Injustice

Eccles. 8:14-15

14 There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. 15 And I commend joy, for man has no good thing under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.

• How important is justice to you?
  - How upset do you get when you see wrongdoing go unpunished?
  - How upset do you get when good deeds are unrewarded?
  - Which do you feel the most strongly about?
  - In life under the sun how much justice should you expect?
  
• What does Solomon commend to a man living under the sun?
  - Do you think he is recommending hedonistic lifestyle? Why or why not?
  
• Which of the following is more beneficial to man under the sun and why?
  - worrying about various injustices
  - enjoying the life you have
  
• How does looking at your life as something God gave you help your point of view?

Harold's Musings:
I once read that man wants justice for others and mercy for himself. Our society seems to be enthralled with "bad boys", especially those who get away with something against authorities. As a society we want to define injustice on an individual basis. "It is ok to give copies of my CD's to my friends because the music companies are making too much money on them." Translation: it is ok for me to steal but not for the company to overcharge. The company wants justice. The person claims what they are doing is just. Without God's Word as a standard, justice is close to being imaginary.