The Teacher has dedicated himself to being wise but still could not work everything out. We imagine that if only we try hard enough we can do anything. The truth is that without God we can do nothing.
So he turned to try and work out what was going on with human stupidity and wickedness, so he had plenty of material to work with!
First he considers the woman who is a temptress. Sinners will be ensnared by her, and numerous men have been trapped by sexual sin. A sign of pleasing God is that we escape this snare.
Verse 27 and 28 will not be very popular with half the population! Mind you, men only come off slightly better. In truth there has been only one upright man ever, the Lord Jesus Christ, and no upright women (not even Mary!). God created mankind perfect, but man then went off in his own direction.
Sometimes wise people can be imagined as being dour, but true wisdom will brighten a man's face. His face will no longer be hard, and nor will his heart.
We are to respect authority. Here is specifically refers to the king, in Romans 13 Paul broadens out the principle.
There may be a time when someone who is evil seems to have power, but he too will one day die and have none.
Even so, it is better that justice is done quickly. Our legal system would do well to pay heed to verse 11! When justice is not done, or is so slow to happen, more people plot evil ways.
However, God is the ultimate judge, so the truly wise person will make it their goal to please God. Yet sometimes the good suffer and the wicked prosper. The Teacher's advice seems to be to make the best of life. We cannot work everything out.
No one can fully understand what life is about. We need to trust in the Lord.
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