Following and Influencing the Man (Pt 2)

Interacting with Authority
Ecclesiastes 8:1-9
2007.11.04
one28 Sunday worship

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The people who make the biggest impact in the world are not necessarily the ones with power and authority. Often the ones who make the biggest impact are the ones who influence those in positions of power and authority. Even if you aren’t the authority (and most of you aren’t, at least yet), you can make a major difference in the lives of your authority.

Last week we started studying Solomon’s advice for following and influencing the man. In other words, we examined the importance of obeying authority and the possibility of influencing their decisions.

In verse 1 Solomon pointed out The Possibility of Influencing Authority and the reality that trusted counselors are very valuable and extremely rare. A man with wisdom and discernment is able to change the face of the king from hard to happy. It is possible to have great influence on authority.

Then in verses 2-8 we began to study The Responsibility of Honoring Authority and four pieces of practical advice. We covered the first piece of advice in verse 2, The Right Behavior: Keep the king’s command, because of God’s oath to him. Those who are not the king, those who are not in authority, have an easily defined task. They are simply required to obey!

The reason we must obey the king (or by way of application, our government officials and parents and pastors and teachers and employees) is because God Himself has put those persons in place. Disregarding or disobeying them is disregarding or disobeying God. When we complain, when we criticize, when we back talk, when we rebel, we are ultimately resisting God.

It is built into the fabric of our flesh to reject authority. We can look all the way back to Adam and Eve to see that people want their own authority, to do what they want when they want. But here’s the problem, it doesn’t matter what we think. It’s not up to us. It is up to us to obey and do what we’re told. Even though we might amuse our buddies and win their temporary admiration by standing up against teachers or making some smart-aleck, sarcastic quip about the President or mocking our parents behind their back, it does not amuse God. But figuring out the right behavior is no difficult task: Keep the king’s command. We are responsible to honor authority.

2. The Right Attitude vv.3-4

This is the second piece of advice Solomon gave regarding our responsibility to honor authority.

3 Be not hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases. 4 For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, “What are you doing?”

While it is true that our first and foremost obligation is to obey our authority, that does not mean there is never a time to appeal a particular decision or to suggest a different approach. In fact, often those in authority seek input and counsel, and even if they don’t chase down advice, a smart authority understands that he is benefited by good counselors (the point made in verse 1).

However, too many take the opportunity to share their perspective as removing their need to submit. They are asked by an authority to give their feedback or make suggestions and then apparently feel like this entitles them to the same authority and like their voice has become just as weighty as the king’s. But that is a major misinterpretation of the situation.

Here’s the point: sharing your perspective, even when it is requested and even if you’re right, does not make it your decision. You may have more information and insight than the king, it still isn’t your call. Your parents might seek your input, it is still their choice. The authority is responsible for what happens. You are responsible to the authority.

Ask our opinion and we think we’ll rule the world. That’s not how it works. Being permitted to play with the ball doesn’t mean we get to make the rules or that we can take the ball and go home in a huff.

That’s the exact attitude Solomon addresses in v.3. Be not hasty to go from his presence. The context is the king’s court, where the king has invited his counselors for input. When you’re asked, be wise and give good advise. But if the king doesn’t agree, don’t argue. If the king hears what you have to say and decides to go a different route, it’s not smart for you to storm out.

Think about how stupid that response is. It shows lack of perspective: you’re not the king. It shows lack of patience: you’re unwilling to wait. It shows lack of prudence: you’ve just left the best gig you’ve ever had. Not only did the king not do what you wanted today, you just lost your seat at the table tomorrow.

Now obviously with your parents or with teachers or bosses, you may get the opportunity again, but the principle remains: say what you need to say and then do what the authority says.

Some misunderstand their role and responsibility so arrogantly that not only do they leave in a hissy fit, then they plot a coup to overthrow the authority. But Solomon says, Do not take your stand in an evil cause. While that is true of any evil cause, the context is one of conspiring toward political treason and mutiny.

Misery loves company. People who feel like they’ve been mistreated or neglected or unappreciated find great comfort in a choir of like-minded complainers. And it isn’t too long before the whining about authority turns into scheming against authority.

But that is not a good or safe position. It is not good because it is wrong. It is not safe because, unless you’ve got all your ducks in a row, the king is still king and has power and resources to make you pay, for he does whatever he pleases. This is Solomon’s explanation for why the right attitude is so important. You will reap punishment if you sow rebellion.

Verse 4 builds higher, For the word of the king is supreme. His word stands at the top, His word carries the most weight, his word goes. And who may say to him, “What are you doing?” Someone might say that to him…once, but it just isn’t bright to correct the king. Others might take a more tactful approach, but even then, if you constantly question the authority, you will earn for yourself zero influence. It doesn’t work to question authority and in certain cases it may even be dangerous.

Our responsibility is to honor our authorities. The right behavior is obedience. The right attitude is humility and a proper understanding of our position.

3. The Right Timing and Approach vv.5-6

The wisest counsel given with the most humble attitude is still not always successful. Timing and approach are key.

5 Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. 6 For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him.

The first half of verse 5 sets the stage for the second half which provides the point. The issue at hand is right timing (and we’ll get to that in its time). But as important as timing is, let me remind you again that the best timing will not overcome disobedience. You can plan your approach and make all the arrangements to smooth the way for your suggestions, but if you haven’t been doing what the authority already said, why will they care what you say now? They won’t.

Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing. The standard formula works like this: you + obedience = no punishment. Happy kings are made by submitting subjects. Obedience is the best platform for persuasion. You want to influence your parents? Build a solid foundation of whole-hearted following. Then, not before then, you will have earned trust and opened ears to hear you. (Though as I already said, that still isn’t the same thing as giving you equal footing with your authority. It just means they are more likely to listen to you when you don’t fight everything they say.)

And don’t forget, the opposite of verse 5 is also true, whoever does not keep a command will know unpleasant consequences.

So remove obstacles to your opinion by obedience, then the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. This is all about how to maximize your influence. The wise heart considers and identifies windows of opportunity, he will know the proper time.

For some reason I always think about the space shuttle in this kind of discussion. NASA applies a ridiculous amount of computer nerd-ery with a ludicrous amount of money and straps an amount of fuel to the shuttle that I’m certain could power some small countries for over a year, and still it seems like if someone coughs the wrong way they postpone the launch. There is a small window of opportunity for success.

Certain times are better than others. You all have experienced this; you all react like this. It is not bright to begin your personal infomercial when the other person is busy. It doesn’t work when the other person is irritated or distracted or sleepy. Some people have big bay windows that seem open much of the time; others have small doll-house size windows that barely crack open. But if you don’t think about it and wait patiently for the best time, don’t expect much. Timing is key.

So is your approach. The wise heart will know…the just way. We’re not talking about lying and conniving and misrepresentation to get what you want. We’re talking about a righteous, humble, situationally appropriate approach. You will get nowhere by annoying or antagonizing.

We might remember Joseph with Potiphar and Pharoah. Esther with King Asuherus. Daniel in Babylon.

Don’t come pessimistic. Don’t approach arrogantly. Don’t challenge. Don’t criticize. Be positive. Be sweet. Be winsome. Be helpful.

Solomon concludes, For there is a time and a way for everything. Sometimes the right time is now, or maybe later, or maybe never. But the wise won’t waste their influence on a lost cause or in a foolish way.

Even with all that said, it still isn’t always easy. You can obey with a happy heart, you can give the best and wisest counsel, you can sweeten your speech like honey and make it smooth as oil, but it still is not guaranteed to work AND it still doesn’t change your responsibility to submit and respect.

There is a time for maximum influence, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him. The king may not listen even though you told him he’s headed for trouble (and taking you with him). The king may not lighten up even though you’ve appealed his discipline. Authorities don’t always make it easy. Life is hard under the sun under authority.

4. The Right Perspective vv.7-8

When things are difficult, especially when dealing with difficult authorities, the right perspective is crucial.

7 For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be? 8 No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it.

Life is bigger than both the king and his counselors. Though one has relative authority, neither one of them have ultimate authority. Only God has sovereignty. The word of the king has relative authority at best, since even he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be? Answer: no one. Neither the wisest king or the most insightful counselor can guarantee what’s going to happen.

The thing is, even if the king makes a call that you don’t like, neither of you knows what will happen tomorrow that might overturn it, or maybe next week or in 10 years.

In particular, four things are out of our control. No man has power to retain the spirit. There is a time to be born and a time to die. You will die, and both good and bad decisions are overruled by death. Second, no man has power over the day of death. Not only can someone not live forever, they can’t control when they die. You might be free from a heavy and hard authority sooner than you think. Third, there is no discharge from war. Fourth, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it.

In the work of following and influencing authority, don’t ever forget that God is in control. He is in control of who is in authority and how the person uses their authority. He is ultimately in control of whether you persuade or not. He is in control of how long and how bad/good things are.

And even though verses 7-8 don’t necessarily demonstrate how positive this perspective is, I think I’m going to expand on just now necessary and positive it is next week.

The Probability of Being Hurt by Authority (Final Bookend) v.9

Verse 9 provides the context and the conclusion.

9 All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt.

All of this Solomon saw for himself, All this I observed. He gave it his full attention, while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun. And he saw that when men get authority, they often use it in a way that hurts those under them: when men had power over man to his hurt.

I said last week, there are no perfect authorities except for God. No one has all wisdom (not even Solomon). No one is free from selfishness or blindness. The best authorities hurt others even if unintentionally.

And I remind you that in this context of hurtful authority, Solomon still says obey. Even when the authority is unfair, unjust, unkind, honor the authority God has put in place. It is not a mistake.

You may have opportunity to appeal and give input and offer good suggestions. You should do that as wisely and humbly and persuasively as possible. God may use you to make significant influence. He may not. It may be tough and it may be hard and hurtful.

That doesn’t mean you should give up. It means life under the sun is full of vanity and striving after wind. It also means that if our hope is in this life alone, we are the most miserable people on the planet.

Conclusion

Fearing the king prepares us to fear God (and fearing God prepares us to fear the king).

One of the reasons some of you are so miserable is because you have set yourself in direct opposition to God! You’re not thinking about it like that, but God takes our obedience to authority very seriously.

If you don’t know your role you won’t enjoy the process.