Ecclesiastes 8 · Grade 4
Trusting God's Justice
Read and Think
Chapter 8 begins with praise for wisdom. Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed. The Preacher urges obedience to rulers: I say, Keep the king's command! because of the oath to God.
He says, Whoever keeps the commandment shall not come to harm, and his wise heart will know the time and procedure. He also sees a problem: Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. When wrong is not punished quickly, people do more wrong.
Still, the Preacher trusts God's justice. Though a sinner commits crimes a hundred times, and lives long, yet surely I know that it will be better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him. But it shall not be well with the wicked. He commends joy, and he admits that man can't find out the work that is done under the sun.
Show What You Know
What does a man's wisdom make shine?
What will the wise heart know?
What happens when wrong is not punished quickly?
Who are reverent before God?
What shall not be well with the wicked?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- Chapter 8 begins with praise for .
- because of the oath to .
- He says, Whoever keeps the commandment shall not come to , and his wise heart will know the time and procedure.
Think About It
Whoever keeps the commandment shall not come to harm. How does obeying God's commands protect you?
It will be better with those who fear God. How does this help when it seems like wrong goes unpunished?
Memory Verse
“Though a sinner commits crimes a hundred times, and lives long, yet surely I know that it will be better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him.”
Ecclesiastes 8:12 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for being with those who fear You. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- Why is it hard to wait for justice?
- How can you trust God when you do not understand what He is doing?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.