Why does delayed punishment make the problem of injustice harder to understand?

The chapter connects wisdom with conduct before a powerful king. The listener should not leave the king’s presence hastily or persist in evil. A wise heart understands the proper time and response. But people cannot command the spirit, control the day of death, or escape a war at will. Wickedness cannot save the wicked. Sometimes one person rules another to his own harm.

The Preacher has seen wicked people buried after being praised in the city as if they were just. When judgment is slow, people become less afraid to do evil. Even if a sinner commits evil a hundred times and is tolerated, the speaker says it will be well with those who fear God. He wishes that the wicked person’s days would pass like a shadow. Still, he sees just people suffering as if they were wicked, and wicked people living safely as if they were just.

He then commends eating, drinking, and enjoying the days God gives. Challoner records two readings of this passage. Some commentators think the speaker is presenting a reckless person’s objections to providence, which will later be answered. Another reading understands it as praise of a moderate use of earthly goods, instead of anxious attachment to them or proud attempts to uncover God’s hidden ways.

The Preacher studies wisdom and the restless work of people who lose sleep. He concludes that people cannot explain all God’s works. More effort does not guarantee an answer, and even a wise person’s claim to know does not settle the matter.