Ecclesiastes Chapter Three cont... The places of Judgment.

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”.

The inconsistent measurement of man; in judgment, where one would expect a place of balanced scales of justice, there may be great iniquity. Also, in the halls of the righteous (places where one would expect righteous judgment) there may wickedness. Solomon is, of course, guilty himself of these crimes upon the people and so he may be referring to himself. For instance, he himself the son of a righteous king became a terrible oppressor of his people. The plea of the people to Rehoboam (Solomon's son) at the onset of his reign "Your father made our yoke grievous..." (1 Kings 12:3-4)

Do not allow yourself to be surprised or offended when it becomes apparent that judgment is being denied. After the principle of Matt 18:7 we should realize that injustices must come (and they can be used to polish the righteous) but woe unto them by whom they come! The unrighteousness of others can try us and reveal who we really are, our own fallen nature that must be overcome. This is basically what Solomon says in Eccl 3:18 [RV] "I said in mine heart, It is because of the sons of men, that God may prove them, and that they may see that they themselves are but as beasts."

17 “I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work”.

This is true; everything is manifest of what sort it is through judgment. God does judge the righteous and the wicked and this is even supported in the New Testament (1 Peter 4:17-18).  One must remember, however, that God does not judge the righteous with the wicked. He causes His judgment to begin in the house of the Lord; He cleans it up by His judgment and it is unto life. However, once the house of God is in order then comes judgment on the wicked and the sinner (some of which rejoiced to see God judge the righteous as was the case in the life of David) and God clearly makes the distinction between the righteous and the wicked then. His judgment on the wicked and sinful is severe and final but the righteous are brought forth to the light and are blessed in the end. Proverbs 11:31 – “Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner”.