There is no doubt that we all need wisdom regarding submitting to authority. In Ecclesiastes 8:2-4, Solomon’s exhortation is to “Keep the king's command, because of God's oath to him. Be not hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases. For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, ‘What are you doing?’” In the strict context of these verses, they were meant to be applied to life in the royal court in the palace of Israel. But by extension, we may apply these verses to all governmental authority and even to God-appointed authority above us.
But what should we do when we do not agree with the authority? In verse 3 the counsel is not to walk away from it hastily because of God’s oath to him. One may argue that ours is a secular government and ask “What part does God have in it?” Remember, we said that God is in sovereign control over every affair of man. Knowingly or unknowingly, every person who takes authority only does so as God allows it. It is true that people in authority may or may not exercise their power in a godly way. When their ways are ungodly, there is the temptation to rebel and oppose them. Verse 3 also says, “…Do not take your stand in an evil cause….” As believers, we should overcome evil intention with godliness. We should never let our unhappiness to become ungodly rebellion. Always bear in mind that all authority in place has the right to rule. We obey so long as they do not blatantly contradict God’s commands. We must not let our good witness be evil spoken of. To obey earthly authority has God’s blessing. When we learn to submit to authority we keep harm at arm’s length. This is how a good and loyal citizen should respond.
While earthly authority is God-ordained and meant to be exercised discreetly, it had often been abused. In fact, Solomon’s observation clearly said that earthly authority is often abused. His exact expression in verse 9 is, “All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun when man had power over man to his hurt.” Since there is a possibility of abuse by people in authority, what must we do? The answer is suggested by verses 5-6 that remind us to exercise prudence, submit and obey. Solomon said, “Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. For there is a time and a way for everything, although man's trouble lies heavy on him.” Solomon reminds us that there is a divine schedule in God’s timetable. Everything will fall into place according to His schedule. While we may not see the trouble ahead of us, there is a season for everything. Take the wise counsel of the Apostle Paul given in 1 Timothy 2:1-2 to heart. He said, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way”
Ecclesiastes 8:7-8 say, “For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be? No man has the power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it.” These verses remind us that we cannot tell the future and none of us knows what tomorrow holds. And none of us know when we will die although death is a certainty. We certainly do not control our destiny. How then should we live? As believers, we must always connect to Jesus. And be mindful of passages in the Bible that call us to wisely relate with governmental authority. In 1 Peter 2:13-14, the apostle tells us to “Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.” In Romans 13:1-2, the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to Christians is, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” Let’s submit to God first and foremost, and then to the authority, He had placed over us!
Ecclesiastes 8:7-8 say, “For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be? No man has the power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it.” These verses remind us that we cannot tell the future and none of us knows what tomorrow holds. And none of us know when we will die although death is a certainty. We certainly do not control our destiny. How then should we live? As believers, we must always connect to Jesus. And be mindful of passages in the Bible that call us to wisely relate with governmental authority. In 1 Peter 2:13-14, the apostle tells us to “Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.” In Romans 13:1-2, the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to Christians is, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” Let’s submit to God first and foremost, and then to the authority, He had placed over us!
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