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Honor to Whom Honor Is Due Ecclesiastes 8:1-8 Helmuth Von

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Honor to Whom Honor Is Due Ecclesiastes 8:1-8 Helmuth Von Honor to Whom Honor is Due Ecclesiastes 8:1-8 Helmuth von Moltke was a lawyer in Germany in the 1930’s and early 1940’s. He was an expert in international law and lectured widely throughout Europe before the start of World War II. When World War II broke out, he was conscripted by the Nazi Party to work in the field of counterintelligence. This created a great conflict in von Moltke’s mind and heart. As a follower of Christ, he was a staunch opponent of Adolf Hitler and his flagrant abuse of power. What would von Moltke do? He believed it was wrong to use violent force against the Nazis. Instead, he used his influence to form a resistance group called the Kreisau Circle. The mission of the Kreisau Circle was to inform western allies about the political and military weaknesses of the Third Reich – hoping it would lead to the demise of Hitler’s reign in Germany. Months before the end of World War II, the Gestapo learned of the subversive work of von Moltke and his associates. He was arrested, put on trial, found guilty of treason and was sentenced to be executed. In his final letter to his beloved wife Freya, von Moltke described the dramatic moment at his trial when the judge launched into a tirade against his faith in Christ. The judge shouted, “Only in one respect does National Socialism resemble Christianity. We also demand total allegiance.” The judge then asked von Moltke: “From whom do you take your orders? From Adolf Hitler or from another world?” Von Moltke testified he was unwavering in his loyalty to Jesus Christ. He was executed by the Gestapo on January 23, 1945. Helmuth von Moltke is remembered as a man who chose to obey God instead of pledging his allegiance to an evil regime. All of us are painfully aware that we’re living in a time of great social and political upheaval – not only here in the United States, but we see it happening all around the world. In this country, respect for authority is trending toward an all-time low. Many people have lost their respect for politicians. The anger that people today have toward elected officials is palpable – so much so, that politicians are avoiding their constituents. Many people have lost their respect for those charged with task of enforcing law. Police officers are stereotyped as abusive bullies –and even worse. People have lost respect for those of a different race and culture. We see a loss of respect in our homes, in our schools, in our 2 relationships and in other institutions. A recent survey revealed that 80% of Americans believe that a lack of respect is a serious problem in our culture. As we return to our study in the book of Ecclesiastes this morning, we come to a passage that’s highly relevant for the times in which we live. As the people of God, how are we to relate to the rulers and authoritative structures of this world? What does the Bible say about this? It may surprise you to learn that the Bible actually has a lot to say about this subject. Let’s turn in our Bible’s to Ecclesiastes chapter 8. While you’re finding that passage, I think it’s important to note that Christians sometimes struggle to find a balance with this issue. On one hand, some believers turn completely away from any kind of involvement with the state. Some choose not to vote – some even refuse to pay taxes because they believe their tax money is used for immoral purposes. Others take the opposite extreme. They believe the role of government is to usher in the kingdom of God. They believe the spiritual decay of our culture can be reversed by electing Christians into public office. Solomon was one of the wisest men to have ever lived. As the King of Israel, he was also unrivaled in his power and authority. 3,000 years ago, he gave us some very wise counsel on how to navigate living under earthly authority – while also living under God’s authority. We’re going to look at this 8th chapter of Ecclesiastes with broad brushstrokes. The first lesson we see in this 8th chapter is a command to: 1. Respect human authority. Follow along with me as I read verses 2- 6: Obey the king since you vowed to God that you would. 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. His command is backed by great power. No one can resist or question it. Those who obey him will not be punished. Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right, for there is a time and a way for everything, even when a person is in trouble. 3 I’d like to start this morning by sharing a general principle. The Bible reveals that God has sovereignly chosen to work in this world through various structures of authority. This is why, in the Scriptures, we read about kings who wield political authority. We read about prophets and priests who wield spiritual authority. We read about Jesus submitting Himself to doing the will of the Father throughout His earthly life. Paul, Peter and others command believers to respect their governmental rulers. Children are commanded to honor their parents. As believers, we’re commanded to work wholeheartedly for our employer – as if we’re working for Jesus, Himself. In verse 2, Solomon tells us that God has willed for us to submit to earthly authorities. Back in the day, the people of Israel took a vow of allegiance to their king and country. We don’t have time to delve into this, but write down 2 Kings chapter 11 on your outline and read it later. It tells the story of how the people of God took an oath before the Lord to be loyal to King Jehoiadah. He, in turn, took an oath before the Lord and pledged to love, serve and lead God’s people. We do a similar thing in our own Pledge of Allegiance. God is an integral part of the oath we take: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, UNDER GOD, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Romans chapter 13 is one of the definitive texts in the Bible that talks about how we, as believers, should relate to our government. It echoes what Solomon talks about here in chapter 8. Paul wrote these words: Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. 4 In a similar vein, Peter wrote these words in his first letter to the early church: For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. These passages tell us that God has established human government and gives it a certain degree of authority. Do you remember when Jesus was put on trial and was forced to stand before Pontius Pilate? Pilate was vexed that Jesus wouldn’t answer his questions. At one point, he shouted at Jesus: “Don't you realize I have the power to crucify you or the power to release you?” Do you remember what Jesus said to him? He said: “You would have no power at all unless God had given it to you.” Jesus recognized that even Pilate had been given a certain degree of power from above. God has instituted human government – and He uses it to provide law and order, to restrain evil and to promote social order. Now – are there times when we, as followers of Christ, should disobey governing authorities? Absolutely. I believe civil disobedience is proper when a government forces us to do something that God expressly forbids – and it’s proper when we’re forbidden from doing something God has expressly commanded. When the kingdoms of earth and the kingdom of heaven collide – we’re called to obey God. In the 1930s when Adolf Hitler rose to power - he hated Jews and had millions of them rounded up and shipped off to concentration camps to be exterminated. Many Christians throughout Europe made a courageous decision to disobey the government and hide Jews in their homes. Some believers were caught doing this and paid the ultimate price. In the book of Exodus, the Pharaoh issued a decree that all of the midwives were to kill every Hebrew male child as soon as they were born.
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