Verse 2
2. A profane sentiment if severed from its connection; but just in its bearing on Solomon's scope. If religion were not taken into account (Ecclesiastes 3:17; Ecclesiastes 3:19), to die as soon as possible would be desirable, so as not to suffer or witness "oppressions"; and still more so, not to be born at all (Ecclesiastes 3:19- :). Job (Job 3:12; Job 21:7), David (Psalms 73:3, c.), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 12:1), Habakkuk (Jeremiah 12:1- :), all passed through the same perplexity, until they went into the sanctuary, and looked beyond the present to the "judgment" (Psalms 73:17 Habakkuk 2:20; Habakkuk 3:17; Habakkuk 3:18). Then they saw the need of delay, before completely punishing the wicked, to give space for repentance, or else for accumulation of wrath (Romans 2:15); and before completely rewarding the godly, to give room for faith and perseverance in tribulation (Romans 2:15- :). Earnests, however, are often even now given, by partial judgments of the future, to assure us, in spite of difficulties, that God governs the earth.
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