God-Ordained Authority

Eccl. 8:1 ¶ Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

Solomon is basically saying that knowledge and wisdom are reflected in one’s countenance. It made me think of sitting in class and being eager to be called on with my hand waving in the air, or slinking lower in the seat hoping not to catch the teacher’s attention. Solomon makes the comparison of a shining face and a strong, hardened countenance (from the Hebrew for bold).

Eccl. 8:2-5 I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou? Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.

It’s interesting that as king, Solomon is giving counsel to obey the king’s commands. The wording also seems to indicate that the people gave an oath to obey the king at his inauguration. The reference to doing evil seems to be in context with acting in disobedience to the king’s commands. The inference seems to be that one who is eager to get out of sight of the king is up to no good and should fear reprisal from the king, who is the absolute authority; no one can challenge his authority. Those, however, who obey the commands of the king have nothing to fear.

The NLT is the only translation that made sense with the last clause: Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right.

I also liked Adam Clarke’s comments on this section: “It is a matter of great importance to be able to discern WHEN and HOW both to speak and act; but when time and manner are both determined, the matter comes next. WHAT shall I speak? WHAT shall I do? When, how, and what, answer to time, manner, and matter. To discern all these, and act suitably, is a lesson for a philosopher, and a study for a Christian.”

I think these words are especially applicable to the political atmosphere in America today. We, as Christians, need to remember that the authority of the government is ordained by God.

Romans 13:1-2 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”

Every time we say the Pledge of Allegiance we are declaring our support of the government of the United States of America. It’s obvious that we are not always going to like the dictates that issue from our government through any of its branches—executive, legislative or judicial. We are free to exercise our voice through voting and public discourse within legal parameters. As Christians, however, we should always keep in mind that the only acceptable reason before God for disobeying the dictates of our government is if they require us to disobey God’s authority as set forth in His word.

Acts 5:29 “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”

I never really thought it would get to that point in my lifetime, but I am afraid that we who claim Jesus as our Lord and Savior and His word as our authority may be confronted with making such a stand sooner rather than later.