Subjection to Authority

A particular instance of wisdom pressed upon us, and that is subjection to authority, and a dutiful and peaceable perseverance in our allegiance to the government which Providence has set over us.
How the duty of subjects is described in Ecc. 8.
I counsel you that you might do both; Keep the monarchy 's commandment, yet so as to have a regard to the oath of G-d, that is, so as to keep a good conscience and not to violate your obligations to G-d, which are prior and superior to your obligations to the leader. Render to Cesar the things that are Cesar’s, but so as to reserve pure and entire to G-d the things that are His.
We must be observant of the laws of the land. In all those things wherein the civil power is to interject, whether legislative or judicial, we ought to submit to its order and constitutions.
Keep the monarchy 's commandments (the leader you have chosen over you), for he has sworn to rule you in the fear of G-d, and you have sworn, in that fear, to be faithful to him. It is called the oath of
G-d because He is a witness to it and will avenge the violation of it.
You have sworn obedience to him; keep your oath, for the engagement was made in the presence of
G-d.
Do not stand in an evil thing.
If you have done wrong, do not endeavor to vindicate yourself before him; it is of no use; his power is absolute, and he will do what he pleases. He will take his own view of the subject, and he will retain it. I will this. I command that. No hesitation! My will is Law! Therefore it is added here, where the word of a monarchy is, there is power-influence, authority, and the sword.
And who may say unto him, whether he acts right or wrong, What do You?
No wonder in such governments there are many revolutions; but they are revolutions without adjustment, as it is one tyrant rising up to destroy another, who, when seated in authority, acts in the way of his predecessor; till another, like himself, do to him as he has done to the former.
In our country, after a long trial, we find that a mixed monarchy is the safest, best, and most useful form of government: we have had, it is true, unprincipled ministers, who wished to turn our limited into an absolute monarchy; and they were always ready to state that an absolute monarchy was best.
Granted; provided the monarch be as wise, as holy, and as powerful as G-D!
His power is uncontrollable.
We must not be forward to find fault with the public administration, or quarrel with every thing that is not just according to our mind, nor quit our post of service under the government, and throw it up, upon every discontent.
Be not hasty to go out of his sight, when he is displeased at you, or when you are displeased at him; fly not off in a passion, nor entertain such jealousies of him as will tempt you to renounce the court or forsake the kingdom.
Where the word of an authority is, giving orders to seize a man, there is power; there are many that will execute his orders, which makes the wrath of a monarch, or supreme government, like the roaring of a lion and like messengers of death. He that contradicts him does it at his peril. Monarchs will not bear to have their orders disputed, but expect they should be obeyed. In short, it is dangerous contending with sovereignty, and what many have repented. There may perhaps be a just cause to go out of his sight; but be not hasty to do it; act with great deliberation.
To preserve life literally, keep alive means simply to prolong one’s life span within natural limits. Thus here he illustrates one of the ways wisdom can function to help the wise avoid a premature end. When the monarch to whom you have sworn loyalty commands you to do something you have to do it even if it is distasteful to you, unless it goes against the Law of G-d. No one can question the monarch’s orders, but wisdom will help you to know the time and way to make the best of a bad situation.
We must not persist in a fault when it is shown us: Stand not in an evil thing; in any offense you have given to your authority, humble yourself, and do not justify yourself, for that will make the offense much more offensive. In any ill design you have, upon some discontent, conceived against your authority, do not proceed in it; but if you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, or hast thought evil, you’re your hand upon your mouth, Prov. 30:32. For the sake of our own comfort: Whoso keeps the commandment, and lives a quiet and peaceable life, shall feel no evil thing, to which that of the Romans 13:3 answers, Wilt you then not be afraid of the power of the authority?
Do that which is good, as becomes a dutiful and loyal subject, and you shall ordinarily have praise of the same. He that does no ill shall feel no ill and needs fear none. Though we may by surprise be drawn into an evil thing, yet we must not stand in it, but recede from it as soon as it appears to us to be evil.
We must prudently accommodate ourselves to our opportunities, both for our own relief, if we think ourselves wronged, and for the redress of public grievances.
A man's wisdom will go a great way, by the blessing of G-d, in moral prognostications; but here he shows that few have that wisdom, and that even the wisest may yet be surprised by a calamity which they had not any foresight of, and therefore it is our wisdom to expect and prepare for sudden changes.
Discerns both time and judgment is the wisdom of subjects, in applying themselves to their authority, to enquirer and consider both at what season and in what manner they may do it best and most effectually, to pacify his anger, obtain his favor, or obtain the revocation of any grievous measure prescribed.
Esther, in dealing with Ahasuerus, took a deal of pains to discern both time and judgment, and she sped accordingly. This may be taken as a general rule of wisdom, that every thing should be well timed; and our enterprises are then likely to succeed, when we embrace the exact opportunity for them.
And in what manner we must keep the commands of G-d.
The neglect of the right times causes much of the sinful folly of the spiritually unwise. But as G-d's future judgment is connected with the time for every purpose. The punishment of persisting sinners in verse 3 suggests it. The wise man realizes the fact, that as there is a fit time for every purpose, so for the judgment. This thought cheers him in adversity.
It is a matter of great importance to be able to discern WHEN and HOW both to speak and act; but when time and manner are both determined, the matter comes next. WHAT shall I speak? WHAT shall I do? When, how, and what, answer to time, manner, and matter.
To discern all these, and act suitably, is a lesson for a philosopher and a study for a Believer (2 Tim. 2:15).
Rule over another spoken of rulers generally, who, instead of feeding, fleece the flock; tyrants and oppressors, who come to an untimely end by their mismanagement of the offices of the state.
There are some monarchs, who use their power tyrannically, whereby they not only oppress their people, but hurt themselves, bringing the vengeance of G-d upon their own heads. The tyrannical ruler hurts not merely his subjects, but himself; but the time of hurt chiefly refers to eternal ruin, incurred by wickedness, at the day of death, and the time of judgment.
When I applied mine heart to know wisdom to observe man's toils after happiness (some of them so incessant as not to allow sufficient time for sleep), the apodosis I saw that man cannot find out the reason of G-d's inscrutable dealings with the just and with the wicked; His duty is to agree in them as good, because they are G-d's, though He sees not all the reasons for them (Ps. 73:16). It is enough to know the righteous are in G-d's hand. G-d governs the world; but we cannot see the reasons of His conduct, nor know why He does this, omits that, or permits a third thing. We may study night and day, and deprive ourselves of rest and sleep, but we shall never fathom the depths that are in the Divine government; but all is right and just. Eternity is at hand; and then shall every man receive according to his works. He that spends his life in the eat, drink, and play, will find in that day that he has lost the time in which he could have prepared for eternity.
Wake up and notice what is going on.