Don't Rob Others (Eccl. 5:8-9)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 5/3/2013 8:16 AM

My Worship Time                                                                              Focus:  Don’t Rob Others

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                 Reference:  Eccl. 5:8-9

            Message of the verses:  A reminder of what we have been looking at in this fifth chapter of Ecclesiastes:  “In this chapter, Solomon issues three warnings that relate to the values of life.”  We have been looking at the first warning in the past two SD’s and will continue with the second in today’s SD.  “8 If you see oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be shocked at the sight; for one official watches over another official, and there are higher officials over them.  9 After all, a king who cultivates the field is an advantage to the land.”

            I want to look at what the Lord has written in His Word through His servant Moses about corrupt politicians who serve themselves and not those that they are suppose to serve:  “’You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you are to judge your neighbor fairly (Lev. 19:15).”  “"You shall not pervert the justice due an alien or an orphan, nor take a widow’s garment in pledge (Deut. 24:17).”  Solomon writes that we should not be surprised when this happens, and we know that he did not approve this kind of action, yet he states we should not be surprised when this happens.  Why do you suppose that he wrote that statement?  Perhaps because he knows that all men are sinful, born as a sinner and will always want to do the wrong thing unless they realize that they are a sinner and in need of a Savior.  Even those who have been born-again still have an old nature that Paul speaks about in Romans chapter seven, an old nature that never wants to do right. 

            Let us look at how the NIV translates Eccl. 5:8 “If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still.”  The poor persons case seems to be lost in the red tape and does not receive justice from the system.  “Don’t be surprised if you see a poor person being oppressed by the powerful and if justice is being miscarried throughout the land. For every official is under orders from higher up, and matters of justice get lost in red tape and bureaucracy Eccl. 5:8 NLT).”

            I want to quote verse nine in several different translations to show that translators were not sure how to translate this verse:  “Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field (KJV).”  “It is good generally for a country where the land is worked to have a king (BBE).”  “But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields (ESV).”  “The profit from the land is taken by all; the king is served by the field (HCSB).”  But the good earth doesn’t cheat anyone—even a bad king is honestly served by a field (The Message).”  “The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields (NIV).”  “Even the king milks the land for his own profit! (NLT).”  “And the abundance of a land is for all. A king for a field is served (YLT).”  Dr. Wiersbe writes on the fact that this verse is difficult to translate by saying “The general idea seems to be that it spite of corruption in the bureaucracy, it is better to have organized government, and a king over the land, than to have anarchy.  A few dishonest people may profit from corrupt practices, but everyone benefits from organized authority.  Of course, the ideal is to have a government that is both honest and efficient, but man’s heart being what it is, the temptation to dishonest gain is always there.  Lord Action wrote to Bishop Mandell Creighton in 1887, ‘Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.’  Solomon’s investigation bears this out.”

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I see from this section as I look at getting to know God better that even though men are corrupt God is still in control and according to Romans 8:28, which states, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose,” we can see that God is so much in control that even the things that are not good He will work out for the believer’s good and for His glory.

My Steps of Faith for Today:  Trust the God who is in complete control to work out all things for my good and His glory.

Memory verses for the week:  Mark 14:28 & 2 Cor. 5:17

            38 Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. 

            17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old has passed away; behold, new things have come.

Answer to yesterday’s Bible Question:  “White Apparel.”  (Acts 1:10-11)

Today’s Bible Question:  “Who said, “If it is possible, let this cup pass from me?”

Answer in Tomorrow’s SD.

5/3/2013 9:11 AM