The Book Of Ecclesiastes Pt. 34 Obey God First, Then Obey Rulers.

I want to continue our study through the book of Ecclesiastes, even as we study John 13 through 17.

King Solomon has much to say to us about how empty life is when we live it without God. We will pick up where we left off in Ecclesiastes 8.

Obey civil authorities because that is God's plan.

Ecclesiastes  8:2  I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. 

Ecclesiastes 8:6-9  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. 

This chapter begins with Solomon advising us to obey the king (or those who rule over us) because he has power to enforce his will on others.

A king has power and an average citizen does not. Judgment and misery will fall on those who disobey their king.

Solomon concludes this section by reminding us that a ruler over us may be morally bad, and those who believe in God, may be persecuted. Certainly history bears witness to this. 

Some American Christians reject the idea that God tells us to submit to authorities over us. 

As a result, many Pastors who complied with government health mandates during COVID, suffered greatly. Yet, they complied on the basis of what God tells us to do with regard to civil authorities. 

Many professing Christians' left their church, saying I am not going to submit to the mandate!"

However, as God speaks to us through His apostles, He makes our duty very clear. 

God ordains higher powers according to His purposes. 

Romans 13:1-2  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2)  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 

Hear what God says. A Christian is to be subject to the higher powers (government) because God sets rulers up and He removes them according to His wise purposes. 

Rulers are to protect the good and punish the bad.

Romans 13:3-4  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4)  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 

Generally, civil rulers are good for us, in that they enforce law and order, and protect us from enemies and evil doers. 

If we live for Christ, we will be zealous of good works and a ruler will not have cause to punish believers. However, if we break the law, we can expect a ruler to bring the consequences for our offense upon us. 

Are there any limits on obeying civil authorities? Yes. If the government or a ruler tries to force us to do something that God says we should not do, then we must obey God rather than man.    

It may mean we suffer in prison or forfeit our life, but the Bible contains many examples where believers obeyed God rather than a civil or religious authority.

We ought to obey God rather than men.

Acts 4:19-21  But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20)  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21)  So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.  

Peter and John were apprehended by the religious leaders in Jerusalem, because they healed a lame man, and preached Christ to those standing in the Temple.

The entire Sanhedrin gathered in an effort to silence gospel preaching by the apostles. Peter responded by asking them if they thought it was right to obey the rulers rather than obeying God. The answer is a resounding "No!"  

Acts 5:29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 

This happened a second time because Peter and the apostles kept preaching Christ. Jewish religious leaders were enraged because the apostles did not submit to their order to cease preaching. 

Peter replied boldly and bluntly. "We ought to obey God rather than men!" This is God's plan for His people, no matter what kind of government is in place. 

If a civil authority mandates we do something that violates God's commands, then we must not comply. 

This does not mean taking up weapons and fighting the government. Remember, that Paul's ministry took place under the diabolical Roman emperor, Nero. The apostle did not urge anyone to take up arms against Nero.

Paul never advocated overthrowing the government, because that is not part of the Great Commission Christ gave us (See Matthew 28:18-20).  

Yes, Christians should use our minds and our Bible when we vote for new leaders, but we are not called to be anarchists. 

If a law is passed that mandates we bow down and worship a king or ruler, then we must not comply (See Daniel 3:1-30).

Hebrew midwives obeyed God rather than Pharaoh. 

Exodus 1:16-22  And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. 17)  But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. 18)  And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? 19)  And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them. 20)  Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. 21)  And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses. 22)  And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive. 

In the Old Testament, when the Hebrews were enslaved by the Egyptians, a wicked Pharaoh demanded that Hebrew parents kill any male child that was born to them.

This text tells us about Pharaoh's wicked plan. Male babies were to be terminated by drowning and female babies were permitted to live. 

Obviously, this conflicts with God law against murder. The Hebrew midwives feared God more than they feared Pharaoh. God blessed them for honoring His Word and refusing to kill innocent babies. 

We must obey civil authorities because this honors God.

Romans 13:5-7  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6)  For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7)  Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 

If a government or a ruler tries to force us to do something that God says we should not do, then we must obey God rather than man.

I have known professing Christians who try everything in their power to avoid paying all taxes, federal, state, local and real estate. Their actions violate God's word.

Jesus showed us the example of paying our taxes (See Matthew 22:15-22). Paul guided by God's Spirit, tells us to pay our taxes. Honor civil authorities when such honor is called for. Have respect for civil authorities such as law enforcement. 

In other words, a Christian should be an example of a model citizen, living for God's glory, being a good example to others, and seeking to be a good citizen in all respects (See 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Titus 3:1-2). 

God will judge the wicked and will bless those who fear Him.

Ecclesiastes 8:10-13  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. 

Submitting to civil authorities is often a real challenge for us. Yet, King Solomon makes it clear that God will judge a wicked ruler and they shall not escape. The wicked die and are buried and soon forgotten.

Christians often become impatient because God does not execute His judgment upon sinners swiftly. We ask "Why doesn't God judge these people for their flagrant depravity?" 

Solomon tells us that because judgment from God seems to be slow in coming, that sinners seem to sin even more, with impunity. They have no fear of God. 

Yet, Solomon knows that it will be well with those who fear and love Jehovah. Ultimately, it will not be well for sinners, because they will face the wrath of God for their sins, when they die. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Christians, let us make sure we obey God with regard to civil authorities. When we submit to them, we honor God. When we rebel against them, we dishonor Him.

Let us comply with the law as long as doing so does not bring us into conflict with God's Word. 

Let us follow Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and refuse to comply if the government compels us to do that which God says we must not do.   

A believer in Christ should be an example of a model citizen, obeying the laws, paying our taxes, not complaining and being a witness for Christ.  

Remember, God is the Judge and He will bring His wrath to bear on the wicked ones. 

However, it will go well for those who trust Jesus Christ and fear God.

May we praise God for giving us clear direction in regard to civil authorities and how a Christian should respond to them.

May we choose to honor and obey God to the very best of our abilities. 

Bob