In God’s world, brothers, we are men. We are not women. We are no longer children. We are men. None of us planned it. None of us decided we would be men. God has decided that we are what we are.
What are we like as men? How do we relate? How do we get on? How would you describe our interactions?
The first reality of our lives together is that we are brothers. We have a common father, Adam. And so like Cain and Abel, we are brothers.
From one man God made every nation of men (Acts 17)
One would expect that the fact we are brothers would lead to love. The word ‘philadelphia’ in Greek means ‘brotherly love’. We name our cities after brotherly love. And our world is not bereft of brotherly love. We each of us have good friends, mates, brothers. I would wager that each of us, in some way, has been shown kindness and love by a brother. I doubt we would come to a meeting like this otherwise. We’d be too cinical to turn up.
But like Cain and Abel, we live in a sinful world. Sin has entered God’s good world, and has tainted and wrecked everything. There is now evil in our world. And so, sometimes we men are Cains, and sometimes we are Abels. Men now are jealous, competitive. They fight to get the supremacy, the upper hand, the resources, the honour. And because there is a winner, there is more often than not a loser. Cain slays his brother, and Abel lies dead on the ground.
I’ve loosely titled my talk today about leadership. As men, we are all called to lead. We are called to play our part in work and at home. We are called to lead our wives and children in God’s ways, in righteousness and holiness.
But we are also all called to follow. The best of leaders amongst us needs also to be an even better follower. The Centurion who came up to Jesus said, ‘I too am a man under authority’. And Jesus, though being God of all, willingly submitted to his Father.
We are called to lead, and be the best leaders we can be. But the best leaders are the best followers.
You will remember that our teacher, Qohelet, who looks for all the world like Solomon, is conducting an experiment. He is looking at the world under the sun. In his experiment, he puts blinkers on himself. He looks at our world, oftentimes without reference to God. And he asks himself, what is worth doing and pursuing.
At different occasions he remembers the truth of God. He puts up his periscope. He sees God there, and the fact of God informs his actions and his thinking. But we must see that Qohelet also takes his experiments to their logical end. He completes them fully, before he then looks up to see God.
And so Qohelet, our Teacher, observes oppression. Oppression has always been here, since Cain slew Abel. One man rules over another to his hurt.
In fact, Solomon not only would have seen it. He also would have caused it. You will remember that all of his building projects required forced labour. So that after he died, his subjects came to his son Rehoboam and asked for relief from their relentless labour. This oppression was the very thing that Samuel warned the people of when they asked for a king.
Do we have oppression in our society? Of course we do. Last night on TodayTonight. There were the three men who had been screwed by their large bank. Apparently the court said that the bank never had any intention to honour it’s promise. They unilaterally and in breach of contract put up their interest rates. Then attempted to sell the borrowers house. And used the legal processes simply as tools of their oppression. These are real things that happen in our world.
Solomon as King caused it. And Solomon as Qohelet, as Teacher of the congregation, observed it. So in chapter 4 verses 1 to 3, he sees the tragedy of it.
4:1 Then I turned and saw all the oppression that is done under the sun. And I saw the tears of the oppressed, and that they had no comforter. And on the side of their oppressors there was power, but they had no comforter. 2 Therefore, I congratulated the dead who have already died more than the living who are still alive. 3 But even better than them both is he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
Qohelet, in his experiment, sees that oppression happens, and those who are oppressed suffer. Power is on the side of the oppressors. They own the courts, the judicial system. And he says it is to be expected. Look with me at chapter 5 verses 8 to 9:
5:8If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away [good] judgment and justice in a province, do not be amazed at the thing. For a higher official watches over another, and there are higher officials still. 9 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all. The king himself is served by the field.
Solomon as King set up this system, and watched it play out. And just as God said, there are the King’s officials and governors, fat cats, munching away, living off the fat of the land, riding on the backs of the people doing the work. Of course it works this way. Why is it that at least some of the parliamentarians superannuation comes from general revenue? It is unaffected by the GFC[1]. Because it can be topped up from the public purse. This is just the way that it is. And God said it would be like this, when Israel asked for a King.
Now, we might get bitter and twisted about these things. But that is not going to solve anything really. And that is not the attitude that God and Jesus wants us to adopt.
The bible urges us to submit to authority. Each of us is a follower, a man under authority. And Qohelet observes that submitting to authority is wisdom. Thus, in chapter 8 verses 2 to 6:
8:2 I counsel you, Keep the king's command, and for the reason of the oath of God. 3 Do not be hasty to go from his presence. Do not persist in a bad matter, for he does whatever pleases him. 4 For the king's word has power; and who may say to him, ‘What are you doing?’ 5 Whoever keeps the commandment shall not experience an evil thing, and a wise man's heart knows [the proper] timing and [good] judgment, 6 because for every matter there is a time and judgment, even when a man’s misery is greatly [weighing] upon him.
Obey the King. Stand with him. Be careful what you talk to him about. In fact, be careful what you think about the King. Chapter 10 verse 20:
Do not curse the king, not even in your thoughts, and do not curse the rich in your bedroom, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, and that which has wings will speak of the matter.
In other words, those in power are to be respected. There is a place to call power to account. We must not fear men, but God. But as institutions under God, we must give them the proper respect. So Paul says in Romans 13:
1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (NIV)
Paul wrote this about wicked pagan emperors, one of whom would in the end behead him. Likewise, Peter wrote this in 1 Peter 2:
13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. (NIV)
It’s now tax time. We can be bitter and twisted. We can be upset at the waste and unfairness that we see. Especially if we don’t get a tax refund. But there is a different way. We can remember that our governments under God are a blessing. Yes, there is oppression and inequality. We are not blind to all this.
But we as Christians look beyond what we see. We see that God stands behind our governments. And God is bringing about good things, even when our governments do wrong things.
And so we support our governments, pray for our governments, honour and respect them for the work that they do. And as we drive along the roads or call out the police, or have a heritage order slapped on our buildings, or have to jump yet another hoop when we want to get our tree cut down, our to build something, we can sincerely and thankfully say: ‘Thanks Father, that you’ve given us government. ‘That we can live in a peaceful and quiet country. ‘Thanks, and please help me obey the governments you have established.’
While we are submissive to authority, we are not blind to reality. Leaders can be foolish. And so can the led. And even good leadership might not be recognized. For we live in a sinful and broken world. Our true King, Jesus Christ, is not yet seen for who he is. And so Government and leadership is a mixed blessing, both for the leaders and the led. The leader may not be appreciated. And the led may be fickle. We see this in Ecclesiastes chapter 4 verses 13-16:
13 Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who no longer knows how to receive advice. 14 For he came out of prison to be king, even though in his own kingdom he was born poor. 15 I saw that all the living who walk under the sun were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his place. 16 There was no end to all the people, all of those over whom he was [ruling]. Yet they that come after shall not take pleasure in him. Surely this also is vapour and a striving after wind.
Here we are presented with an interesting scenario. First, there is a foolish King. He will not take good advice. Scripture has many examples of such: Rehoboam, who rejected the advice of the wise elders, and so lost half the kingdom. Nebuchadnezzar, who doesn’t follow Daniel’s advice to renounce his sins and be kind to the oppressed (Daniel 4:27), and so God humbles him with insanity for 7 years until he acknowledged that God in heaven, not he, rules.
Then an obscure but wise leader rises up. He is poor, and comes from prison. He might be like Joseph, an imprisoned and maligned foreign slave, who saved not only Egypt, but the ancient world. Likewise, this young man offers good leadership. And he gathers people around him.
But the third thing we are told is that the good leader becomes unpopular. Afterwards, no one takes pleasure in him. Popularity is fickle, especially in politics. And this good young man, who put his hand up to lead his people, becomes a byword.
And so, if you were looking at life ‘under the sun’, if you kept your periscope down and just looked at life without reference to eternity, you would say, ‘What’s the point offering leadership’. ‘The ungrateful sods won’t thank you for it, in the end’. ‘It’s easier just to live a life of quiet obscurity’. That’s what Moses wanted. ‘God, send someone else’. What is it that Moses kept saying about the people but they were a stiff knecked people. I’m sure Elijah or Jeremiah would have preferred a life of obscurity rather than leadership.
The Teacher gives a similar example in Ecclesiastes chapter 9 verse 13:
9:13 I have also seen [this example] of wisdom under the sun, and it greatly impressed me. 14 There was a little city, and few men within it. And a great king came against it, and besieged it, and built great siege works against it. 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and by his wisdom he delivered the city. Yet no man remembered that same poor man. 16 Then I said, Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless, the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. 17 The words of the wise spoken in quiet are heard more than the cry of him that rules among fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war. But one sinner destroys much good.
Here again we see the dilemma for the leader. Wise leadership is necessary and saves many lives. And wise leadership may come from unexpected sources. For example, the poor wise man again in this case is the hero[2]. But then he suffers ingratitude. His wisdom is not remembered. All the good he did for the city is forgotten. And his words are not heard.
Here is the danger if you offer leadership. If you are a good leader, all the good you might have done might be forgotten under the sun. History might be unkind to you. Because remember, this is life under the sun.
Elijah was pursued until he despaired of life. Jeremiah was not listened to. Moses lived a frustrated life with a stiff knecked people who wouldn’t follow Yahweh whole heartedly.
But under the sun is not all there is. Because remember, this is an experiment. And there is a God in heaven who judges properly. Not like men, who are so fickle, but with wisdom and knowledge and truth.
This is the difference that being a Christian brings. Because ultimately, we play to an audience of one. We are not concerned with what we can get away with. We are concerned with doing right.
And so the teacher, in one of those ‘up periscope’ moments, reminds us this. In chapter 8 verses 12 to 13:
8:12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and [still] prolongs his days, yet surely I know that it will go well with those who fear God, because they fear in his presence. 13 But it shall not go well with the wicked, nor shall he prolong his days, which are like a shadow; because he does not fear before God.
Sinners can and do get away with it. The teacher has seen it. Not all of them are caught and brought to justice under the sun. And even for those that are, justice is partial and very hit and miss.
But still, the Teacher has a conviction. The sinner will not ultimately win. The sinner will not get away with it forever.
Why? Because of God. Because life under the sun is short. And then there is a reckoning, an accounting before God, where sin will either be confessed and forgiven because of Jesus death and resurrection, or it will be punished eternally. That is why the teachers bottom line is judgment day. Chapter 12 verses 13 to 14.
12:13 This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.
Obeying God is the bottom line. No-one will get away with anything on that day.
And so, what is the wise way to lead?
First, it is to recognize your own sin. Chapter 7 verses 20-22 says:
20 Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that does good, and does not sin. 21 Also, don’t listen to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you. 22 For your own heart knows that often you yourself have similarly cursed others.
We are sinful ourselves. So we should expect sin in others. And we should be ready to forgive others. We should forgive the servant that curses us, because we have cursed others. We should forgive so we can be forgiven. And we should forgive us Christ has forgiven us. We pray for a reason, ‘forgive us our sins as we forgive those who’ve sinned against us’.
Second, we should avoid corruption. We read in chapter 7 verse 7:
Surely extortion makes a wise man foolish, and a bribe destroys the understanding.
So we ourselves need to be honest and righteous in our dealings.
Third, because people are evil like us, there is a place, when we have the authority, to execute punishment swiftly.
8:11 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.
There is a place for mercy, but there is also a place for punishment. And we need to exercise this, whether at home, or work, or wherever we are given authority.
And fourth, leadership is not about selfishness, but service. So chapter 10 verses 16 to 17:
10:16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning! 17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat at the right time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
Here we are, eating in the morning. But hopefully we are eating for strength. The point here is that the princes are not just partying all the time. They get up in the morning and party their way through to evening.
Men and brothers, each of us have some authority in some sphere of life. And we are called on to use that authority for service. The freedoms we are given are given us to serve others, not to serve ourselves.
And what better example do we have but Jesus? What better Captain and Leader do we have but him? He was equal with God. But made himself nothing, becoming a man and dying on the cross to free us from sin. He did because he saw there was more to life under the sun than what his eyes saw. He looked at the eternal glory and wonder of being the first born among many brothers. And we are called to offer the same servant leadership that Jesus Christ did. And in being servant leaders, what are we doing but being good followers of the Christ.
Let’s pray.
[1] http://polliespay.greens.org.au/super
[2] The teacher also says there is something about a leader being from noble stock. Nobility should not be despised. Thus chapter 10:5-7: There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler. 6 Folly is given great dignity, and the rich sit in low places. 7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants on the ground.