Part 1 of 2
In this article and the next, we will be considering Ecclesiastes 8:1-13 under the theme “Fearing king and God.”
Quite often, the more you know about something, the more you fear it or are frightened of it. Little children are often unafraid of fire or deep water or heights or certain insects and animals or strangers and so on, and parents need to instruct them about the potential dangers and hazards of these and many other things in life. It is as we learn more about what these things can potentially do to us and about our own limitations, that we develop a healthy fear of them.
This passage in Ecclesiastes is about fearing the king and fearing God. Verses 2-5 deal with the first while verses 6-13 with the second. And these two are related as we shall see.
But the chapter begins at verse 1, which says, “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.”
This verse provides an introduction to this section. Solomon raises two questions concerning the wise. He asks if anyone is like a wise man and if anyone knows how to interpret a matter. The implication is that such a person is very rare.
The second part of verse 1 says that wisdom makes a man’s face shine and it causes his stern expression to be changed. In other words, wisdom brings a shine and a smile to the face of the man, woman or child who has it. Wisdom brings true joy to the person and such joy is reflected on his face.
Solomon then goes on to give us two particular examples of wisdom in the verses that follow. First, the wise person is the one who fears the king, and second, the wise person is the one who fears God.
Fearing the king (vv. 2-5)
Verse 2, “I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.” This is Solomon’s counsel to the person who would be wise. He is to keep the king’s commandment. This is required of every citizen of the land and especially of Christian citizens. We are to render honour and obedience to our civil authorities, whoever they may be.
The phrase “and that in regard of the oath of God” connects obedience to the king with one’s oath before God. Apparently, there was some kind of pledge of allegiance in ancient Israel in which the Israelites made a formal declaration before God that they would be loyal to their king. The king, after all, was ordained by God and served as a mediator between God and the people.
But regardless of whether any formal pledge or oath was taken, all men are required, by God, to submit to their king or civil authority. This solemn obligation is still binding on everyone today. It is part of the fifth commandment.
All legitimate authority ultimately traces back to God, and so to despise any God-ordained authority is to despise God Himself, and make one liable to God’s judgment.
But this link between one’s obedience to the king and one’s oath to God also reminds us that God is above or higher than the king. The king’s right to our obedience is by no means absolute. Rather, it is limited by obligation to God. Only God can claim the right to absolute obedience. Earthly kings and authorities cannot.
Solomon goes on to say in verse 3, “Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing;” To be hasty to go out of his sight means to be in a hurry to leave his presence. Don’t do that. Why? Because that would be a sign of disrespect and a lack of fear for the king.
Remember that Solomon was himself a king and so he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to the proper behaviour in the king’s presence. The phrase “stand not in an evil thing” probably means arguing with the king or stubbornly standing up for or insisting on something that the king disapproves of.
Now there is nothing wrong with expressing a different viewpoint or opinion from that of the king. And the wise king will do well to listen to any alternative viewpoints his people might have. But Solomon’s point is this – don’t keep pushing your idea or your point when the king has already heard and rejected it. Don’t antagonize the king by your stubbornness and refusal to yield.
Solomon goes on to give two reasons why we should fear the king. First, because he is the sovereign in the land. “for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.” Ultimately, it is his desires and his will that is going to be accomplished, not yours. Verse 4 adds, “Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?” The king’s word is powerful. Under normal circumstances, no one can oppose him. His word will prevail and he is answerable to no man in the land.
It is pointless and futile to question his decisions and to champion a cause that is contrary to his will. Don’t be foolish. Don’t do that. Instead, just do as he says. Go with the king’s wishes; submit to his will, even if you don’t agree with it or like it.
The second reason Solomon gives for fearing the king is found in the first part of verse 5, “Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing.” Not only is it pointless to oppose the king, but it is dangerous to do so. People are safe if they obey the royal command and decree, and those who do so will avoid unhappy consequences.
Now of course, we’re talking about obeying and submitting to the king in things which are not sinful in themselves. There are basically only two situations in which we may legitimately disobey or refuse to submit to the authorities. The first is when they command us to do what God does not allow, while the second is when they command us to refrain from doing what God requires or commands.
The book of Daniel, in chapters 3 and 6, provides us an example of both these instances. But apart from these two situations, the Christian should not disobey or refuse to submit to the authorities, regardless of whether he agrees with or likes what they require him to do or not.
The last part of verse 5 says, “and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.” This means that the wise person will have the discernment to know the proper timing and the proper way to act and speak. There is a proper time and proper procedure for everything, and the wise person will act appropriately and accordingly. In short, he will know what to do, how to do it and when to do it.
This is especially so in his dealings with the king or the civil authorities. And this is very much part of fearing the king. If you fear the king, you will remember who he is and who you are. You will be careful to find out what pleases or displeases the king. You will avoid offending him by your foolish actions and words. And you will exercise patience and self-control, and not act hastily or unadvisedly before him.
So the first example of wisdom is the fear of the king. Fools do not fear the king or they fear the king for the wrong reasons. The Christian, in contrast, fears the king, ultimately, because of his fear of God and his commitment to the word of God. This brings us to the next section on fearing God, which we will consider next time.