ECCL. 8: 1 - 9ECCL. 8: 1 - 9

THERE’S A RIGHT TIME AND RIGHT PROCEDURE

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Eccl. 8:1Eccl. 8:1

WHEN OVERWHELMED BY STORMS AND CLOUDS… AND YOU DON’T KNOW WHICH DIRECTION IS UP

FLY BY INSTRUMENTS… NOT BY FEELINGS

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ANYONE RECOGNIZE THIS GUY?ANYONE RECOGNIZE THIS GUY?

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RECOGNIZE?RECOGNIZE?4

ACCIDENT REPORTACCIDENT REPORT

• THEY DIED DUE TO PILOTS:

–SPATIAL DISORIENTATION

ON FRIDAY JULY 16, 1999OFF MARTHA’S VINEYARD

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NEVER TRAINED ON INSTRUMENT NEVER TRAINED ON INSTRUMENT FLYINGFLYING

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ENVELOPED IN SUFFERINGENVELOPED IN SUFFERING

DON’T KNOW WHICH WAY IS UP….IF WE FOCUS ON OUR CIRCUMSTANCES,

WE END UP CHUCKING ALL REASON AND FLY STRAIGHT INTO THE GROUND

WHEN WE DON’T KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON… WE HAVE TO FLY BY THE INSTRUMENT’S (THY WORD IS TRUTH)

YOU DON’T ABANDON YOUR FAITH BECAUSE YOU CAN’T FIGURE IT OUT

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SCRIPTURAL INSTRUCTIONSCRIPTURAL INSTRUCTION

–PROVERBS 3: 5-6“TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART

AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING”… (SEEMS RIGHT TO ME, FEELS RIGHT, SOUNDS O.K. TO ME, I DON’T SEE ANYTHING WRONG…..)

“BUT (IN CONTRAST) IN ALL THY WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM (TRUST AND OBEY HIS WORD), AND HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATH”

*

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SO WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?SO WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?

SOLOMON, LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO: PAUL 2 YEARS IN JAIL IN CAESAREA, PLUS

2 + YEARS IN HOUSE ARREST IN ROME»WHAT WAS GOD DOING? PAUL COULD HAVE PERHAPS “WON” 300+ PEOPLE TO THE LORD… AND MAYBE FOUNDED A FEW MORE CHURCHES……

»INSTEAD, ALL HE DID WAS WRITE FOUR LETTERS (WHILE IN JAIL) TO HIS FRIENDS….»Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon»BLESSED AND EDIFIED MILLIONS….. »DID PAUL UNDERSTAND what GOD INTENDED?

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PAUL CONDUCTED HIS LIFE AND PAUL CONDUCTED HIS LIFE AND PERSPECTIVE ON “TRUTH” (INSTRUMENTS)PERSPECTIVE ON “TRUTH” (INSTRUMENTS)

SOLOMON IN ECCL 8:1 SAYS THOSE THAT KEEP GOD’S WORD AS PRIMARY “INSTRUMENT”… ARE WISE, AND THIS WISDOM (OF GOD’S WORD) MAKES THEIR FACE TO SHINE.. (REMEMBER MOSES ON MT. SINAI) … to EVEN “SOFTENING” THE COUNTENANCE.

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NOW SOLOMON CHANGES TOPICSNOW SOLOMON CHANGES TOPICS

◦ECCL. 8: 2-9CAN YOU TRUST THE GOVERNMENT?

SHOULD YOU? WHY?

WHAT IF IT IS CORRUPT?

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EVER SINCE AMERICA FORMEDEVER SINCE AMERICA FORMED

WE HAVE HAD KNOCK DOWN ARGUMENTS BETWEEN TWO GROUPS OF AUTHORITY WITH DIFFERING IDEOLOGIES AND OPINIONS OF WHAT CAUSES OUR ANXIETIES AS A NATION

CONTRASTING VISIONS BETWEEN THESE TWO POLITICAL PARTIES IS ULTIMATELY THEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL

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TWO VIEWSTWO VIEWS

CONSTRAINED

UNCONSTRAINED

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CONSTRAINED VIEWCONSTRAINED VIEW

SEES HUMANS AS BASICALLY SELFISH AND SINFUL, AND THOSE HOLDING THIS POSITION PLACE THEIR HOPE IN CONSTRAINING OUR SIN THROUGH THE LAWS OF THE LAND. (GENERALLY THESE COULD BE CALLED “REPUBLICAN”)

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REPUBLICANSREPUBLICANS

PLACE THEIR HOPE, SPEND THEIR MONEY, TIME AND RESOURCES TO ENSURE THAT OUR MILITARY CAN PROTECT OUR BORDER, THE POLICE CAN PATROL OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THAT OUR LAWS REFLECT A PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE WHO WILL NOT FOLLOW AFTER THEM. JAILS SHOULD BE BUILT TO PUNISH LAW BREAKERS.. NOT TO REHABILITATE THEM.

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UNCONSTRAINED VIEWUNCONSTRAINED VIEW

DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED TO THE CONSTRAINED VIEW…

BUT PERCEIVES THE HUMAN CONDITION OPTIMISTICALLY. SEE’S MAN’S NATURE AS “BASICALLY GOOD”, AND CAPABLE OF POTENTIAL PERFECTION IN THIS LIFE.

THESE WOULD BE CONSIDERED DEMOCRATS.

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WITHIN THIS VIEWWITHIN THIS VIEW

MONEY, HOPE, TIME AND RESOURCES ARE DIRECTED TOWARDS VAST SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS PUBLIC EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, AND GOVERNMENT SOCIAL SERVICES… INCLUDING HEALTH SERVICES DESIGNED TO PREVENT OR CURE THE ILLS OF OUR WORLD.

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GOD’S WORDGOD’S WORD

GOD DECLARES HIS VIEW OF MAN. WE ARE TAUGHT THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES THAT THE PROBLEMS WITH PEOPLE IN AUTHORITY AND THE WITH THE WORLD AROUND US… ARE THE PROBLEMS WITHIN US, NAMELY OUR SINFULNESS.

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WHY IS GOVERNMENT NEEDED?WHY IS GOVERNMENT NEEDED?

TO PROTECT US FROM THE ACTIONS OF SINFUL PEOPLE AND PROTECT US FROM TYRANTS AND OPPRESSORS.

WE ALSO NEED AGENCIES TO HELP BATTERED WOMEN, HOMELESS CHILDREN AND THOSE IN NEED. But OFTEN THESE AGENCIES AND INSTITUTIONS ARE DEEPLY FLAWED, OFTEN UNRIGHTEOUS AND EVEN OPPRESSIVE BECAUSE THEY ARE LED BY PEOPLE WHO ARE ALSO SELFISH SINNERS.

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WE MAKE A BIG MISTAKEWE MAKE A BIG MISTAKE

THINKING GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO SOLVE MANKINDS PROBLEMS◦IT WON’T

MANY LOOK FOR A HERO (ONE IS COMING… THAT THE WHOLE WORLD WILL DESIRE)

◦WHAT THE WORLD DESIRES IS FOR THINGS TO CHANGE EXTERNALLY WHILE THEY (THE INDIVIDUAL) REMAIN THE SAME INTERNALLY. I.E. THEY WANT SALVATION ON THEIR TERMS, NOT GOD’S

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SOLOMON SPEAKS SOLOMON SPEAKS VS 2-9 VS 2-9

HE IS NOT TALKING HERE ABOUT A HITLER, SUDDAM HUSSEIN, CEASAR’S OR THE LIKE… BUT ACKNOWLEDGES THE OCCASSIONAL INJUSTICES IN GOV’T … NEVERTHELESS THERE ARE PROPER POWERS THAT GOVERNMENT WIELDS

HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND?

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SOLOMON SUGGESTS FOUR ALTERNATIVES TO ORDERS GIVEN SOLOMON SUGGESTS FOUR ALTERNATIVES TO ORDERS GIVEN BY THOSE IN AUTHORITY (THAT THE INDIVIDUAL DOES NOT BY THOSE IN AUTHORITY (THAT THE INDIVIDUAL DOES NOT WANT TO DO)WANT TO DO)

1. DISOBEDIENCE…◦SOLOMON SAYS “KEEP THE KINGS

COMMAND” (vs2) .. NOTE THIS COULD APPLY TO YOUR BOSS AT WORK.

◦A.) THE INDIVIDUAL MUST BE LOYAL TO AUTHORITY… AND TO GOD. SERIOUS

CONSEQUENCES.◦ B.) Those in authority have more power than

the word of a “servant”

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DISOBEDIENCE (CON’T)DISOBEDIENCE (CON’T)

• C. . AVOID PUNISHMENT .. IN SOME CULTURES COULD BE DEATH –PAUL IN ROMANS 13:3-4 SAID “WE ALL HAVE

ENOUGH MISERY, WHY ADD TO IT”• REMEMBER, HOWEVER, IF THE ORDER

VIOLATES GOD’S INSTRUCTION… THEN DISOBEY –DANIEL–APOSTLES

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ALTERNATIVE 2ALTERNATIVE 2“DESERTION”“DESERTION”VS 3:a DON’T LEAVE YOUR BOSSES

OFFICE IN DISGUST.. IT MAY BE YOUR LAST VISIT (BOSS MAY BE OFFENDED)

UNLESS IT INVOLVES INTEGRITY.. I.E. HUMBLY STATE YOUR FEELINGS THEN

DROP IT.

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ALTERNATIVE 3ALTERNATIVE 3“DEFIANCE”“DEFIANCE”VS 3b “DO NOT STAND UP FOR A BAD

CAUSE” (COULD MEAN: DON’T PROMOTE THE KING’S EVIL PLAN, OR DON’T GET INVOLVED IN A PLAN TO OVER-THROW THE KING /BOSS)

Probably the later is best interpretation.However, when it comes to matters of

conscience and the importance of standing up for what is right (Acts 5:29 says: “We ought to obey God rather than man”.

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ALTERNATIVE 4ALTERNATIVE 4“DISCERNMENT”“DISCERNMENT”VS 5b – 6

SOLOMON SUGGESTS THE WISE ONE DISCERNS THE RIGHT TIME AND PROCEDURE.

BECAUSE IT TAKES DISCERNMENT TO KNOW THE RIGHT PROCEDURE FOR THE RIGHT TIME.

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FOR EXAMPLEFOR EXAMPLE

Joseph: Did not impulsively reveal to his brothers who he was, because he wanted to be sure their hearts were right with their father and their GOD. Once he heard them confess their sins, Joseph knew it was the right time to identify himself. His handling of this delicate matter was a masterpiece of wisdom…

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anotheranother

Nehemiah was burdened to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, but he was not sure the king would release him for the task (Neh. 1-2). He waited and watched and prayed, knowing that GOD would one day open the way for him. When the opportune hour came, Nehemiah was ready and the king granted him his request. Nehemiah knew how to discern “time and procedure”

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And anotherAnd another

A prisoner of war in the Gentile land, DANIEL refused to eat the unclean food set before him, but he didn’t make a big scene about it. Instead, he exercised gentleness and wisdom by suggesting that the guards permit the Jews to experiment with a different diet. The plan worked and DANIEL and his friends not only kept themselves ceremonially clean, but they were promoted in the king’s court. (Dan. 1)

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And finallyAnd finally

The apostles exercised spiritual discernment when they were arrested and persecuted (Acts 4-5). They showed respect toward those in authority even though the religious leaders were prejudiced and acted illegally. The apostles were even willing to suffer for their faith and the Lord honored them.

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OptionsOptions

Solomon says we have the 4 options concerning our Gov’t and/or our boss, of disobeying, running away, defying orders and even fighting back OR USE DISCERNMENT. THUS before we act:◦FIRST EXERCISE WISDOM AND SEEK TO

DISCERN THE RIGHT TIME AND THE RIGHT PROCEDURE.

◦IT IS NOT EAST TO BE A CONSISTENT Christian in this complicated evil world, but we can ask for the wisdom of God and receive it by faith (James 1:5; 3:17-18)

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APPLICATION: WISDOM ENDURES APPLICATION: WISDOM ENDURES EVEN WHEN IT DOESN’T EVEN WHEN IT DOESN’T UNDERSTANDUNDERSTAND

Vs.6b “though the misery of man increases greatly”

HAVE YOU EVEN HEARD A FOOTBALL ANNOUNCER SAY “HE’S PLAYING HURT”?

GOD WANTS YOU AND ME TO KEEP TRUSTING AND OBEYING GOD’S WORD AND SERVING HIM … EVEN THO WE MAY BE “PLAYING HURT” IN LIFE

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And what about the future?And what about the future?

• Vs. 7 For he does not know what will happen, so who can tell him when it will occur?”

• Joseph 13 yrs, Abraham 25, Jacob 20 ….• - Ray Stedman, former pastor of Peninsula

Bible Fellowship.. Author of many books: “Body Life” .. And of course, a book on Eccl. During WW2 wanted to obey the Government.• As a sailor, he joined the Navigator work in Pearl

Harbor (my fathers Uncle, Harold DeGroff), joined in teaching Bible Studies• (Grandma Armstrong was greatly loved cook) • After the war, GI Bill paid for his Seminary education.

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Future may be riskyFuture may be risky

• Vs. 8 “No one has power over the wind to restrain the wind, and no one has power in the day of death, there is not release from that war, and wickedness will not deliver those who are given to it.”–Death is wholly in God’s hand… None has authority

to choose the day of his death–No one is discharged in time of war .. Requires

commitment–Does not condone military irresponsibility…

inappropriate violence

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Government sometimes Government sometimes overstepsoversteps

• Vs 9 “All this I saw, as I applied my mind to everything done under the sun. There is a time when a man lords it over others to his own hurt”–All governments do evil… He does not mean

Government is evil… (Government comes from God) … the problem is EVIL in fallen men in authority, living in a fallen world• King of Egypt, Ahab, Neb, …. Stalin, Ceausescu,

Mao…

–Two flagrant examples will be covered next week…

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