Series: Ecclesiastes
Sermons #23-25:
Wisdom Makes a Difference
Ecclesiastes
8:1-14
Part Two, Sermon
#24: The Word of the King
Ecclesiastes
8:2-9
[Audio file from Internet Archive at https://archive.org/details/Ecclesiastes82-9.]
1 Who is as the
wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh
his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. 2 I counsel
thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. 3
Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth
whatsoever pleaseth him. 4 Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who
may say unto him, What doest thou? 5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel
no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment. 6
Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of
man is great upon him. 7 For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can
tell him when it shall be? 8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to
retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no
discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to
it. 9 All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done
under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own
hurt. 10 And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place
of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this
is also vanity. 11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed
speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do
evil. 12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged,
yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear
before him: 13 But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he
prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. 14
There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto
whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked
men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that
this also is vanity.
Introduction:
These fourteen verses bring us up to the conclusion of the third
major section of the book of Ecclesiastes in 8:15. This third section began
with 6:1. The first section ended with the conclusion of 2:24-26, and the
second section concluded with 5:18-20.
“The most satisfactory division is,
in our judgment, that into four parts, which was proposed by Vaihinger in the,
“Studien und Kritiken,” for 1848, and
has since been adopted by Keil
and others. It is a modification of
that of Ewald, (whom Heiligstedt
follows,) which is itself an improvement upon that of J Koster, all of whom
assume the same number of sections. "His scheme is the following, viz.
I. i. 2-ii. 26.
II. iii. 1-v. 20.
III. vi. 1-viii. 15.
IV. viii. 16-xii. 14.”
— William Henry Green, “Scope and Plan of the Book of Ecclesiastes,” Biblical Reparatory and Princeton Review
29 (1857), pp. 419-40; on Gordon Faculty
Online at http://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/Ted_Hildebrandt/OTeSources/21-Ecclesiastes/Text/Articles/Green-ScopeofEccl-1857.pdf [accessed 7 NOV 2015].[1]
The conclusions of the four major
sections of Ecclesiastes are as follows:
2:24-26 — 24 There is nothing
better for a man, than that he should
eat and drink, and that he should
make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. 25 For
who can eat, or who else can hasten
hereunto, more than I? 26 For
God giveth to a man that is good
in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth
travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
5:18-20 — 18 Behold that which I have seen: it
is good and comely for one to eat
and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the
sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. 19 Every man also to whom God hath
given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take
his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. 20 For he shall not much remember
the days of his life; because God answereth
him in the joy of his heart.
8:15 — Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under
the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with
him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
12:8-14 — 8 Vanity
of vanities, saith the preacher; all is
vanity. 9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still
taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. 10
The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was
upright, even words of truth. 11
The words of the wise are as
goads, and as nails fastened by the
masters of assemblies, which are
given from one shepherd. 12 And further, by these, my son, be
admonished: of making many books there is
no end; and much study is a weariness
of the flesh. 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of
man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every
secret thing, whether it be good, or
whether it be evil.
This last section conclusion also
serves as the epilogue of the entire book.
J. Sidlow Baxter refers to the
first three as Ad Interim Conclusions,
distinguishing them from the last which he calls the Final Conclusion.
— J. Sidlow Baxter, Explore The Book: A Basic and Broadly
Interpretive Course of Bible Study from Genesis to Revelation, 6 vols. in 1
ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, n.d., 1960 printing), 3:148.
Outline:
I. The Face of the Wise (8:1)
II. The Word of the King (8:2-9)
III. The End of the Wicked (8:10-14)
Transition:
The plan is to deal with these fourteen verses in three
sermons, rather than one. Part One already dealt with the first verse. If we
were to insert the title of this three part sermon series on these verses into the
points of the outline it would come out like this:
I. Wisdom Makes a Difference in the Face of the Wise
(8:1)
II. Wisdom Makes a Difference towards the Word of the
King (8:2-9)
III. Wisdom Makes a Difference regarding the End of the
Wicked (8:10-14)
For now, as Part Two, let us limit our consideration to
how “Wisdom Makes a Difference towards the Word of the King.”
II. The Word of the King (8:2-9)
2 I counsel thee
to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. 3 Be not
hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth
whatsoever pleaseth him. 4 Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who
may say unto him, What doest thou? 5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel
no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment. 6
Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of
man is great upon him. 7 For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can
tell him when it shall be? 8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to
retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no
discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to
it. 9 All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under
the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.
Wisdom Makes a Difference towards the Word of the King
1. The Wisdom of Submission (8:2-7)
2. The Limitation of Human Power (8:8)
3. The Reality of Harmful Rule (8:9)
1. The Wisdom of Submission (8:2-7)
1) How to Submit to the Higher Powers (8:2-3b)
2) Why to Submit to the Higher Powers (8:3c-7)
1) How to Submit
to the Higher Powers (8:2-3b)
2 I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that
in regard of the oath of God. 3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not
in an evil thing;
(1) Obedience (8:2)
(2) Patience (8:3a-b)
(1) Obedience
(8:2)
Ex. 22:11 — Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them
both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner
of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good.
2 Sam. 21:7 — But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son
of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD's oath that was between them,
between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
Ezek. 17:18 — Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant,
when, lo, he had given his hand, and hath done all these things, he shall not
escape.
1 Ki. 2:43 — Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the
LORD, and the commandment that I have charged thee with?
2 Chr. 36:13 — And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by
God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the
LORD God of Israel.
1 Chr. 29:24 — And all the princes, and the mighty men,
and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted
themselves unto Solomon the king.
Rom. 13:5 — Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience
sake. (13:1-7)
Tit. 3:1 — Put them in mind to be subject to
principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
1 Pet. 2:13-18 — 13 Submit yourselves to every
ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14
Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of
evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the
will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of
foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of
maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17 Honour all men. Love
the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 18 Servants, be subject
to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the
froward. 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward
God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
(2) Patience
(8:3a-b)
Eccl. 10:4 — If the spirit of the ruler rise up against
thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
2) Why to Submit
to the Higher Powers (8:3c-7)
for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. 4 Where the word of
a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou? 5 Whoso
keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart
discerneth both time and judgment. 6 Because to every purpose there is time and
judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him. 7 For he knoweth not
that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
(1) The Power of the King (8:3c-4)
(2) The Penalty for Disobedience (8:5a)
(3) The Timing of Wisdom (8:5b-6)
(4) The Ignorance of the Future (8:7)
(1) The Power of
the King (8:3c-4)
The power of earthly kings including the kings of Israel is
limited, and not absolute. Earthly sovereigns answer to God as the absolutely sovereign
ruler of His creation.
Job 9:12 — [Job to Bildad] Behold, he taketh away, who
can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?
Dan. 4:35 — And all the inhabitants of the earth are
reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven,
and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What
doest thou?
1 Sam. 13:9-14 — 9 And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt
offering to me, and peace offerings. And
he offered the burnt offering. 10 And it came to pass, that as soon as he had
made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went
out to meet him, that he might salute him. 11 And Samuel said, What hast thou
done? And Saul said, Because I saw that
the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days
appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;
12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and
I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and
offered a burnt offering. 13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly:
thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded
thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after
his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people,
because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
Is. 45:9 — Woe unto him that striveth with his
Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the
potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay
say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?
Nevertheless, the question must be asked:
Job 34:18 — Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art
wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?
(2) The Penalty
for Disobedience (8:5a)
Eccl. 12:13 — Let us hear the conclusion of the whole
matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Pr. 12:21 — There shall no evil happen to the just: but
the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
Note the poetic formatting of the NIV in vv. 5-8.
(3) The Timing of
Wisdom (8:5b-6)
(4) The Ignorance
of the Future (8:7)
2. The Limitation of Human Power (8:8)
8 There is no man
that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in
the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall
wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
Note again the poetic formatting of vv. 5-8 in the NIV
1) No power over
the spirit
2) No power in the
day of death
3) No discharge in
that war
4) No deliverance
by wickedness
3. The Reality of Harmful Rule (8:9)
9 All this have I
seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is
a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.
Viewed
Studied
Comprehensive
“under the sun”
Which way should the last half of this compound sentence be
understood? Specifically, is the one harmed the ruler or the ruled (the
“rulee”), i.e., what is the
antecedent of the third person possessive pronoun “his”?
[Sermon preached 17 APR 2016 by Pastor John T. “Jack”
Jeffery at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown, PA.]
Complete Outline:
1. The Wisdom of Submission (8:2-7)
1) How to Submit to the Higher
Powers (8:2-3b)
(1) Obedience (8:2)
(2) Patience (8:3a-b)
2) Why to Submit to the Higher
Powers (8:3c-7)
(1) The Power of the King
(8:3c-4)
(2) The Penalty for
Disobedience (8:5a)
(3) The Timing of Wisdom
(8:5b-6)
(4) The Ignorance of the Future
(8:7)
2. The Limitation of Human Power (8:8)
3. The Reality of Harmful Rule (8:9)
Notes:
[1] Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. inexplicably refers to this as
an “unsigned article” on at least two occasions in his commentary despite the
facts that: 1) William Henry Green is clearly indicated as the author under the
title on the first page of the article (pg. 419), and 2) one of his own faculty
members (Ted Hildebrandt) has posted the article on the school’s web site where
Kaiser has served as both a faculty member and as President. Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., Ecclesiastes:
Total Life, in Everyman’s Bible Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1979);
and Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., Coping With Change: Ecclesiastes (Fearn, Roth-shire, Scotland:
Christian Focus, 2013).
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