MESSAGE FOR MAY 5, 2013 FROM ECCLESIASTES 8:1-9
The section of Ecclesiastes we are looking at today was originally intended for a very narrow audience. The author Qohelet, who describes himself in chapter one as a former king of Israel, addresses this first half of chapter eight to that very specific group who personally attend the king as his advisers—members of his royal court. We may wonder what if anything this text has to say to us who have never even met a real earthly king. As we’ll see, there are a few words of wisdom here that apply only to royal counselors. However, many of these truths are transferable to us as we seek to know how to relate to all authority figures—in the home, in the state or workplace--some of whom can abuse their authority over us. As we’ve seen in other sections of the book, the author begins by giving a general tribute to wisdom. Verse one says, "
