BEFORE TWO OPINIONS

 

Ecclesiastes 8:1-9

BEFORE TWO OPINIONS

    Every Christian is called to be a law – abiding citizen and to respond to godly policies of government. This included payment of taxes and obedience to certain policies which can even negates our views. From scripture, the writer makes reference to the king and the ruler. There are several references to the one in charge –

“the command of the king” (v. 2);

“the word of the king is authoritative” (v. 4);

“he who keeps the royal command” (v. 5);

“a man has exercised authority over another" (v. 9).

The scripture makes mention of the minister or the officer or the attendant in the royal court who has the obligation to hear and execute the ruler’s commands. In almost every condition, there is the one in charge and the one who must follow the command.

                Looking at the scripture, you will find that kings had almost unlimited power: the power of life and death. In Joseph’s world there was Pharaoh; In Daniel’s world there was Nebuchadnezzar; in Nehemiah’s world there was Cyprus. All these dealt with difficult bosses, but they all exercised enormous wisdom. What happens when a king gives an order that is neither just nor wise? What happens when a king orders a servant to do evil? This is when wisdom is needed most! Our options include:

1.    Don’t do it (disobey)

2.    Desert it (runaway);

3.    Defy it;

4.    Discernment. Like Joseph, like Nehemiah, we need wisdom.

 

PRAYER: Lord make us disciplined and submissive to Your authority in our King and to those whom You have appointed to lead us.