Ecclesiastes 5:8-9

3. Recognize God as the Ruler over all. Ecclesiastes 5:8-9

TEXT 5:8-9

8

If you see oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be shocked at the sight, for one official watches over another official, and there are higher officials over them.

9

After all, a king who cultivates the field is an advantage to the land.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 5:8-9

128.

One should not be shocked at what two areas of inequity?

129.

Is there a line of authority in the land? Explain.

130.

What kind of a king is an advantage to the land?

PARAPHRASE 5:8-9

Do you not see the way the poor are being oppressed, and the denial of righteousness and justice that is found throughout the land? This should not shock you. At least don-'t allow it to have this effect. It will help to remember that every official in the land has a higher official watching over himeven the king. There is an advantage in having a king over the whole cultivated land, for by his authority he approves the endeavors of men and defends his subjects against wrong, unnecessary burdens, and violence,poor government is better than no government at all!

COMMENT 5:8-9

Disharmony among men is the inevitable result of hypocritical worship. One should not be shocked at whatever he sees throughout the land when men fail so miserably in their response to God. Once Judas had betrayed Jesus, it was a short step to press into the forbidden inner section of the temple to desecrate it by casting the price of blood upon the floor. In like manner, when men make a mockery of public worship, going through the outward forms but denying the true spirit of worship, corruption runs rampant throughout the land. It is only when men are right before God that they are tapable of living together in peace and harmony.

Oppression, corruption, unrighteousness and denial of justice are common sights in any land where God is truly shut out of the heart. The poor are especially susceptible to oppression for they have neither the means nor the authority to champion their own cause (note the comments on Ecclesiastes 4:1). The rich men, wielding some authority, failed to justly deal with the decisions which involved the poor. If the authorities were in a proper relationship with God, none of the evils mentioned would be tolerated in the land. Note the words of Micah 6:8: He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Why should one not be shocked at such behaviour? These two verses have been variously interpreted. It is clear that certain evils are common throughout the land. It is not clear, however, what is meant by one official watches over another or what is meant by a king who cultivates the field. Whatever the interpretation, it must be the reason why one should not be shocked at the prevalent evil in the land.
There is an implied line of authority in control, Perhaps Solomon is suggesting that each person who is above another is taking advantage of him and practicing similar graft and corruption. Since this practice is so open and permeates the entire society from the lowest to the highest level, then one should not marvel at the matter. The purpose, however, is to comfort the poor who seem to be at the very bottom, and are not, themselves, taking advantage of another. He speaks to them in verse nine with the comforting thought that the king (and in this instance many believe it to be a reference to God) is over the entire cultivated landthat is, the land where all the activities are taking place. This truth, that God will bring about ultimate justice and that all evil deeds are recorded and will one day be destroyed, is in harmony with the major theme of the book. It is not comforting to one who is imprisoned or denied daily bread, to realize that some day even the officials will come into judgment before the true King, but it is all the comfort they have. There is an advantage to having such a King.
Solomon is not building a case for the farmer by suggesting that a land who has a king who is interested in and participates in agriculture is a blessing to the land. Although some translations lend themselves to this interpretation, it should be noted that the purpose of the Preacher in this section is to bring comfort to the poor and explain why they should not be shocked at the prevalent evil in the land. If the king is a man and not God, as seems most reasonable, then in the whole land there is an advantage to realize that a final authority exists and that although he will, on occasion, close his eyes to improprieties and even be guilty himself of similar charges, he will be called into judgment before God.
On this verse, Martin Luther has written the following observations which prove to be good advice for Christians today:

The book consequently teachers thee to let thine heart have rest and peace, and not to trouble and worry thyself over much when things go wrongly, but to accustom thyself to be able to say, when the devil brings malice, injustice, violence, and burdens on the poor, -Such is the way of the world, but God will judge and avenge it.-' And again, when thou seest things going well, learn to say, -God be praised, who, after all, so rules, that we do not merely suffer evil and injustice, but receive also much good.-' Moreover, let every man, according to his rank, and God's command, do his work with the best industry: other things let him commend to God; let him be patient and wait for Him who is able to find out and judge the ungodly and unjust. He that cannot lift a great stone, let him leave it lying and lift what he can. Wherefore, when thou seest that kings, princes and lords misuse their power, that judges and advocates take bribes and allow causes to sink or swim as they can, being wise and sensible thou wilt think within thyself,-God will sometime bring about a better state.-'

Futility is still the theme. How fleeting is life, and all too often how very fleeting the pleasures of life. One great lesson gained from reading Ecclesiastes is the awareness that men have always been troubled with the fact that any truly enjoyable experience on earth is very transitory, and in some cases never experienced by those who sojourn here. The Preacher's message brings us to a deeper appreciation of Jesus and the revelation He brings us. Those who have experienced the grace offered through Christ have found the secret of finding joy in the midst of the temporary. He also has discovered an explanation of the corruption, denial of justice, and oppression of the poor. It does not mean that the Christian either approves or tolerates such when it is within his power to rectify wrong, but it does mean that such evil does not destroy him and he is able to triumph in victory even when he is the recipient of the injustice.

FACT QUESTIONS 5:8-9

234.

What is the inevitable result of hypocritical worship?

235.

Why are the poor usually the ones who suffer the most?

236.

What is meant by one official watches over another?

237.

Do the officials practice evil? Explain.

238.

In what way is discovering the purpose of Solomon a key in interpreting the verses?

239.

Is Solomon praising the farmer? Discuss.

240.

What possible meanings are given to verse nine?

241.

What theme is Solomon still illustrating?

242.

What advantage does the Christian have over the person in Solomon's day? (Discuss in the light that he lives in a similar world where corruption is so prevalent?)