Apr 26, 2020
Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 8:1-9
Ecclesiastes 8:1 is something of a theme verse for the several verses which follow. A wise person lives life well. He understands issues because he possesses an ability to discern matters clearly. His eyes flash intelligence. Solomon says that you can almost see his wisdom in his face.
Ecclesiastes 8:2-8 describe what this wisdom looks like in life situations. In simple terms, the wise person obeys the king, or, if you will, the laws of the land. "Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and a wise heart will know the proper time and the just way" (Ecc 8:5).
The reasons for civil obedience given here are the same reasons we find in Romans 13 … (1) it is honoring to God (Ecc 8:2; cf. Rom 13:2), and, (2) it is prudent, given the king's authority (Ecc 8:3-5; cf. Rom 13:4).
Although governments and authorities do not always do the will of God, they are all appointed by God (Rom 13:1). There are times, of course, when civil disobedience is the proper response of a Christian to his government. When an authority commands what God has forbidden or forbids what God has commanded, then not only may a Christian disobey the government, he must disobey. There are multiple Biblical illustrations of such righteous civil disobedience (e.g. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Peter, Paul).