The Solomon Project: Ecclesiastes 8:1-4

For the rationale for this blog please see previous blogs. We begin today in chapter 8. While this chapter begins a new theme the author is still discussing wisdom. This chapter presents a contrast to the end of chapter 7. chapter 8 gives an example of how wisdom can save a man from the king's wrath. This is a contrast to the last section in that Solomon lamented the fact that a wise person could not be found. Once again he tempers his cynicism with positive examples.

Verse 1 says: "Who is like the wise man? Who knows the explanation of things? Wisdom brightens a man's face and changes its hard appearance." (Eccle 8:1 NIV) This sets up the following example of how wisdom can help avert the wrath of rulers. This is a central proverb to the section. Solomon uses a picturesque metaphor to convey the feeling of wisdom. Wisdom can take the rough edges of knowledge off the intellect.

Verse 2 states: "Obey the king's command, I say, because you took an oath before God." (Eccle 8:2 NIV) There are certain persons ordained by God to have authority. They may be quite good at it or not. The history of Israel's kings shows us that.

Verse 3 continues: "Do not be in a hurry to leave the king's presence. Do not stand up for a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases." (Eccle 8:3NIV) Attempting to escape the king's unilateral decisions prematurely may not be wise. By the same token allying oneself with a cause ill thought of by the king will be disastrous. The wise man will know how to conduct himself in these precarious circumstances. The thought here is not that the king will do what he pleases but that he can--because he has the authority. The wise man in this example is taking part in human justice and legislation "under the sun"

Verse 4 states: "Since a king's word is supreme, who can say to him, "What are you doing?" (Eccle 8:4 NIV) The rhetorical question demands the answer no one and nothing. To do otherwise would be disastrous.

Applications to the addictive and compulsive person? Dealing with resentments are a significant part of recovery. Sometimes as addicts we want to have the last word. This becomes disatrous in the face of legal authorities and leaders and managers in the workplace. Sometimes as addicts and compulsive people we become so fixated on our point of view we lose sight of the fact that we may win some suppoosed battle but lose the war. Anger becomes a major piece of the addicts thinking in these encounters. The wise person learns how to temper himself and see reality as it really is. There is someone in greater power than himself. As people in recovery we continue to treat authority with respect. We find our place in the world "under the sun" knowing that sometimes we are in positions of authority and sometimes others are in that position over us. Our time is up for today. So until next week keep coming back it works if you work it and you're worth it.