Ecclesiastes 8
Solomon had looked at everything and found nothing or no one who made life meaningful.
In this chapter he looks at the power found under the sun.
He sees the power of those in authority, v2-6. He concludes that the only thing we should do is to obey. If you choose not to then you will be punished. Even if you disagree with the king you should view him as a man under God for God’s purpose, v2. For all those working for a difficult boss today this is no doubt encouraging. Though for Solomon in his generation he could find no one who could say,”You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.”
He sees the power within the storms of life, v7-8. This morning, the news in the UK is all about last night’s storm. No one had the power to stop it. Maybe you are waking to a storm of life today. I hope you are not like Solomon who could find no one who could rebuke and quieten the storm.
He sees the power of those who arrogantly bully others, v9-10. There are many in the hands of a dictator, of a manipulator, abused by the strength and pride of the big-shot. It would seem that to get to the top in a career you have to walk over the many. It is all under the sun and we have seen it. For Solomon, he had not seen any one who on being a lord did not lord it over others. He had not witnessed true servant-leadership.
Today you may be experiencing one of these or all three powers. But you are different to Solomon. Life is not meaningless. For you have met the One who has showed us all how to obey, how to survive and how to lead.
You have found wisdom. You know His name.
Missions Paul 