Ecc 8:11, Amo 6:3 | JFB | STEP | 11. The reason why the wicked persevere in sin: God's delay in judgment ( ; , ). "They see not the smoke of the pit, therefore they dread not the fire" [South], ( ). Joab's escape from the punishment of his murder of Abner, so far from "leading him to repentance," as it ought ( ), led him to the additional murder of Amasa.

‏ Ecclesiastes 8:11

11. The reason why the wicked persevere in sin: God's delay in judgment (Mt 24:48-51; 2Pe 3:8, 9). "They see not the smoke of the pit, therefore they dread not the fire" [South], (Psa 55:19). Joab's escape from the punishment of his murder of Abner, so far from "leading him to repentance," as it ought (Ro 2:4), led him to the additional murder of Amasa.

‏ Amos 6:3

3. Ye persuade yourselves that "the evil day" foretold by the prophets is "far off," though they declare it near (Eze 12:22, 27). Ye in your imagination put it far off, and therefore bring near violent oppression, suffering it to sit enthroned, as it were, among you (Psa 94:20). The notion of judgment being far off has always been an incentive to the sinner's recklessness of living (Ec 8:12, 13; Mt 24:48). Yet that very recklessness brings near the evil day which he puts far off. "Ye bring on fever by your intemperance, and yet would put it far off" [Calvin].