8 Who is like the wise man and who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man’s wisdom illumines [a]him and causes his stern face to [b]beam.
2 I say, “Keep the [c]command of the king because of the oath [d]before God. 3 Do not be in a hurry [e]to leave him. Do not join in an evil matter, for he will do whatever he pleases.” 4 Since the word of the king is authoritative, who will say to him, “What are you doing?”
5 He who keeps a royal command experiences no [f]trouble, for a wise heart knows the proper time and procedure. 6 For there is a proper time and procedure for every delight, though a man’s trouble is heavy upon him. 7 If no one knows what will happen, who can tell him when it will happen? 8 No man has authority to restrain the wind with the wind, or authority over the day of death; and there is no discharge in the time of war, and evil will not deliver [g]those who practice it. 9 All this I have seen and applied my [h]mind to every deed that has been done under the sun wherein a man has exercised authority over another man to his hurt.
This passage has a bit of a double-meaning, and we may get to that, but lets look at the literal first. Solomon instructs us in how we should deal with authority, and even discusses those who “exercise authority over another man to his hurt.” Even though Solomon is speaking of kings, it isn’t much of a stretch to apply this to our own government(s).
Even today, Solomon would likely tell us, just as Paul later wrote in Romans 13, “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities.” If you’re not familiar with the passage, it’s worth a quick read, as it has very similar instructions to those living under the Roman empire, with plenty of its own corruption.
One of the most important bits is in v. 2, where Solomon implies that God has placed the king in authority. In Romans, Paul comes right out and says it, “For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” Plenty of groups have decided to thumb their nose at authority, both in our country, and throughout history (v. 3). It rarely ends well for them, unless they are directly fighting oppression and for the rights of their fellow man.
With that in mind, the double-meaning becomes more apparent in verses 4 & 7. Not only do these words apply to earthly governments, but they can very easily be applied to serving God. Can we question what is God doing? Well sure, we can… but is he obligated to answer, any more than those in authority over us?
Truly, no one knows what will happen, even those in power today. They are all vying for this program, or that funding, negotiating, debating, etc. Even an earthly king might make his plans, but cannot control his subjects, and things might go his way, or not. So what then, do we just give up? In our country at least, we have the privilege to participate in our government, even run for office, and help to work for the good of our fellow man.
Even as I say that, the reality of God’s way shines through. We are not on this earth to be served. Just as Jesus came to serve, we were put here to serve. If our motivation is our own gain, we’re likely to fall flat on our faces–spiritually, financially, politically, pretty much anywhere. Instead, have this heart, have His heart, that you serve as He did, even laying his life down. Easier said then done, but oh so worth it!