Sunday, September13, 2020 pm
STUDIES IN ECCLESIASTES
(28)
Rulers, and those who follow them - 2
Ecclesiastes 8:1-9
Today we want to continue our study in Ecclesiastes.
We are currently addressing a
section that deals with rulers and those who follow them.
In our last lesson we noted the blessedness of wisdom for both
rulers and subjects. We also
noted how what is said here relates to what we read about our
responsibilities as Christians toward our government (Romans 13:1-7, 1
Peter 2:13-17). We also
discussed a little about what it means to “honor the king” and how that
applies regardless of whether they are godly or not.
The only caveat is if we are compelled to do evil, in which case
“we ought obey God rather than men” (Acts 4:29).
But we must be care not to abuse that as well.
We concluded our lesson by noting how the wise man choses the
right time and place to speak, especially with concerns.
Tonight, we will conclude the rest of this section by noting how there
are things we cannot control, even kings.
This is a familiar theme in the book of Ecclesiastes.
a.
In the previous verse we
noted how the wise is timely in judgments and reactions.
The Bible challenges us to think before we speak (James 1:19).
In vs. 6, we find out why.
Because, for everything that happens there is a time and judgment.
Life has a way of running its course and in time all will work out, one
way or another. Let us
consider this right now.
Crisis have a tendency to pass in time (whether fires, storms or
viruses), though sometimes it takes longer than we like.
Evil (and good) rulers come and go.
BUT also consider that God weighs everything - judgment - (Proverbs 21:2
– He “weighs the heart”).
Romans 12:19-20 – vengeance belongs to God – He will repay!
Consider that Israel is our history lesson – God dealt with both corrupt
and good leaders. Typically,
when evil leaders perished there was little sorrow as that often led to
relief.
b.
Though the misery of man increases greatly
–
When we are facing difficult and unpleasant times, we want them to
change and we want it NOW!
Sadly that doesn’t always happen.
In many instances, before you see the sunlight, you have to
weather the storm. And it
can last awhile.
CONSIDER this in the context of ungodly leaders – they often make the
life of the godly miserable.
They oppress and at times they exploit for selfish reasons.
BUT God knows what we go through in this life.
And He knows who is doing what.
AGAIN, consider Israel and Judah -
A reading of the prophets finds ungodly leaders who oppressed and
overly burdened their subjects and the wrath of God that awaited them.
Often the righteous were
persecuted, exploited or left behind.
BUT in those same prophets you find warnings of judgment and a
time of hope was coming.
Even with very wicked leaders, know that God is in control. 1
John 4:4 – He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world
(NOTE: If God is greater than Satan, is He not also greater than his
servants, even in positions of worldly power?)
And in time, even their rule
will end!
Revelation 6:9-10 records the 5th of 7 seals being opened by
the Lord and we find souls that had been martyred crying out, “How
long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on
those who dwell on the earth?”
They were comforted and told that it is coming.
c.
There are things we simply do not know
i.
For he does not know what will happen, Who can tell him when it will
occur? (7)
–
Life has a way of being filled with twists – consider where we are today
compared to January 2020.
Who would have thought? But
life happens and we have to adapt – and be prepared to adapt.
This also applies to God’s judgment against the ungodly (cf. 2 Peter
3:10)
And His judgment of king, rulers and their subjects.
ii.
No one has power over the spirit to retain the spirit (8)
–
This could have reference to the spirit of man and speak of how we
cannot indefinitely preserve ourselves (see the next phrase).
You are NOT going to keep yourself from standing before judgment
(cf. Romans 14:10-12)
- OR the NASB says, “No man has authority to restrain the wind with
the wind…”
A good case can be made for this reading.
1) If it is about death, that is repeated in the next phrase
(but then again all 4 phrases here could refer to that); 2) It is a true
statement! We CANNOT control
the weather! Man cannot stop the heat, or hurricanes, fires or
earthquakes, etc. 3) The
same word is found in Ecclesiastes 11:4-5 where we read, He who
observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not
reap. As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the
bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the
works of God who makes everything.
Consider also John 3:8 where Jesus compares the work of the
Spirit to that of wind.
NOTE: Even a rich and
powerful king cannot stop such.
iii.
No one has power in the day of death (8)–
how often Solomon has alluded to this – EVERYONE will die! God and
wicked alike.
Hebrews 9:27 tells us we are appointed to this.
Man may try to prolong life – but even if he succeeds, he will still
die. NO amount of power or
money will change that!
iv.
There is no release from war (8)– This could be the fact that in war, you stay till it
is over and regardless of the outcome. OR,
think of the draft in times of war – you go whether you want to or not
(few are released); OR for some, war is their end.
OR think of one captive in war – you remain such until the war is
over, and often treated very cruelly.
OR this could be the battle to stay alive – which you will lose
eventually!
Regardless, the point is the same – no matter how rich or powerful
OR SMART you are, there are things you cannot ultimately control!
(NOTE: But heed everything we have said about wisdom as it can
prolong your days and prevent SOME wars).
v.
Wickedness will not deliver those who are given to it (8)–
HEED this warning! Powerful
and wicked leaders may prosper in this life (cf. Psalm 2:1-3) but know
that God “who sits in the heavens shall laugh” (Psa. 2:4).
You cannot resist God.
And wickedness does NOT buy peace.
It might buy protection, but it will not give you true peace.
Think of master criminals – leaders of cartels and gangs and
terrorists. They may have
material prosperity, but they are always in hiding!
Is that a way to live?
Furthermore, they cannot control: 1) The weather, 2) the day of their
death; 3) release from wars.
Godly rulers – at least they can live with the peace of mind that they
have done what is right and they have tried their best toward that end.
And no matter what happens, God knows!
a.
Such is a typical
statement of Solomon in this letter.
He is observing life, with its good and evil.
b.
There is a time in which
a man rules over another to his own hurt.
Solomon had likely seen rulers who acted wickedly and noted how it:
i.
Hurt others – how often
do the scriptures condemn corrupt leaders who are selfish and evil
ii.
Hurt himself –
scriptures show that wicked leaders will face the wrath of God, as will
all. As previously noted, we
will all give an accounting of ourselves for what we have done (Romans
14:10-12), whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Typically evil rulers do not prosper.
Are there exceptions?
Absolutely – at least in this life.
But know that before God there are NO exceptions!
He will judge fairly and justly.
That is our hope.
Incidentally, the remainder of this chapter deals with wicked rulers and
their followers.
WE
have been addressing leaders and have noted that God knows what is
happening, both good and bad.
We ought to take consolation in that.
I conclude with this admonition: DON’T forget where your TRUE
citizenship is – Philippians 3:20-21, 1 Peter 2:11 – we are sojourners
and pilgrims on this earth…
We
cannot control who is in a position of leadership (at least completely),
but we can act with wisdom as we deal with our rulers.
We do that by following God’s instructions as we have noted. We
may live in a wicked world, but we don’t have to live LIKE it! Have you
submitted to God? Think
about it!