.4:1-3.

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Injustice in the world (Ec 3:16-4:3)

Having acknowledged God’s order in human events, the writer now observes that the ‘order’ is, at times, not very orderly. For example, injustice abounds (Ec 3:16).

Maybe, thinks the writer, God will put everything right in a judgment day in the afterlife (Ec 3:17).

On the other hand, thinks he, there may not be an afterlife. He observes that people die the same as animals, as if God is trying to show that they are no different from the beasts.

Also, he asks, can it be proved that people have life after death? The best they can do, concludes the writer, is to enjoy life while they can (Ec 3:18-22).

Although the enjoyment of life is a desirable goal, the world has so much cruelty and oppression that many people have no way of finding any sort of enjoyment.

It would be better for these sufferers if they were dead; better still if they had never been born (Ec 4:1-3).