Ecclesiastes 3:16-22 The Vanity of Injustice The Reality of Injustice. Vs. 16 What God does about injustice. Vs. 17-21 What we can do to be Just. Vs. 22

Reality of Injustice Ecclesiastes 3:16 16 Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness.

Reality of Injustice Ecclesiastes 3:16 16 Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. Justice: the establishment or determination of rights according to the rules of law or equity

What God does about Injustice Ecclesiastes 3:17 17 I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work.

What God does about Injustice Ecclesiastes 3:18-21 18 I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts. 19 For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. 20 All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. 21 Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth?

Romans 1:18–21 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

The herd (those in power) determine justice Social Darwinism The herd (those in power) determine justice

The herd (those in power) determine justice Social Darwinism The herd (those in power) determine justice NAZI Germany – Jews are less than human

The herd (those in power) determine justice Social Darwinism The herd (those in power) determine justice NAZI Germany – Jews are less than human Roe vs. Wade – unborn are not persons

The herd (those in power) determine justice Social Darwinism The herd (those in power) determine justice NAZI Germany – Jews were less than human Roe vs. Wade – unborn are not persons Early “Christian” America – Blacks and Indians had no souls

Root of Injustice Dehumanizing Others

Dehumanizing Others In the home: I exalt myself above my family. Root of Injustice Dehumanizing Others In the home: I exalt myself above my family.

Root of Injustice Dehumanizing Others In the home: I exalt myself above my family. In the workplace: I exalt myself above my employees.

Root of Injustice Dehumanizing Others In the home: I exalt myself above my family. In the workplace: I exalt myself above my employees. In society: I exalt my tribe above other tribes.

What we can do to be just Ecclesiastes 3:22 22 So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?

Philippians 2:3-8 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.