Ecclesiastes 8:1-9

1. Read Ecclesiastes 8:1–4. Verse 8:2 links obedience to civic leaders with the reminder that God is inseparably involved in the whole situation. Romans 13:1 says, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” How should the reminder of God’s sovereignty reframe your posture toward politics today?
2. Read Ecclesiastes 8:5–9 and discuss some general observations about the passage.
3. Living in a fallen world means living with a complicated relationship to our government leaders. To what degree are you letting wisdom—not anger, hopelessness, or fear of man—shape your thinking, feelings, and actions at this particular political moment?
4. 1 Peter 2:15–17 says, “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” Meditate on these verses for a moment. Noting that Peter said this at a time when the emperor was a tyrannical persecutor of Christians, what could it look like for you to live the exhortation of 1 Peter 2:15–17 in this season of life?
5. Proverbs 2:6 says, “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” After reflecting for a few moments, go to God in prayer, putting James 1:5 into practice.