MAY 29

Ecclesiastes 8:1-5
Memorise Romans 13:1
“The powers that be are ordained of God.”

Continuing in this section is Solomon’s advice concerning life. After his discourse on the importance of seeking after better things and seeking after wisdom, he now shifts his attention back to a theme that he had touched upon earlier - that of authorities. He remembers the injustice that he had witnessed, but yet at the same time he knew that submission to kings and authorities is indeed the will of God. Thus his advice is now with regards to how a believer ought to interact with the authority of human governments, and will later then compare that in light of our submission to the sovereign God.

Whilst Solomon ended the previous chapter with a section on the limitations of wisdom, he reminds us again that wisdom is indeed a good virtue to seek after. A wise man would be one who understands the interpretation or solution to any situation that he finds himself in, and would know how he ought to rightly conduct himself in his land, in his interaction with the human authorities that God has placed him under. It will make ‘his face to shine’, as how Moses’ did after he spoke with the LORD, in reflecting the glory and goodness of God.

Now Solomon comes to a new topic which he discusses, that is the subject of human government. In a way similar to Romans 13 and Titus 3, Solomon exhorts the people to keep the king’s commandment, and to view them as the oath of God. This means that we see our submission to authority as not to submit for submission’s sake, but to do so because in so doing we are obeying God. To ‘be not hasty to go out of his sight’ is to show respect, to stand before the presence of the king, and not show your dissatisfaction and ill-regard by turning your back on him.

Thus Solomon exhorts them to be respectful to the king or human authority that God has placed in the land, even though he does whatever he pleases, and often times they might be wrong or unrighteous acts. However note that if it is an evil thing that he does, and commands you to sin as well, in this instance we must not retreat but rather hold our ground, and make sure that our obedience to the king does not lead us into an evil thing.

Thought: When I submit to the government, I am submitting to God.
Prayer: Lord, help me to have the right healthy respect for all authorities around me.