Ecclesiastes 5 (4)

Pray Psalm 25.12.
Who is the man that fears the LORD?
Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.

Read Ecclesiastes 5.8, 9.

Prepare.
1. These verses touch on matters of authority and responsibility. How do you see that?

2. What does the land represent in verse 9? What did Solomon say about the land?

Meditate.
Emily Dickinson described the art of poetry as “telling the truth slant.” Solomon is a master of the form. So many of his remarks are directed at Rehoboam – his vision of what he will be and have when at last he is king – but they are also “glancing blows” and have enough of generality to them to have wider applications.

Look at these two verses like this: Verse 8 – How great is the king’s responsibility? Whatever goes wrong in distant jurisdictions ultimately comes back to him. Verse 9 – How then to ensure a good reign? Work for the good of all those in your sphere of influence. Realize that you, like the people you serve, are dependent on the Lord and His blessings, and do your best to be fair and generous.

To kings the message is: Don’t abuse your power. To the rest of us it’s: Keep the good of everyone in mind, and not just your own interest.

These verses continue in an “under heaven” mode, as Solomon is trying to get Rehoboam to think in a larger perspective than the merely self-interested one he seemed to be adopting. By writing to his son in this indirect manner, Solomon invited him to think carefully about his words. If Solomon were to confront his son directly – “Grow up, son! You’re living like a fool! – he might expect that, rather than listen attentively and with interest, Rehoboam would probably get defensive and resist his father’s counsel.

Solomon’s method of teaching is in many ways like that of the Lord Jesus Christ. When we have wisdom to dispense and truth to convey, it’s a good idea to find ways of helping people receive our words with interest, so that they will think about them carefully.

Reflect.
1. Why does oppression occur? Should the fact of oppression concern us as Christians? Explain.

2. When do justice and righteousness become a perversion? Is this an issue that should concern Christians?

3. The earth and everything in it belongs to the Lord (Ps. 24.1). What does this suggest about the things He entrusts to us?

If, he says, you see among people those on the one hand who are oppressed and those on the other who do wrong in judgment, and still others who practice justice, do not be amazed that this occurs as if there were no divine foresight. Rather, know that God guards everything through Christ... Evagrius of Pontus (345-399), Scholia on Ecclesiastes 38.5.7-11

I want to work my Personal Mission Field for the benefit of everyone today, especially as I…

Pray Psalm 25.10-13.
Seek the path of generosity, love, and patience for today. Seek the promises of God’s covenant, and walk in all His testimonies. Pray to be a blessing to everyone today.

Sing Psalm 25.10-13.
Psalm 25.10-13 (Festal Song: Revive Thy Work, O Lord)
The paths of God are all of love and faithfulness.
All they who keep His covenant the Lord will surely bless.

For Your sake, Lord, forgive.  All they who fear You, Lord,
shall know Your blessings day by day and follow in Your Word.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).