Ecclesiastes 14

The Question:

Ecclesiastes 8:1 CSB

1 Who is like the wise person, and who knows the interpretation of a matter? A person’s wisdom brightens his face, and the sternness of his face is changed.

Wisdom in Regards to Submission to the King

Ecclesiastes 8:2–3 CSB

2 Keep the king’s command because of your oath made before God. 3 Do not be in a hurry; leave his presence, and don’t persist in a bad cause, since he will do whatever he wants.

Ecclesiastes Theological Implications

absolute power corrupts absolutely

A King is Sovereign

Ecclesiastes 8:3–4 CSB

3 Do not be in a hurry; leave his presence, and don’t persist in a bad cause, since he will do whatever he wants. 4 For the king’s word is authoritative, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

Traditional Wisdom Says There Is Protection In Submission To Authority

Ecclesiastes 8:5 CSB

5 The one who keeps a command will not experience anything harmful, and a wise heart knows the right time and procedure.

True Wisdom Is Waiting For The Right Moment To Act.

Ecclesiastes 8:6 CSB

6 For every activity there is a right time and procedure, even though a person’s troubles are heavy on him.

Yet, Applying Wisdom Doesn’t Guarantee Success In A Fallen World

Ecclesiastes 8:7–8 CSB

7 Yet no one knows what will happen because who can tell him what will happen? 8 No one has authority over the wind to restrain it, and there is no authority over the day of death; no one is discharged during battle, and wickedness will not allow those who practice it to escape.

Solomon’s Conclusion: Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely

Ecclesiastes 8:9 CSB

9 All this I have seen, applying my mind to all the work that is done under the sun, at a time when one person has authority over another to his harm.

NT Application:

Mark 12:17 CSB

17 Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at him.

Submit to Government Authority

Romans 13:1–7 CSB

1 Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. 2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. 4 For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. 5 Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath but also because of your conscience. 6 And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s servants, continually attending to these tasks. 7 Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.

Christians are not to be a band of people unto themselves and should submit to the government authority

Submit Always??

Romans 13:3–4 (CSB)

3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad [Evil]. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval.

4 For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.

Romans 13:8 CSB

8 Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Matthew 5:18 CSB

18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all things are accomplished.

So What Are We To Do When Governing Authority Promotes What Is Evil and Punishes What Is Good According to God’s Standard?

Acts 5:29–32 CSB

29 Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than people. 30 The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had murdered by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted this man to his right hand as ruler and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”