CHAPTER 8

1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. 2 I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. 3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. 4 Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

In reading this passage of Scripture, we must remember that the source of Solomon's wisdom was God (See 2Chronicles 1:6-12).

When Solomon refers to a "wise man," his reference is not to a man who has worldly wisdom, but to a man who has been with God. The Word of God will make "the simple wise" (Psalm 19:7).

The wisdom from God will make a man's "face to shine," or cause him to be known among others for his wisdom. That is what happened to Moses when he talked with God on the mountain (Exodus 34:29-33). People, especially other Christians, can recognize when a person spends a lot of time with God in prayer and Bible study.

The reason others can recognize that is because "the boldness of his face shall be changed." The person's face is not proud or haughty; neither is it innocent or unknowing. But the face is calm, serene, and reflects the fact that the person comfortable with who he is - a person surrendered to God (verse 2).

The "commandment" TO the king of Israel was to study the Word of God daily and to make all decisions according to the truths presented in the Word (Deuteronomy 17:18). Solomon's "counsel," or advice (verse 2) is that EVERYONE should abide by the "king's commandment." EVERYONE should study the Word of God and make decisions according to God's truths. This is the way of "wisdom."

Now, verses 3 and 4 can be applied to the king who spends much time in prayer and Bible study. He will desire to keep his subjects from evil, and it is within his "power" to do so.

More appropriately though, verses 3 and 4 are applied to Christ as THE King of all. When we have made an "oath" (verse 2) of surrender to our Lord, Jesus, then we should be careful to act according to His will in our lives. He CARES about His subjects, and does not desire that they should be involved in evil. It is within His power to correct us when we do wrong.

And who can say anything against God's parental discipline of His children (verse 4)? He is GOD! He IS the King of who we are! "Where the word of a king is, there is POWER.." (verse 4).

Christ has the power to create the universe with His spoken Word (John 1:3, Hebrews 1:2). Surely we should realize the power in His written Word.

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.

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.

10 And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity. 11 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. 12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: 13 But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.

The child who is not corrected "speedily" (verse 11) is more often involved in disobedience.

Solomon sees that there have been wicked people who who lived and died, but no retribution seemed to have been given before their death (verse 10). It seems they "got away with it," and this might be an encouragement for others to be as they were - wicked.

However, if a person lives a long life in wickedness and is never stopped from it, he WILL eventually DIE. And when he dies, he will face GOD! Then, "it shall not be well with the wicked" (verse 13).

It is better to "fear God" (verse 12), and honor him in life: because "..I know that it shall be well with them that fear God.." It shall be well in conscience today. And it shall be well in judgment tomorrow.

14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity. 15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun. 16 When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:) 17 Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.

Even the wisest of all wise men realized there were some things he could not understand!

Sometimes the wicked will prosper under the rule of the righteous. And sometimes the righteous will suffer under the rule of the wicked. To Solomon, and I think to all Christians, this seems to be "vanity." It brings a sense of emptiness and is unsatisfactory to our souls.

But if we determine within ourselves to understand EVERYTHING, then we'll never have any "sleep" (verse 16). Finite man cannot comprehend the infinite ways of God in this world.

Therefore, it is best for us to be happy and content with what God has given us (verse 15).

God has said that there are some things which are "revealed" by Him that we should KNOW; and, there are some things which are NOT revealed that we should leave alone! (See Deuteronomy 29:29)

If we study the Word of God, and live in obedience to His expressed will, then we can live with contentment (See Phillippians 4:11, 1Timothy 6:8 and Hebrews 13:5).

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.