Ecclesiastes 27 Rulers and those who follow them

Ecclesiastes (27) Rulers and those who follow them Ecclesiastes 8: 1 -9

About this section • We continue our study of the second half of Ecclesiastes, we are addressing some thoughts about wisdom. • Our text makes some observations about kings and their subjects (8: 1 -9) • In our challenging times, there are some good reminders for us here!

Who is like a wise man? (8: 1) • Godly leaders will be wise – • Proverbs 28: 2, Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes; But by a man of understanding and knowledge right will be prolonged. • The book of Proverbs regularly addresses kings, both wise and foolish. Ecclesiastes 4: 13

Who is like a wise man? (8: 1) • Godly leaders will be wise – • BUT, also subjects to rulers need to be wise. Our text addresses this. • Who is a leader? Governing authorities, in the home, workplace, society, even the church. Principles of wise leadership apply everywhere.

Who is like a wise man? (8: 1) • Wisdom makes his face shine, and the sternness of his face is changed • Wise rule can lead to contentment and rejoicing. A bright countenance – within the kingdom. It can give peace. It can also cause others to look at one with approval Proverbs 14: 35 – both ways!

Keep the king’s commandment (8: 2 -4) • Consider Romans 13: 1 -7, 1 Peter 2: 13 -17 – NT passages that apply to us. There are many parallels in Ecclesiastes to these NT passages.

Keep the king’s commandment (8: 2 -4) • I say, ‘Keep the king’s commandment’ • Wisdom says to do what the king tells you. This is common sense. When you do well, you have nothing to fear. • What is tragic is a government that allows anarchy and lawlessness to taint it. cf. Ecclesiastes 8: 11

Keep the king’s commandment (8: 2 -4) • For the sake of your oath to God • God TELLS us to obey our governing authorities! Romans 13: 1 -3, 1 Peter 2: 13 -14 – submit to authorities, do not resist it; EVERY ordinance, etc.

Keep the king’s commandment (8: 2 -4) • Do not be hasty to go from his presence • Be careful before you rebel/reject the king • Romans 13: 3, Do good and you will be unafraid

Keep the king’s commandment (8: 2 -4) • Do not be hasty to go from his presence • NOTE: The NT was written during a time of hostility against God and Christians. We cannot ignore that with such commands as these! We are to pray for them – 1 Timothy 2: 1 -2, we are to honor them (Romans 13: 7, 1 Peter 2: 17)

Keep the king’s commandment (8: 2 -4) • Do not take your stand for an evil thing • There are things we cannot agree with or participate in – Acts 5: 29 • But are we careful and certain when we invoke this principle? This is NOT about what we don’t like or don’t agree with – but about that which is absolute evil!

Keep the king’s commandment (8: 2 -4) • For he does what pleases him • A sad reality is leaders can be haughty and do whatever they want. Kings were typically sovereign. Not uncommon for one to abuse his power • But good rulers can do as they please as well – but it will be right!

Keep the king’s commandment (8: 2 -4) • Where the word of the king is there is power • Rulers have authority. Even from God as we have noted! Romans 13: 1, 4 • Therefore we ought to tread lightly and wisely in our dealings with them

Keep the king’s commandment (8: 2 -4) • And who may say, “What are you doing? ” • Be careful in questioning the king! • There is a difference between wicked and good kings here – one is self-willed but the other will listen.

Keep the king’s commandment (8: 2 -4) • And who may say, “What are you doing? ” • How respectful are we toward our leaders? How do we talk about them and to them? • As Christians, in America, we have a right to criticize, BUT is it always the wise and right thing to do? 1 Corinthians 10: 23, Titus 3: 1 -2 Are we honoring the king?

Keep the king’s commandment (8: 2 -4) • And who may say, “What are you doing? ” • How respectful are we toward our leaders? Consider: Do we second guess decisions of our leaders. Do we automatically assume the best or worst based upon party affiliation? This is NOT about agreement or approval of sin, but RESPECT and HONOR!

When we keep the king’s commandment (8: 5) • He who keeps the king’s command will experience nothing harmful • As noted, governments (typically) punish the evil doer and reward/protect the obedient to law

When we keep the king’s commandment (8: 5) • A wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment • There is a time for everything (Eccl. 3: 1) The wise thinks and weighs his word before he responds Ephesians 5: 15 -16, Matthew 10: 16 NOTE: A wise leader wants to be corrected when wrong – but there is a right and wrong way to do it

For every matter (8: 6 -9) • For every matter there is a time and judgment • Here the point is, in time all things will work out. Crisis tend to resolve, rulers (good and evil) come and go • But also consider God in this Romans 12: 19 -20 - Israel is a history lesson for this!

For every matter (8: 6 -9) • Though the misery of man increases greatly • God knows what you are going through. And yes, there are wicked and selfish rulers who exploit their subjects. Again, Israel is a history lesson for this! Just read the prophets! • 1 John 4: 4 – God IS in control. NOTE: While this is His power over Satan, it applies to rulers as well

For every matter (8: 6 -9) • For he does not know what will happen, So who can tell him when it will occur? • Life has a way of changing man’s plans (think 2020) But we adapt. • BUT there are things we cannot control or predict:

For every matter (8: 6 -9) • Things we cannot predict: No one has power over the spirit to retain the spirit (NASB – no one has authority to restrain the wind with the wind) • We CANNOT control heat, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc. Even a rich and powerful king cannot control this

For every matter (8: 6 -9) • Things we cannot predict: And no one has power in the day of death • We cannot stop death from coming. We may be able to delay the inevitable, but Hebrews 9: 27 Even a rich and powerful king cannot control this

For every matter (8: 6 -9) • Things we cannot predict: There is no release from that war • Whether addressing one in battle, or the battle to stay alive – we will NOT win! Even a rich and powerful king cannot control this

For every matter (8: 6 -9) • Things we cannot predict: Wickedness will not deliver those given to it • The powerful and wicked may prosper in this life, but God knows (cf. Psalm 2: 1 -4). Wickedness does not buy peace Even a rich and powerful king cannot control this • Godly rulers can live in peace

All this I have seen (8: 9) • All this I have seen and applied… • There is a time when one rules over another to his own hurt • He had seen wicked rulers and the hurt they caused 1) to others, and 2) themselves. • Such is the vanity of life. We cannot control who is in power, but we can act with wisdom toward them!

Are you respectful of God as you consider your rulers? Ecclesiastes 12: 13 -14

Let us pray!