Sunday, March 3, 2019 pm
STUDIES IN ECCLESIASTES
(8)
The Vanity of Dominion
Ecclesiastes 2:7
As
we continue our study of Ecclesiastes, we are finding how Solomon found
vanity in all earthly pursuits.
We have addressed – laughter & mirth, wine & substances, and
luxury and recreation.
Today, as we continue, we want to talk about having servant and the
vanity of dominion.
a.
Dominion – to exercise
authority over, or to rule over.
b.
God has given man
dominion over His creation – Genesis 1:26-28.
c.
But with dominion comes
a level of power or authority, and responsibility.
Genesis 2:15, when Adam was put in the garden of Eden, he was to tend
and keep it. There were
rules he was expected to follow.
We must never forget that this creation is here for our
enjoyment, but also we are called upon to take care of it (while
understanding it is here for our use).
Luke 12:48 tells us that to whom much is given, from him much will be
required…
d.
But many today are
consumed with power and dominion over others.
They take pleasure in oppressing
a.
Slavery is an unpleasant
and difficult Biblical topic, but it is something we need to address.
The Bible’s teaching about slavery is a basis for its rejection
by some today. Because we
find it mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, it needs to be
addressed. Here we will
briefly mention a few thoughts.
A more in-depth study can be made at a later time (including our
upcoming class on evidences)..
i.
Slavery was a part of
cultures and lands in Bible times.
We find information about slavery in the Babylonian, Egyptian,
Assyrian and even Roman Empire (where it is estimated there was more
than 50 million slaves in the empire).
The children of Israel became slaves in Egypt when an ungodly
Pharaoh arose.
ii.
In these empires, slaves
were treated as nothing more than property to be used and abused at
will. They had no rights at
times (though in time, some empires began to grant some rights).
iii.
Because of this, it was
regulated in the Bible. Most
slavery under the LOM, was the result of defeated nations (spoils of
battle), or indentured servants (one who sold himself as a way to
provide for family, etc., or the result of debt.
iv.
As you study the Bible,
it is reasonable to conclude that God never intended for men to be
treated as property. But,
because of culture, it was tolerated and regulated.
v.
But under the LOM,
slaves were not mere pieces of property.
They had rights and were to be treated as part of one’s
household, especially their brethren.
Examples of regulations include:
1.
Leviticus 25:43 – not to
be ruled over with rigor (harshness), but with the fear of God.
2.
Deuteronomy 23:15-16 –
an escaped slave was not to be returned to his master, but was permitted
to dwell with the one they escaped to.
Nor were they to be oppressed
3.
Deuteronomy 23:17 –
there was to be no “ritual harlots” of the daughters of Israel.
4.
Exodus 21:16 –
kidnapping a man and selling him as a slave brought the death penalty
(this is akin to the type of slavery in early American history).
5.
Exodus 21:20-21 –
punishment for beating a servant to death
6.
Exodus 21:26-27 – to
strike a servant so that he loses his/her eye or tooth, they were to be
set free. This show
that they were to be treated humanely
7.
Exodus 20:10 – on the
Sabbath, they were to rest, and were not permitted to work..
8.
We do not understand all
the details behind this, thus we need to be careful in passing judgment
on the character of God.
vi.
In the NT, again slavery
was acknowledged (because it was part of the Roman Empire), but it is
clear that it was NOT preferred.
This is seen by numerous instructions given.
1.
The book of Philemon –
Onesimus was an escaped slave, return to Philemon his master, now as a
brother and urged to be accepted as such.
2.
1 Corinthians 12:13,
Galatians 3:27-28 – we are all baptized into one body, whether slave or
free – to be treated equally before God.
NOT as property.
3.
1 Corinthians 7:20-24 –
the call to remain in the calling (state) that you were called.
Vs. 21 – notes that if you are a slave, don’t be concerned about
it, BUT if you can be made free,
rather use it.
4.
Ephesians 6:5-9,
Regulations for both masters and slaves bear out the humane treatment
expected as Christians. This
was in stark contrast to Roman regulations about their slaves.
5.
Colossians 4:1, masters
were to treat their bondservants with what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven (to whom you will
answer – TT),
6.
And do not forget the
analogy of slavery to sin and Satan as evil and slavery to God (as a
benevolent Master) contrasted. And lest you balk at that, consider that
we are actually His children and heirs.
7.
In NT times, the hope
was that in time, slavery would be done away with.
When men learned to treat each other as they should, it would be.
8.
Slavery is NOT the way
of God.
vii.
But in our text, Solomon
acquired slaves, both to work his house and for entertainment (vs. 8),
but his conclusion was that such is vanity.
b.
But, there is also the
concept of servants, where one has the resources to hire one to tend to
personal needs. While not
wrong within itself, and perhaps even a good thing, such can lend to
ungodly attitudes.
i.
It can lead to pride - The Biblical concept of humility defeats this attitude – Romans 12:3,
Ephesians 6:9 & Colossians 4:1 where masters are to treat their
bondservants justly and fair, because “you
also have a Master in heaven.”
ii.
Often, leaders and the
successful in society have a tendency to look down upon others and view
those who are “under” them as inferior.
Racism is an example of this (Matthew 7:1-5), and so is looking down on
the poor (James 2:1-9 – this is class conflict).
iii.
Psalm 10:2-11 – the wicked oppresses the poor.
Psalm 73:5-8
Proverbs 14:31, He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he
who honors Him has mercy on the needy.
Ecclesiastes 5:8,
If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent
perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at
the matter; for high official watches over high official, and higher
officials are over them.
iv.
We are to be compassionate – James 1:27, cf. Matthew 25:31-46.
Often the affluent are not.
They look down upon and despise the poor.
Isaiah 3:14-15, What do you mean
by crushing My people And grinding the faces of the poor?” Says the Lord
God of hosts. One of many passages from the prophets noting their
condemnation.
Matthew 23:14 – Jesus condemned the scribes and Pharisees because of
this.
Proverbs 14:31, He who oppresses
the poor, reproaches his Maker.
But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.
v.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
summarizes the attitude of the wealthy.
c.
I believe this is what
Solomon was addressing in this verse. Solomon
may not have been looking down on anyone, but there are many with wealth
that do. And he had at his
disposal whatever he wanted, and he used it – power, money and fame to
seek meaning, but found none in that.
Like everything else, it was vanity.
In
this lesson, we are again reminded that putting our ultimate trust in
this life is vanity. Solomon
had the means and he looked everywhere.
His conclusion was right.
What is our conclusion as we search for meaning?
Think about it.