Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Ecclesiastes 8:2-8a
I say: 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?” 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. For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be? No man has 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. (ESV)
by Dale E. Rood
Recognize the authority structure under which you live, and submit to it in an appropriate way. Solomon is not saying that we should never question the decisions of a king or of the authority under which we live. What he is saying is that we must count the cost of doing so very carefully. Yes, there are times we need to stand up for what is right even against absolute authority, but make sure that what you “stand up for” is not a “bad cause”. (v. 3) Also be realistic in the causes you support. There is no sense in trying to postpone the inevitable. (vv. 7-8a)
Copyright Information
Daily Bible Meditations are taken from The Helping Hand,a Sabbath School student quarterly for youth and adults. Copyright © 2008, Seventh Day Baptist Board of Christian Education, Inc.
Scripture quotations marked "ESV" are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service .
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