THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
The school class was to have an examination tomorrow. So, Mrs. Jones gave the students some homework which would refresh their memories.
As one of the students was leaving, he said, "Mrs. Jones, you are a wicked ruler!"
Mrs. Jones promptly reached under her desk and pulled out a meter stick.
Then she replied, "You better watch out Son, I also can use a ruler wickedly!"
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________SCRIPTURE_____________________________________________________
Ecclesiastes 8
5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.
6 Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.
7 For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
9 All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.
KJV
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_______THOUGHT_________________________________________________________
We must realize that because of the iniquities of mankind our lives are faced with inequities. Solomon says (verse 9) there is a time when one rules over another "to his own hurt."
And, I believe, this is the conclusion to a progressive thought.
A ruler should realize that his judgment and decisions are accountable to God. There is a time when the ruler shall die (verse 8), and he will have to face God for his own judgment. No mere man can win that "war," for it is "appointed" of God (Hebrews 9:27). ALL rulers are limited in their power, because in the end they shall answer to God!
However, there is "misery" associated with rulership (verse 6). The "misery" is in knowing that everything will not BE as the ruler wants it to be.
If the ruler is striving to keep the "commandment" of God (verse 5) though, he will be able to recognize that "to every purpose there is time and judgment" (verse 6).
The ruler then can be at peace because he knows that God, in the end, will correct all the inequities of man.
One more thing rulers need to grasp: "neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it." If a ruler is wicked, he/she will STILL be judged of God!
And, God Who is JUST, will not go easy on wicked rulers!
Love ya,
Bruce