Do not hasten to leave his presence, and do not persist in a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. Do not be quickThe phrase "do not be quick" suggests a caution against haste and impulsiveness. In the Hebrew context, the word often implies a sense of urgency or rashness. The wisdom literature of the Bible frequently advises against hasty decisions, emphasizing the importance of patience and deliberation. This aligns with the broader biblical principle of seeking God's guidance and wisdom before acting. to leave his presence
"His presence" refers to the presence of a king or authority figure. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the presence of a king was considered sacred and powerful. Leaving a king's presence hastily could be seen as disrespectful or rebellious. Spiritually, this can be interpreted as a call to remain in God's presence, valuing the time spent with Him and not rushing away from divine guidance and fellowship. and do not persist
The word "persist" here implies stubbornness or obstinacy. In the Hebrew, it carries the connotation of continuing in a course of action despite knowing it is wrong. This serves as a warning against hard-heartedness and the refusal to heed wise counsel or correction, which is a recurring theme in the wisdom literature. in a bad cause
A "bad cause" refers to actions or decisions that are morally or ethically wrong. The Hebrew word for "bad" can also mean evil or harmful. This phrase warns against aligning oneself with unrighteous endeavors or supporting unjust actions. It underscores the biblical call to pursue righteousness and justice, avoiding complicity in wrongdoing. for he will do whatever he wants
This phrase acknowledges the sovereign power of the king, who has the authority to act according to his will. Historically, kings in the ancient world wielded significant power, often acting unilaterally. In a spiritual sense, this can be seen as a reminder of God's ultimate sovereignty. While earthly rulers have authority, God's will is supreme, and His purposes will ultimately prevail. This encourages believers to trust in God's perfect will and timing, even when human authority seems overwhelming. Persons / Places / Events 1. The KingRepresents authority and power, often seen as a figure of leadership and governance. In the context of Ecclesiastes, the king can symbolize earthly authority or God’s sovereign rule. 2. The SubjectThe individual in the presence of the king, representing those under authority who must navigate their relationship with power wisely. 3. The CourtThe setting where the king and his subjects interact, symbolizing the broader context of societal and governmental structures. Teaching Points Respect for AuthorityRecognize the importance of respecting those in positions of authority, as they are placed there by God’s sovereign will. Wisdom in Decision-MakingExercise discernment and patience when dealing with authority figures. Avoid hasty decisions that could lead to negative consequences. Avoiding RebellionUnderstand the dangers of persisting in a bad cause. Rebellion against rightful authority can lead to personal and communal harm. God’s SovereigntyTrust in God’s ultimate control over earthly authorities. Even when leaders act according to their own will, God’s purposes prevail. Prudent ConductConduct yourself wisely in the presence of authority, knowing that your actions and attitudes reflect your faith and character. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of respecting authority in Ecclesiastes 8:3 relate to the teachings in Romans 13:1-2? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of not persisting in a bad cause to our daily lives and decision-making processes? 3. How does understanding God’s sovereignty over earthly authorities provide comfort and guidance in times of political or social unrest? 4. What practical steps can we take to ensure we are conducting ourselves wisely in the presence of authority figures? 5. How can the teachings in 1 Peter 2:13-17 help us navigate our responsibilities as Christians in a secular society? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 24:21-22Advises fear of the Lord and the king, warning against rebellion, which aligns with the caution against persisting in a bad cause. Romans 13:1-2Discusses submission to governing authorities, emphasizing that resisting authority is akin to resisting God’s ordinance. 1 Peter 2:13-17Encourages submission to every human authority for the Lord’s sake, reinforcing the theme of respecting and honoring leadership. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Bad, Cause, Delay, Design, Evil, Fixed, Hasty, Hurry, Join, King's, Leave, Matter, Mayest, Persist, Pleases, Pleaseth, Pleasing, Presence, Quick, Sight, Stand, Troubled, Unpleasant, Whatever, WhatsoeverDictionary of Bible Themes Ecclesiastes 8:3 5883 impatience
5925 rashness Ecclesiastes 8:2-5 5257 civil authorities Library Misused Respite
'Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil'--ECCLES. viii. 11. When the Pharaoh of the Exodus saw there was respite, he hardened his heart. Abject in his fear before Moses, he was ready to promise anything; insolent in his pride, he swallows down his promises as soon as fear is eased, his repentance and his retractation of it combined to add new weights about his neck. He was but a conspicuous example of …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureFive Fears
Now, you will notice that fear may be yoked into the service of God. True fear, not fearing, but believing, saves the soul; not doubt, but confidence, is the strength and the deliverance of the Christian. Still, fear, as being one of those powers which God hath given us, is not in itself sinful. Fear may be used for the most sinful purposes; at the same time it may be so ennobled by grace, and so used for the service of God, that it may become the very grandest part of man. In fact, Scripture has …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857 The Wicked Man's Life, Funeral, and Epitaph
We shall this morning want you, first of all, to walk with a living man; it is said of him that he did "come and go from the place of the holy:" next, I shall want you to attend his funeral, and then, in conclusion I shall ask you to assist in writing his epitaph--"and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this also is vanity." I. In the first place, HERE IS SOME GOOD COMPANY FOR YOU; some with whom you may walk to the house of God, for it is said of them, that they did come and …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858 Whether Christ Should have Been Circumcised?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ should not have been circumcised. For on the advent of the reality, the figure ceases. But circumcision was prescribed to Abraham as a sign of the covenant concerning his posterity, as may be seen from Gn. 17. Now this covenant was fulfilled in Christ's birth. Therefore circumcision should have ceased at once. Objection 2: Further, "every action of Christ is a lesson to us" [*Innoc. III, Serm. xxii de Temp.]; wherefore it is written (Jn. 3:15): "I have given …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether in Loving God we Ought to Observe any Mode?
Objection 1: It would seem that we ought to observe some mode in loving God. For the notion of good consists in mode, species and order, as Augustine states (De Nat. Boni iii, iv). Now the love of God is the best thing in man, according to Col. 3:14: "Above all . . . things, have charity." Therefore there ought to be a mode of the love of God. Objection 2: Further, Augustine says (De Morib. Eccl. viii): "Prithee, tell me which is the mode of love. For I fear lest I burn with the desire and love of …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Literature.
i. editions of chrysostom's works. S. Joannis Chrysostomi, archiepiscopi Constantinopolitani, Opera omnia quæ exstant vel quæ ejus nomine circumferuntur, ad mss. codices Gallicos, Vaticanos, Anglicos, Germanicosque castigata, etc. Opera et studio D.Bernardi de Montfaucon, monachi ordinis S. Benedicti e congregatione S. Mauri, opem ferentibus aliis ex codem sodalitio, monachis. Greek and Latin, Paris, 1718-'38, in 13 vols., fol. This is the best edition, and the result of about twenty …
St. Chrysostom—On the Priesthood Concerning Jonathan, one of the Sicarii, that Stirred up a Sedition in Cyrene, and was a False Accuser [Of the Innocent].
1. And now did the madness of the Sicarii, like a disease, reach as far as the cities of Cyrene; for one Jonathan, a vile person, and by trade a weaver, came thither and prevailed with no small number of the poorer sort to give ear to him; he also led them into the desert, upon promising them that he would show them signs and apparitions. And as for the other Jews of Cyrene, he concealed his knavery from them, and put tricks upon them; but those of the greatest dignity among them informed Catullus, …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem A Few Sighs from Hell;
or, The Groans of the Damned Soul: or, An Exposition of those Words in the Sixteenth of Luke, Concerning the Rich Man and the Beggar WHEREIN IS DISCOVERED THE LAMENTABLE STATE OF THE DAMNED; THEIR CRIES, THEIR DESIRES IN THEIR DISTRESSES, WITH THE DETERMINATION OF GOD UPON THEM. A GOOD WARNING WORD TO SINNERS, BOTH OLD AND YOUNG, TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION BETIMES, AND TO SEEK, BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, TO AVOID, LEST THEY COME INTO THE SAME PLACE OF TORMENT. Also, a Brief Discourse touching the …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Ecclesiastes
It is not surprising that the book of Ecclesiastes had a struggle to maintain its place in the canon, and it was probably only its reputed Solomonic authorship and the last two verses of the book that permanently secured its position at the synod of Jamnia in 90 A.D. The Jewish scholars of the first century A.D. were struck by the manner in which it contradicted itself: e.g., "I praised the dead more than the living," iv. 2, "A living dog is better than a dead lion," ix. 4; but they were still more …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ecclesiastes 8:3 NIVEcclesiastes 8:3 NLTEcclesiastes 8:3 ESVEcclesiastes 8:3 NASBEcclesiastes 8:3 KJV
Ecclesiastes 8:3 Commentaries
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