hyha yknaw larvy-le Klmt htaw yba lwas dy Kaumt al
yk aryt-la wyla rmayw 1 Samuel 23:17
1 Samuel 23:17 And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand
of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and
I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.
wdbe rbd-ta Klmh hve-rsa Klmh ynda Kynyeb Nx ytaum-yk Kdbe edy Mwyh bawy rmayw Klmh-ta Krbyw wxtsyw hura wynp-la bawy lpyw 2 Samuel 14:22
2 Samuel 14:22 And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and
bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth
that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath
fulfilled the request of his servant.
Ksarb Kter-ta hwhy byshw yba dwdl tyve rsa Kbbl edy rsa herh-lk ta tedy hta yems-la Klmh rmayw 1 Kings 2:44
1 Kings 2:44
The king said moreover to Shimei, Thou knowest all the wickedness which
thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father: therefore
the LORD shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head;
Nnwbty alw Nwa-aryw aws-ytm edy awh-yk Job 11:11
Job 11:11
For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not
then consider it?
Job
11:11 and Job 23:10 are speaking about God who already knows everything.
aua bhzk ynnxb ydme Krd edy-yk Job 23:10
Job 23:10
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me,
I shall come forth as gold.
bl twmlet edy awh-yk taz-rqxy Myhla alh <44:22> Psalms 44:21
Psalms 44:21
Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the
heart.
lbh hmh-yk Mda twbsxm edy hwhy Psalms 94:11
Psalms 94:11
The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are
vanity.
ted Nyby-al esr Myld Nyd qydu edy Proverbs 29:7
Proverbs 29:7 ¶ The righteous considereth
the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
hzm hzl txn edy alw har-al sms-Mg Ecclesiastes 6:5
Ecclesiastes 6:5 Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known
any thing: this hath more rest than the other.
Myrxa tllq ta-Mg rsa Kbl edy twbr Mymep-Mg yk Ecclesiastes 7:22
Ecclesiastes 7:22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth
that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
Nnwbth al yme edy al larvy wyleb owba rwmxw whnq rws edy Isaiah 1:3
Isaiah 1:3
The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but
Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
Mwyh Mkb ytdyeh-yk wedt edy Myrum wabt-la hdwhy tyras Mkyle hwhy
rbd
Jeremiah 42:19
Jeremiah 42:19 The LORD hath said concerning you, O ye
remnant of
atlm ynm adza yd Nwtyzx yd lbq-lk Nynbz Nwtna ande yd hna edy byuy-Nm rmaw aklm hne Daniel 2:8
Daniel 2:8
The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would
gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.
hnd tmdq-Nm dbe awh-yd lbq-lk hhla Mdq adwmw alumw yhwkrb-le Krb awh amwyb
htlt Nynmzw Mlswry dgn htyleb hl Nxytp Nywkw htybl le abtk Mysr-yd edy ydk layndw <6:11> Daniel 6:10
Daniel 6:10
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into
his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he
kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before
his God, as he did aforetime.
edy al awhw wb hqrz hbyv-Mg edy al awhw wxk Myrz wlka Hosea 7:9
Hosea 7:9
Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it
not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not.
hbr hmhbw wlamvl wnymy-Nyb edy-al rsa Mda wbr hrve-Mytsm hbrh hb-sy
rsa hlwdgh ryeh hwnyn-le owxa al ynaw Jonah 4:11
Jonah 4:11
And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than
sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand
and their left hand; and also much cattle?
These
verses represent how God uses this Hebrew word with this same spelling. These
verses were not especially chosen to try to prove a point. They represent how
God uses this Hebrew word with this spelling.
We
want to keep in mind that the whole Bible is from the mouth of God, and that
includes the spelling of words. Therefore, examining these verses with the same
spelling in Hebrew is very important.
We
see that this spelling indicates a present knowledge. None of these verses are
not talking about a person who “will know” something in the future. Rather, the
context indicates that the person already “knows” the item in question.
Many
of these verses cannot be translated as “will know”. For example, God already
“knows” everything. We see several verses that speak about God knowing.
We
find two verses in which the translators put “shall know” for this
Hebrew word with this spelling:
Ksarb hyhy Kmd twmt twm yk edt edy Nwrdq lxn-ta trbew Ktau Mwyb hyhw 1 Kings 2:37
1 Kings 2:37
For it shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest over
the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely
die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head.
In 1 Kings 2:37, King Solomon is talking to
Shimei who cursed and threw stones at King David when he fled from
The reason that 1 Kings 2:37 is written in
the future, is because God starts out the verse as a hypothetical, future event
with the phrase “For it shall be”.
Because God starts this verse out as a
possible future event, the rest of the verse is written in the future tense.
However, Ecclesiastes 8:5 is not written as a hypothetical future event.
Ecclesiastes 8:5 declares the law of God and not a possible event.
Actually, 1 Kings 2:37 could be written with
the present tense “know”, like this:
For it shall be, that
on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, thou know
for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head.
The present tense fits because King Solomon
is telling him at that time what will happen to him if he crosses the brook
Kidron. Now, he already “knows” what will happen to him.
The second example is in Isaiah 52:6:
ynnh rbdmh awh-yna-yk awhh Mwyb Nkl yms yme edy Nkl Isaiah 52:6
Isaiah 52:6
Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall
know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is
I.
Let’s
look at the context. We read in verses 4-7:
4 For thus saith the Lord GOD, My people went
down aforetime into
5 Now therefore, what have I here, saith the
LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make
them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day is
blasphemed.
6 Therefore my people shall know my name:
therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth
speak: behold, it is I.
7
¶ How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good
tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that
publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
In
verse 6, the “my people” about whom God is speaking are the true
believers, the eternal “my people” of God.
The
phrase “they shall know” in italics was added by the translators
and confuses the verse.
Now,
let’s ask this question: Do the true believers already “know” the name
of God. Or, will they “know” the name of God sometime in the future?
The
answer is that the true believers already “know” the name of God.
The name of God has to do with attributes of God, and when God saves someone,
he begins to know the attributes of God. This verse should have been translated
with the present tense “know”.
With
these two corrections, Isaiah 52:6 is more accurately translated:
Therefore my people know my name: therefore in that
day I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.
God
is the great “I” that does speak.
The
present tense translation fits perfectly for 1 Kings 2:37 and Isaiah 52:6.
We
have seen a number of verses in which the spelling of the Hebrew word
translated “discerneth” (or “know”) in Ecclesiastes 8:5 must be
translated in the present tense. For example, God already “knows” everything.
There are no verses in which this spelling is better translated as “will know”.
Let’s
look again at Ecclesiastes 8:5:
Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil
thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.
There
are about 100 verses with this Hebrew word translated “discerneth”
with the same spelling that we find in Ecclesiastes 8:5. This word can also be
translated “know”.
Many
of these verses have been included in this study. An examination of all of them
shows that none of the uses of this Hebrew word with this spelling is in a
context that indicates a future tense. However, we have seen many verses which
must be translated in the present tense.
Therefore,
we know that Ecclesiastes 8:5 is correctly translated in our KJV Bible as “a
wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment”. According to how
God uses this Hebrew word with this spelling, the translation, “will discern”
or “will know” is not Biblical.
We
want to keep in mind that not only are the words themselves inspired by God,
but the spellings of the words are also from the mouth of God. God has told us
in 1 Corinthians 2:13 to compare Scripture with Scripture to understand what
God means. When we do that, we find that the spelling of this word “discerneth”
or “know” is not used to indicate a future tense, but rather a present
tense.
Some
people argue that Ecclesiastes 8:5 must be translated with the future tense as
“will know” because throughout history the true believers have never understood
“time”.
The
problem with this argument is that when people see the word “time” they
immediately think in their mind “the time line of history” or the calendar of
history.
Throughout
history, the true believers have not known the calendar of history. People say
that the true believers did not discern “time” in the past. Therefore, they
say, Ecclesiastes 8:5 must be a future prophecy.
The
problem with the above reasoning is that when people see the word “time” they
automatically think of the calendar of history or the “time line of history”.
However,
when we examine how God uses the word “time” in the Bible, we find that God
uses the word “time” in different ways in the Bible.
How
else does God use the word “time” in the Bible?
To
answer the above question, we must follow the Biblical rule of 1 Corinthians
2:13. We must compare Scripture with Scripture to see how God uses this Hebrew
word translated “time” in other parts of the Bible to understand what
God might mean by Ecclesiastes 8:5.
We
find this same Hebrew word translated “time” in Ecclesiastes 8:5 used
many times in Ecclesiastes 3. We read:
Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and
a time <06256> to every purpose under the heaven:
Ecclesiastes 3:2 A time <06256> to be born, and a
time <06256> to die; a time <06256> to plant, and a time
<06256> to pluck up that which is planted;
Ecclesiastes 3:3 A time <06256> to kill, and a time <06256> to heal; a time <06256> to break down, and a
time <06256> to build up;
Ecclesiastes 3:4 A time <06256> to weep, and a time <06256> to laugh; a time <06256> to mourn, and a time
<06256> to dance;
Ecclesiastes 3:5 A time <06256> to cast away stones,
and a time <06256> to gather stones together; a time <06256> to embrace, and a
time <06256> to refrain from embracing;
Ecclesiastes 3:6 A time <06256> to get, and a time <06256> to lose; a time <06256> to keep, and a time <06256> to cast away;
Ecclesiastes 3:7 A time <06256> to rend, and a time <06256> to sew; a time <06256> to keep silence, and
a time <06256> to speak;
Ecclesiastes 3:8 A time <06256> to love, and a time <06256> to hate; a time <06256> of war, and a time <06256> of peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 He hath made every thing beautiful in
his time <06256>: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no
man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
The
above verses all use this same Hebrew word translated “time” in Ecclesiastes
8:5.
Maybe
when we read the word “time” we automatically think of the “time line of
history”, however we have to see how God uses words in the Bible to understand
what God is teaching.
In
Ecclesiastes 3 we have many verses with this same Hebrew word translated “time”
in Ecclesiastes 8:5.
As
we examine Ecclesiastes 3 we see that God is using this word “time” in a
different way than the “time line of history”. Therefore, God is teaching that
the word “time” does not always mean the “time line of history” or the calendar
of history.
For
example, we read in verse 2:
A time <06256> to be born, and a
time <06256> to die; a time <06256> to plant, and a time
<06256> to pluck up that which is planted;
Here
this word “time” does not mean the time line of history. Rather, it
refers to events for man.
For
example, There was a time to “die”. Adam and all of the human race “died”
when he sinned. Also, there is a time for man to die from this world.
There
is time to be “born”. We are born again at the time that God saves us.
That is a time in our lives. We are also born from our mother’s womb.
There
is a time to “plant”. As we bring the Gospel, we are planting the seed
of the Gospel. There are times that we can bring the Gospel to others.
There
is a time to “pluck up” that which is planted. There is a harvest at the
end of the world.
We
read in verse 3:
A time <06256> to kill, and a time <06256> to heal; a time <06256> to break down, and a
time <06256> to build up;
There
is a time to “kill”. When Adam sinned, God “killed” all of
mankind (Romans 7:9-11). Mankind became separated from God, who is life.
There
is a time to “heal”. When God saves us, He heals our sin sickness. In
the believer’s sojourn there is a time that he is healed of his sin sickness.
There
is a time to “break down”. When God’s judgments come, at any time in
history, man is broken down. This has happened at various times in history.
There
is a time to “build up”. When we send out the Gospel and God blesses it,
the
We
read in verse 4:
A time <06256> to weep, and a time <06256> to laugh; a time <06256> to mourn, and a time
<06256> to dance;
There
is a time to “weep” and “mourn”. The Bible instructs us to weep
and mourn about our sins in seeking God for salvation. Today, is the time for
us to weep and mourn about our sins, especially if we are not saved.
There
is a time to “laugh” and a time to “dance”. These Hebrew words
identify with joy of salvation (2 Samuel 6:5, 1 Chronicles 15:29). When
salvation comes, there is joy. That is the “time” to “laugh” and to “dance”.
The
true believer discerns “time”, but the unsaved person does not.
The
true believer discerns that for the unsaved now is the “time” that they
should “weep” and “mourn” about their sin and cry to God for
salvation.
The
unsaved do not discern this. Until God acts in their hearts, they pass their
sojourn in this world oblivious to their need of salvation.
The
true believer discerns that for the saved, now is the “time” that they
can “laugh” and “dance” because God has paid for their sins and
promised them a wonderful eternal inheritance.
The
unsaved do not discern this. They continue their sojourn in this world not
recognizing the great blessing of salvation that God has given to the true
believers.
As
we examine these “times” to which God refers in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, we
see that they all have definite Gospel truth. They are events of important
Gospel significance in the sojourn of man in this world.
The
true believer is able to discern “time” or events of Ecclesiastes 3 because he
can see the Gospel truths in these important events in his sojourn with the
Lord. The unsaved cannot discern this.
In
Ecclesiastes 3, God is not using the word “time” in the sense of the
time line of history. Rather God is using the word “time” in the sense
of important Gospel events that happen to man in his sojourn in this world.
When
we apply the definition of “time” that God gives in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 to
Ecclesiastes 8:5, we see that the “time” that the true believers discern are
“times” of important gospel events in man’s sojourn. The unbelievers do not
discern this, but the true believers see the hand of God working in these
events.
Now,
let’s look at this Hebrew word translated “judgment” in Ecclesiastes
8:5. We see this same Hebrew word translated “judgment” in these verses:
Leviticus 18:4 Ye shall do my judgments <04941>, and keep mine
ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God.
Leviticus 18:5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my
judgments <04941>: which if a man do, he shall live in
them: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 18:26 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my
judgments <04941>, and shall not commit any of
these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger
that sojourneth among you:
Leviticus 26:15 And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if
your soul abhor my judgments <04941>, so that ye will not
do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant:
Leviticus 26:43 The land also shall be left of them, and
shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall
accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because they despised
my judgments <04941>, and because their soul abhorred my
statutes.
Leviticus 26:46 These are the statutes and judgments <04941> and laws, which the
LORD made between him and the children of
Numbers 36:13
These are the commandments and the judgments <04941>, which the LORD
commanded by the hand of Moses unto the children of
Deuteronomy 4:1 Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the
statutes and unto the judgments <04941>, which I teach you,
for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which
the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.
Deuteronomy 4:5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and
judgments <04941>, even as the LORD my God commanded
me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.
Deuteronomy 4:8 And what nation is there so great,
that hath statutes and judgments <04941> so righteous
as all this law, which I set before you this day?
Deuteronomy 5:1 And Moses called all Israel, and said unto
them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments <04941> which I speak in
your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.
Deuteronomy 6:1 Now these are the commandments, the
statutes, and the judgments <04941>, which the LORD your
God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye
go to possess it:
Deuteronomy 7:11 Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments,
and the statutes, and the judgments <04941>, which I command
thee this day, to do them.
Deuteronomy 8:11 Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God,
in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments <04941>, and his statutes,
which I command thee this day:
Deuteronomy 11:1 Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God,
and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments <04941>, and his
commandments, alway.
Deuteronomy 12:1 These are the statutes and judgments <04941>, which ye shall
observe to do in the land, which the LORD God of thy fathers giveth thee to
possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth.
Psalms 72:1
<<A Psalm for Solomon.>> Give the king thy judgments <04941>, O God, and thy
righteousness unto the king’s son.
Psalms 81:4
For this was a statute for Israel, and a law <04941> of the God of Jacob.
Psalms 89:30
If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments <04941>;
Psalms 97:8
Psalms 111:7
The works of his hands are verity and judgment <04941>; all his
commandments are sure.
Psalms 119:7
I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned
thy righteous judgments <04941>.
Psalms 119:13
With my lips have I declared all the judgments <04941> of thy mouth.
Psalms 119:20
My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments <04941> at all times.
Psalms 119:30
I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments <04941> have I laid before
me.
Psalms 119:39
Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments <04941> are good.
Psalms 119:43
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped
in thy judgments <04941>.
Psalms 119:52
I remembered thy judgments <04941> of old, O LORD; and
have comforted myself.
Psalms 119:62
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous
judgments <04941>.
Psalms 119:91
They continue this day according to thine ordinances <04941>: for all are
thy servants.
Psalms 119:102 I have not departed from thy judgments <04941>: for thou hast
taught me.
Psalms 119:106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,
that I will keep thy righteous judgments <04941>.
Psalms 119:108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill
offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments <04941>.
Psalms 119:121 AIN. I have done judgment <04941> and justice: leave me
not to mine oppressors.
Psalms 119:149 Hear my voice according unto thy
lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment <04941>.
Psalms 119:156 Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD:
quicken me according to thy judgments <04941>.
Psalms 119:160 Thy word is true from the
beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments <04941> endureth for
ever.
Psalms 119:164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of
thy righteous judgments <04941>.
Psalms 119:175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee;
and let thy judgments <04941> help me.
Psalms 147:19
He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments <04941> unto
Psalms 147:20
He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments <04941>, they have not known
them. Praise ye the LORD.
Proverbs 1:3
To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment <04941>, and equity;
Proverbs 2:8
He keepeth the paths of judgment <04941>, and preserveth the
way of his saints.
Proverbs 2:9
Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment <04941>, and equity; yea,
every good path.
Proverbs 8:20
I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of
judgment <04941>:
Proverbs 13:23 Much food is in the tillage of the
poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment <04941>.
Proverbs 16:10 A divine sentence is in the lips of
the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment <04941>.
Proverbs 17:23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the
bosom to pervert the ways of judgment <04941>.
The
long list was given to make a point.
This
is an excessive list of verses with this same Hebrew word translated “judgment”
in Ecclesiastes 8:5. More similar verses with this same Hebrew word translated
“judgment” could be given.
It
is true that this Hebrew word is used in the sense of the judge making a
judgment in a case, and it is also used to speak of God’s judgment upon the
unsaved.
However,
as seen above, this Hebrew word translated “judgment” is used many times
as a synonym for the Bible, the law of God. We can say that the Bible are the
judgments of God. The Bible is God’s judgment of how man should conduct
himself.
The
word “judgment” is frequently used as a synonym for the Bible itself.
Therefore, when we see the word “judgment” we cannot assume it refers to God’s
judgment upon the unsaved.
If
we examine the verses above, we see that God uses this Hebrew word both in the
singular and in the plural to refer to the Bible itself. We can say that the
Bible are the “judgments” of God. We can also say that collectively the Bible
is the “judgment” of God.
Frequently,
God uses the word “judgment” as a synonym for the Bible, the law of God. The
Bible is God’s “judgment” concerning mankind and his relationship to God.
For
example, Ephesians 5:25 says that husbands are to love their wives. That is
God’s “judgment” concerning marriage. Ephesians 5:22 says that wives are
to submit themselves unto their own husbands. That is also God’s “judgment”
concerning marriage.
When
God is saying that a wise man discerns (or knows) judgment, God is saying that
the true believer has come to at least the important basic truths of the Bible,
the judgment of God.
We
read in Ecclesiastes 8:5 that “wise man’s heart discerneth both time and
judgment”.
The
word “judgment” in this verse is a reference to the Bible, which is the
“judgment” of God concerning all things about which God wants man to
know.
Throughout
time, the true believers have discerned “judgment” in the sense that
they have understood key basic truths from the Bible.
They
have understood that the Bible is the word of God, written by God. They have
understood that they are truly sinners and that God is righteous. They have
understood that they deserve the wrath of God. They have understood that God is
the savior and that He must save them. They have understood that the true
believer walks according to the law of the Lord.
The
true believer discerns “judgment” in the sense that God has opened his eyes to
understand basic, but very important, truths of the Bible.
Throughout
time, the true believers have “discerned judgment”. That is, God has
opened their eyes to basic truths from the Bible which is the judgment of God.
With
the help of the above verses, let’s consider the second part of Ecclesiastes
8:5 again. We read there:
Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil
thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.
The
true believer discerns “both time and judgment”.
We
have seen that God uses these words to mean:
1.
Time: The important Gospel events that occur in man’s sojourn in this
world. The true believer can discern the working out of God’s will and the
Gospel in his life and in the lives of others. The unbelievers cannot discern
this. They pass their sojourn in this world without serious regard to the
Gospel.
2.
Judgment: This is a synonym for the Bible, the law of God. The true
believer discerns judgment, the Bible. Every true believer discerns at least
some basic truths of the Bible, like that he is a sinner and God is his savior,
etc. The unbelievers cannot.
When
we examine these words “time” and “judgment” as they are used in
other parts of the Bible, we see that they are both discerned by true believers
throughout history. They are not limited to the true believers at the end of
the world.
They
are not discerned by the unsaved.
God
has written Ecclesiastes 8:5 using language to refer to all true believers
throughout time. And, there is no problem with understanding that Ecclesiastes
8:5 is speaking about all believers throughout time.
It
is said that Ecclesiastes 8:5 is a prophecy that was not fulfilled until our
day. But, this is not what God is saying. Ecclesiastes 8:5 gives the law of God
for mankind throughout time, just like Jeremiah 17:9 and many other verses,
give the law of God.
Ecclesiastes
8:5 is not a prophecy that had no fulfillment until our day. Rather, it
is a statement of the law of God that applies throughout time, just like
Jeremiah 17:9.
We
read in Jeremiah 17:9:
The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Jeremiah
17:9 is a statement of the law of God that applies throughout time.
We
cannot change Jeremiah 17:9 to say that “there would come a time when
the heart would be deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.”
Rather,
Jeremiah 17:9 is part of the law of God. It declares the nature of unsaved man
throughout time. Likewise, Ecclesiastes 8:5 is a part of the law of God. It
declares the nature of the true believer throughout time.
We
receive further confirmation that this is true when we examine the context of
this verse.
The
context of Ecclesiastes 8:5 agrees that these verses speak about all true
believers throughout time.
Let’s
examine Ecclesiastes 8:5-7 and see if the context helps us to understand to
whom these verses are referring.
We
read there:
5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no
evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.
6
¶ Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of
man is great upon him.
7 For he knoweth not that
which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
In
the first part of verse 5 we read “Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel
no evil thing”.
Is
this statement talking about all true believers throughout time or just those
at the end?
The
first part of Ecclesiastes 8:5 is certainly talking about all true believers
throughout time. When God saves us we have a desire to “keep the
commandment”, the whole Bible. This has been true of all believers
throughout time.
The
true believer is safe and secure in Christ so that he “shall feel no evil
thing”. The “evil thing” from which the true believer is protected
is the wrath of God. This is true for all believers throughout time.
The
first part of verse 5 must be talking about all true believers throughout time.
The promises of salvation are for all believers. All of time is the context for
verse 5.
Then,
in verse 6 we read “Because to every purpose there is time and judgment”.
The
word “time” here has to do with God’s timing for events to occur in the
lives of people. We saw this truth in Ecclesiastes 3. God has a “time”
for everything that He plans for each person. This has been true throughout the
history of the world. God has a “time” for everything that He plans for
everyone that has ever lived.
The
true believers are able to discern the working out of God’s plan in these “times”.
The unbelievers cannot.
The
word “judgment” here identifies with the Word of God, which is the
judgment of God for mankind. Everything that happens throughout history is
governed by the word of God. Every purpose of God is controlled by God’s
judgment, the Bible. Every purpose of man is subject to the law of God, the
judgment of God.
Therefore
the phrase “Because to every purpose there is time and judgment” fits
perfectly to God’s dealings with mankind throughout time.
Notice
that God talks about “every purpose”, not just those purposes for the end of
time. Every purpose includes God’s purposes throughout history.
As
God is working out His “purpose” in this world, there is a “time”
for each purpose. The true believers can discern God’s working at various “times”.
Also, to every purpose of God is His “judgment”, the Bible, that directs
God’s dealings in this world.
We
receive further confirmation that the “time” of Ecclesiastes 8:6 refers to the
events in the sojourn of people as recounted in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 by comparing
two verses.
Let’s
compare the language of “time” and “purpose” found in
Ecclesiastes 3:1 and 8:6. We read in these two verses:
Ecclesiastes
3:1 To every thing there is a
season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Ecclesiastes
8:6 Because to every purpose there is
time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.
In
Ecclesiastes 3:1, God instructs that there is a “time” to every “purpose”
of God. In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, God defines these “times” as events in
the sojourn of people, both saved and unsaved, in this world.
Ecclesiastes
3:1-8 applies to mankind throughout time.
Then,
in Ecclesiastes 8:6, God uses similar language to that of Ecclesiastes 3.1. In
Ecclesiastes 8:6, God says that to every “purpose” there is “time”.
That is similar to Ecclesiastes 3:1 that says that there is a “time” to
every “purpose”.
The
parallel language of Ecclesiastes 3:1 and 8:6 confirms that the “times” of
Ecclesiastes 8:6 refer to the events with Gospel significance that occur in the
sojourn of man in this world.
This
has been true throughout time for mankind.
Let’s
continue with our examination of the context of Ecclesiastes 8:5.
The
last part of verse 6 says “therefore the misery of man is great upon
him”.
The
word “misery” is most commonly translated “evil”. The “the evil
of man is great upon him”.
The
evil of man’s sins is great upon him. That is true for all mankind throughout
time.
Why
is the misery (or evil) of man great upon him? Sadly, it is because man
continues in his sin. This is a statement that applies to all mankind
throughout time.
Only
the grace of God can rescue man from his sins.
Verse
6 talks about “every purpose” of God. God has been carrying out His “every
purpose” with mankind throughout the history of man. God has been carrying
out his purposes in His “times” in the sojourn of men according to His “judgment”,
the Bible. This has been happening throughout the history of man.
We
see that verse 6 applies to all mankind throughout time.
Let’s
now look at verse 7. We read there:
For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can
tell him when it shall be?
Is
this speaking about mankind throughout time or just at the end?
Verse
7 applies to mankind throughout time; not only to those at the end.
Throughout
time, mankind has not known “that which shall be”.
“that
which shall be” applies not only to Judgment Day, but to every man’s whole
sojourn in this world.
God
has His “every purpose” that He has been carrying out throughout human
history and mankind does not know what that is.
Man
does not know if it is God’s “purpose” that he will die of a heart
attack tomorrow.
Man
does not know if he will have a horrible accident tomorrow so that he cannot
work and support his family.
Throughout
history man does not know “that which shall be”. God has His “every
purpose” that impacts the whole human race and man does not know that.
The
second part of verse 7 says “for who can tell him when it shall be?”
This
statement is also true for mankind throughout time.
Man
does know that some day he will die from this world, but he does not know when.
He knows that bad things happen to people, but he does not know what might
happen to him or when it will happen to him.
The
only one who knows these things is God. Man can find out what God has to tell
him by reading the Bible. Even then, God does not tell man many of the details
that man wants to know.
Also,
sadly, unsaved man generally will not listen to the Bible.
So,
verse 7 clearly applies to mankind throughout time.
We
can see that Ecclesiastes 8:5-7 applies to mankind throughout time and not just
those at the end of time.
Ecclesiastes
8:5-7 is written to speak to all true believers and to all mankind throughout
time. A careful examination of these verses shows that they apply to all time.
We
should not change verses to fit our theology or to help us understand them. We
must read the Bible and study it the way God has written it. When we do that,
we see that Ecclesiastes 8:5-7 fits perfectly to apply to all mankind
throughout time.
The
Bible does indicate that God would open up more truth near the end. For example
we read two verses in Daniel 12:
Daniel
12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the
words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to
and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Daniel
12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel:
for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
These
two verses in Daniel 12 teach that God would seal up much end time truth until
we got to the end, and at the end “knowledge shall be increased”. The
knowledge that God is concerned about is truth from the Bible.
However,
Ecclesiastes 8:5-7 is teaching truths that apply to all believers throughout
time.
When
we examine Ecclesiastes 8:5 carefully, we find that is applies to all true
believers throughout time. It affirms that the true believers will have some
discernment of “judgment” which is a synonym for the law of God, the Bible. It
also says that they will discern “time” which according to Ecclesiastes 3 can
be the “times” in man’s sojourn in this world.
Therefore,
Ecclesiastes 8:5 is not a promise that believers at the end of the world would
understand more about the time line of history or about God’s Judgment plan.