Ecclesiastes 8:1-9

" Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed. 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. 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." (Ecclesiastes 8:1-9, ESV)

Following the Preacher is a bit like riding a roller coaster. Just when you think he is climbing the heights into profound wisdom he comes hurdling down with more melancholic musings. He begins here with a couple of questions. The message is that wisdom is of the greatest worth. It has the potential to transform misery into joy. One problem. How do you get it? Who is wise and who knows what’s going on?

So the Preacher offers up some minimalist moralisms. In other words, this advice sounds a bit like, “Life is lousy, but here is what you do to get by.” And the primary way to get by in the ancient context is not to disturb the king. King’s carried the authority of God (8:2). Don’t oppose him, don’t question him, and just lay low. Do your best to do what he says. If you apply all the wisdom you have, you can figure out how to obey the king’s instructions in a just and proper manner. The picture seems to be of a king who has given unethical or unjust orders, but the servant figures out how to obey the king in an ethical and just manner.

However, do not think the Preacher fails to see the unfairness of the absolute rule of kings. Great misery and injustice are caused by them, which leads to his complaint about “when man had the power over man to his hurt.” That is, he laments a man, a king, whose will controls other men often to their hurt. Ancient kings were constantly embroiled in war over land and power, and men were sent to their death in order to fulfill the lust of their king. So what do you do as a soldier? You are being sent to your death, and there is no escape. Discharge is not going to happen, at least not in the middle of the battle. Wickedness and treachery will not deliver you. You must simply carry out your orders with as much justice as is possible.

The Preacher pictures a pretty miserable situation, but it was the situation in which many lived in the his day. And many still live it in today. It is a result of a broken and messed up world. Men have power over other men, but the men who have power are as corrupt as all other men. There is no way to change it. You just do the best you can. As Christians this reality leads us to thirsting for the day when One will reign over all, and he will reign with perfect righteousness and justice for the good of his subjects.