Solomon on Crime and Punishment

( Getting Away with Sin )

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Ecclesiastes 8:11

8:11 When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong.

Crime is rampant in these times

Are Crimes Punished?

We are living in violent times. Jobless rates are out of control, drug and alcohol use is widespread. Criminals commit multiple offenses against men, women, and even children.

The most recent crime of choice seems to be home invasion which is many times an uncommonly violent crime because people are at home and their basic safety is violated. And, it seems that the criminals are seldom punished for their actions.

Drugs Pour In - Violence Follows

Drug dealers line the streets of America along with the streets of foreign countries - our southern neighbor's drug lords instill fear among her own people along with the border states of the USA. Illegal drugs are pouring into this country at an alarming rate. These drug lords are getting richer from their crimes seemingly without punishment while the addicts suffer. Is this justice?

What does this have to do with crime and punishment in the Bible?

According to Solomon in these Bible verses from Ecclesiastes, crime should be punished and sentences carried out quickly as a deterrent. An example is that, if a small child does something wrong and is not caught, the next "crime" will come much easier to him or her.

Crime and the punishment of God

What about us? We commit "crimes" against God every day and most of the time receive no immediate punishment. These crimes are called sin. Sin is anything we do or say or think that displeases God so there is not a day that passes in our lives that we do not sin.

"Getting away with Crime"

We may think that we are getting away with these sins because we receive no retribution but God knows everything that we do and think. When the time comes, we will have to stand before God in judgment of these sins and answer for everything we have done in this life.

Will we be punished for our crimes?

When it comes to the crimes or sins we have committed against God, we have but one defense -- Jesus Christ. As Christians, Jesus has already cleansed us from the crime and defends us from the punishment of God if we have accepted Him and admitted our shortcomings.

Love in Christ

- Bob

P.S. If you would like to go to the beginning of Ecclesiastes and read the entire book along with comments just go to

Past Bible Study Verses

Ecclesiastes 7:15-18 - Can You be Too Good ?