Ecclesiastes 8 (2)

Pray Psalm 116.16, 17.
O LORD, truly I am Your servant;
I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant;
You have loosed my bonds.
I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call upon the name of the LORD.

Read Ecclesiastes 8.2-4.

Prepare.
1. What was the “oath to God”? What did that oath suggest about the king?

2. Why is it important to respect kings and other civil rulers?

Meditate.
Solomon returns to a more “objective” perspective. He was, after all, the king. All his subjects owed allegiance to him, “because of God’s oath” (as the Hebrew actually reads – whether God’s oath to the king about his rule, or the people’s oath to God of obedience, is not clear). That is, their loyalty to God demanded obedience to the king in the Lord. If the king’s “commandment” went beyond the requirements of God’s oath, then obedience was not required. Indeed, disobedience may have been in order.

Because he was also Rehoboam’s father, Solomon might have been thinking that his son was beginning to lose sight of who was talking with him. Solomon amassed an impressive record as king of Israel (1 Kgs. 10); he was no one to be trifled with. The king who honors God is to be revered, honored, and obeyed; they who contrive to go against his will can expect to know trouble.

Did Rehoboam see his recalcitrance and flippancy as a form of rebellion? If not, he should have. Is there a hint in this verse that Solomon might anoint someone other than Rehoboam to succeed him (“he does whatever pleases him”, v. 3? Is it a veiled threat? It sounds at least like a suggestion. The message is clear: If you’re planning to flout the king’s will and take advantage of his largesse, things might not work out like you hope.

Of course, in the larger, “under heaven”, perspective, Solomon’s words are even more true – and menacing. Rebellious men need to know that their persistence in sinful ways is an affront to almighty God, the eternal King. Men might think they can ignore His will, reject His bidding, and pursue their own sinful ways with impunity. But the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress His truth under lives of wickedness (Rom. 1.18ff.).

Sometimes our witness needs to include the warning that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Heb. 10.31).

Reflect.
1. Paul says that government is God’s servant for good (Rom. 13.1-4). In what sense is this true?

2. Solomon actually commands us to guard the king’s commandment. How should believers do that today?   

3. How can believers today work to help our various governments fulfill their God-appointed calling?

Subjects are obligated by an oath of allegiance to render their obedience to “the powers that be” (Rom. 13:1–5). not … stand for an evil thing: Even before a king, evil is to be resisted (Acts 5:29). Earl Radmacher (1931-2014), NKJV Study Notes

Today, Lord, I pray for those who are in government, that they might…

Pray Psalm 116.15-19.
Remember those great saints – like Solomon – whose lives and teaching have been of particular benefit to you. Renew your vows to be loyal to God in all things, and give Him thanks for His many blessings.

Sing Psalm 116.15-19.
Psalm 116.15-19 (Mit Freuden Zart: All Praise to God Who Reigns Above)
How sweet to Him when saints depart – save me, Your servant, Savior!
From sin You loosed my wand’ring heart; I praise Your Name forever!
On You I call, my vows to pay; here in Your presence I would stay
Your praise to offer ever.

T. M. Moore

What is the Christian’s duty toward civil government? Our book, The King’s Heart, explains how you can fulfill your calling to help government officials fulfill theirs. Order your copy by clicking here.

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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).