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Dr. Rick Griffith, profile picture
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Submission & Joy (Ecclesiastes 8)

The document discusses the theme of submission to authority and the importance of wisdom as outlined in Ecclesiastes 8. It emphasizes obeying human authorities due to the advantages it brings and reflects on the puzzling nature of justice in society, where often the wrong individuals are punished. Ultimately, it encourages enjoying life while humbly submitting to both God and earthly authorities, acknowledging human limitations in understanding God's reasons.

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Dr. Rick Griffith, Crossroads International Church www.biblestudydownloads.com Ecclesiastes 8 Submission & Joy
Pulpit Freedom Sunday
Pulpit Freedom Sunday
Pulpit Freedom Sunday
Pulpit Freedom Sunday
Pulpit Freedom Sunday
To what extent should we obey the government?
How should we respond to authority —to both God and man?
Main Idea of 7:15-29 Wisdom is balanced, strong, and insightful.
"Wise" and "wisdom" occur over 30 times in Ecclesiastes 7–12
I. Obey authorities due to the many advantages (8:1-9).
"How wonderful to be wise, to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person's face, softening its harshness" (7:1 NLT).
Varied Expressions
Wisdom normally informs your face. Pastor Alan Wright
Show me what a wisdom countenance looks like!
The wise see advantages to submit to human authorities (8:2-9).
"Obey the king since you vowed to God that you would" (8:2 NLT).
"Don't try to avoid doing your duty, and don't stand with those who plot evil, for the king can do whatever he wants. 4His command is backed by great power. No one can resist or question it" (8:3-4 NLT).
Submit to authorities because disobedience has consequences (8:5-9).
"Those who obey him will not be punished. Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right" (8:5 NLT).
"for there is a time and a way for everything, even when a person is in trouble. 7Indeed, how can people avoid what they don't know is going to happen?" (8:6-7 NLT).
"None of us can hold back our spirit from departing. None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death. There is no escaping that obligation, that dark battle. And in the face of death, wickedness will certainly not rescue the wicked" (8:8 NLT).
"I have thought deeply about all that goes on here under the sun, where people have the power to hurt each other" (8:9 NLT).
I. Obey authorities due to the many advantages (8:1-9).
II. We punish the wrong people —so it puzzles us (8:10-14).
Who do we punish? We don't punish bad people (8:10-13).
"I have seen wicked people buried with honor. Yet they were the very ones who frequented the Temple and are now praised in the same city where they committed their crimes! This, too, is meaningless" (8:10 NLT).
"When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong" (8:11 NLT).
"But even though a person sins a hundred times and still lives a long time, I know that those who fear God will be better off. 13The wicked will not prosper, for they do not fear God. Their days will never grow long like the evening shadows" (8:12-13 NLT).
Who do we punish? We don't punish bad people (8:10-13). We punish good people instead (8:14).
"And this is not all that is meaningless in our world. In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. This is so meaningless!" (8:14 NLT).
I. Obey authorities due to the many advantages (8:1-9).
II. We punish the wrong people —so it puzzles us (8:10-14).
III. Enjoy life and submit to God even though He won't tell us His reasons (8:15-17).
Should life all be hard work?
"So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life." "That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun" (8:14 NLT).
Was Solomon an Epicurean? "Eat, drink, and be merry" "…for tomorrow we die" —Epicurus
life, and forsake your vain and presumptuous desire for a second one" (Richard Dawkins).
Kids teach us much about enjoying life.
Great Advice LIVE WELL LAUGH OFTEN LOVE MUCH
Joy Johnson, 86 She wanted to die running. She did— just after crossing the finish line.
Submit to God even though you don't know His ways (8:16-17).
"In my search for wisdom and in my observation of people's burdens here on earth, I discovered that there is ceaseless activity, day and night" (8:16 NLT). THE INTERNET Just one more click before you go to sleep
Scientists = “Happy Workaholics”?
"I realized that no one can discover everything God is doing under the sun. Not even the wisest people discover everything, no matter what they claim" (8:17 NLT).
How should we respond to authority —to both God and man?
Humbly submit to man and God—and you'll get joy! Main Idea
Where do you need to… • Submit to authority? • Recognize your limited understanding?
OT Sermons link at biblestudydownloads.com Get this presentation for free!