For the king's word is supreme, and who can say to him, "What are you doing?" For the king’s word is supremeIn ancient Israel, the king held a position of ultimate authority, reflecting the theocratic nature of the society where the king was seen as God's appointed ruler. This phrase underscores the absolute power and authority of a monarch, which was common in the ancient Near East. The king's word was law, and his decrees were binding. This reflects the broader biblical theme of authority and submission, as seen in Romans 13:1-2, where believers are instructed to submit to governing authorities. The king's authority can also be seen as a type of Christ, the ultimate King whose word is final and supreme ( Revelation 19:16). and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”
This rhetorical question emphasizes the futility of questioning or challenging the king's decisions. In the cultural context of the time, questioning a king could be seen as rebellion or insubordination, often leading to severe consequences. This reflects the broader biblical principle of respecting authority, as seen in Proverbs 24:21-22, which warns against rebelling against the king. The phrase also points to the sovereignty of God, as seen in Job 9:12, where Job acknowledges that no one can question God's actions. This can be seen as a reminder of the ultimate authority of God, who is the King of Kings, and whose plans and purposes are beyond human understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9). Persons / Places / Events 1. The KingRepresents authority and power, often seen as a figure of ultimate earthly authority in biblical times. 2. SolomonTraditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was a king known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem. 3. IsraelThe nation over which Solomon reigned, providing the cultural and historical context for the book of Ecclesiastes. 4. The CourtThe setting where the king's word is law, reflecting the hierarchical structure of ancient Near Eastern societies. 5. The SpeakerThe voice in Ecclesiastes, often referred to as "the Teacher" or "the Preacher," who reflects on the nature of life and authority. Teaching Points Respect for AuthorityRecognize the importance of respecting earthly authorities as they are established by God. This respect is not blind obedience but an acknowledgment of the order God has instituted. God's Sovereignty Over Earthly PowersUnderstand that while earthly rulers have significant power, they are ultimately under God's sovereign control. This should bring comfort and assurance to believers. Wisdom in Speech and ActionExercise wisdom in how we speak to and about those in authority. Questioning authority should be done with respect and discernment, recognizing the weight of their position. The Limitations of Human AuthorityRemember that human authority is limited and temporary. Our ultimate allegiance is to God, who is the supreme ruler over all. Living as Citizens of HeavenAs Christians, we are called to live as citizens of heaven, which means respecting earthly authorities while ultimately serving God's kingdom purposes. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the role of a king in biblical times help us interpret Ecclesiastes 8:4? 2. In what ways can we show respect for authority in our daily lives, and how does this align with biblical teaching? 3. How does the concept of God's sovereignty over rulers provide comfort in times of political uncertainty? 4. What are some practical ways we can exercise wisdom when interacting with those in positions of authority? 5. How can we balance our respect for earthly authorities with our ultimate allegiance to God, especially when the two seem to conflict? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 21:1This verse speaks to the sovereignty of God over the hearts of kings, suggesting that while a king's word is powerful, it is ultimately under God's control. Romans 13:1-2These verses discuss the importance of submitting to governing authorities, as they are established by God, reinforcing the theme of respecting authority. Daniel 4:35This passage highlights God's ultimate authority over all earthly rulers, reminding us that no human authority is beyond God's reach. 1 Peter 2:13-17These verses encourage believers to submit to every human authority for the Lord's sake, aligning with the respect for authority seen in Ecclesiastes 8:4. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Authoritative, Authority, Doest, Forasmuch, King's, Power, SupremeDictionary of Bible Themes Ecclesiastes 8:2-5 5257 civil authorities Library Misused Respite
'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'--ECCLES. viii. 11. When the Pharaoh of the Exodus saw there was respite, he hardened his heart. Abject in his fear before Moses, he was ready to promise anything; insolent in his pride, he swallows down his promises as soon as fear is eased, his repentance and his retractation of it combined to add new weights about his neck. He was but a conspicuous example of …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureFive Fears
Now, you will notice that fear may be yoked into the service of God. True fear, not fearing, but believing, saves the soul; not doubt, but confidence, is the strength and the deliverance of the Christian. Still, fear, as being one of those powers which God hath given us, is not in itself sinful. Fear may be used for the most sinful purposes; at the same time it may be so ennobled by grace, and so used for the service of God, that it may become the very grandest part of man. In fact, Scripture has …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857 The Wicked Man's Life, Funeral, and Epitaph
We shall this morning want you, first of all, to walk with a living man; it is said of him that he did "come and go from the place of the holy:" next, I shall want you to attend his funeral, and then, in conclusion I shall ask you to assist in writing his epitaph--"and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this also is vanity." I. In the first place, HERE IS SOME GOOD COMPANY FOR YOU; some with whom you may walk to the house of God, for it is said of them, that they did come and …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858 Whether Christ Should have Been Circumcised?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ should not have been circumcised. For on the advent of the reality, the figure ceases. But circumcision was prescribed to Abraham as a sign of the covenant concerning his posterity, as may be seen from Gn. 17. Now this covenant was fulfilled in Christ's birth. Therefore circumcision should have ceased at once. Objection 2: Further, "every action of Christ is a lesson to us" [*Innoc. III, Serm. xxii de Temp.]; wherefore it is written (Jn. 3:15): "I have given …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether in Loving God we Ought to Observe any Mode?
Objection 1: It would seem that we ought to observe some mode in loving God. For the notion of good consists in mode, species and order, as Augustine states (De Nat. Boni iii, iv). Now the love of God is the best thing in man, according to Col. 3:14: "Above all . . . things, have charity." Therefore there ought to be a mode of the love of God. Objection 2: Further, Augustine says (De Morib. Eccl. viii): "Prithee, tell me which is the mode of love. For I fear lest I burn with the desire and love of …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Literature.
i. editions of chrysostom's works. S. Joannis Chrysostomi, archiepiscopi Constantinopolitani, Opera omnia quæ exstant vel quæ ejus nomine circumferuntur, ad mss. codices Gallicos, Vaticanos, Anglicos, Germanicosque castigata, etc. Opera et studio D.Bernardi de Montfaucon, monachi ordinis S. Benedicti e congregatione S. Mauri, opem ferentibus aliis ex codem sodalitio, monachis. Greek and Latin, Paris, 1718-'38, in 13 vols., fol. This is the best edition, and the result of about twenty …
St. Chrysostom—On the Priesthood Concerning Jonathan, one of the Sicarii, that Stirred up a Sedition in Cyrene, and was a False Accuser [Of the Innocent].
1. And now did the madness of the Sicarii, like a disease, reach as far as the cities of Cyrene; for one Jonathan, a vile person, and by trade a weaver, came thither and prevailed with no small number of the poorer sort to give ear to him; he also led them into the desert, upon promising them that he would show them signs and apparitions. And as for the other Jews of Cyrene, he concealed his knavery from them, and put tricks upon them; but those of the greatest dignity among them informed Catullus, …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem A Few Sighs from Hell;
or, The Groans of the Damned Soul: or, An Exposition of those Words in the Sixteenth of Luke, Concerning the Rich Man and the Beggar WHEREIN IS DISCOVERED THE LAMENTABLE STATE OF THE DAMNED; THEIR CRIES, THEIR DESIRES IN THEIR DISTRESSES, WITH THE DETERMINATION OF GOD UPON THEM. A GOOD WARNING WORD TO SINNERS, BOTH OLD AND YOUNG, TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION BETIMES, AND TO SEEK, BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, TO AVOID, LEST THEY COME INTO THE SAME PLACE OF TORMENT. Also, a Brief Discourse touching the …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Ecclesiastes
It is not surprising that the book of Ecclesiastes had a struggle to maintain its place in the canon, and it was probably only its reputed Solomonic authorship and the last two verses of the book that permanently secured its position at the synod of Jamnia in 90 A.D. The Jewish scholars of the first century A.D. were struck by the manner in which it contradicted itself: e.g., "I praised the dead more than the living," iv. 2, "A living dog is better than a dead lion," ix. 4; but they were still more …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ecclesiastes 8:4 NIVEcclesiastes 8:4 NLTEcclesiastes 8:4 ESVEcclesiastes 8:4 NASBEcclesiastes 8:4 KJV
Ecclesiastes 8:4 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
