Abuse of Authority

Continuing our study of Ecclesiastes…

Eccl. 5:8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

Solomon now makes another troubling observation. You shouldn’t be surprised when you see the poor being unjustly treated and robbed of justice under the ruling authorities. You should remember that every ruler is subject to a higher authority, and the highest authority is God. They may think they are getting away with their actions, but God will intercede for His own.

Our problem with this truth is that God doesn’t seem to act according to our expectations most of the time. We don’t understand why the wicked seem to get away with their evil deeds and even seem to prosper in the process. We don’t see the evidence of God’s provision for the poor. Again, it is a matter of seeing through God’s eyes. God is always acting so as to humble the sinner before Him in repentance and faith and to purify the believer through the trials He allows in his/her life to strengthen their faith and effectiveness in ministry.

Eccl. 5:9 ¶ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.

It’s always interesting to read the different translations. The NIV and NLT seem to make a direct connection to the preceding verse as painting a picture of unfair taxation, and the king benefits the most from the labor of the poor who barely get by. The CJB considers this a statement regarding the benefit of having a king who uses his position to the benefit of his kingdom.

The truth is that society will always be a composite of people at different levels—the workforce at all levels (from the lowest level employee to the top level of employers) and those occupying the different levels of government that culminate in the highest recognized authority. Because man is sinful and the root sin is pride, there will always be those who abuse their position (at whatever level). When a people are blessed to have a ruler that fears God, they will benefit from his integrity and righteous judgments; when the ruling authority has no fear of God, the people will suffer according to his leadership as defined by his character.