Managing Political Power Righteously

Word-Of-The-Day: ‘(8) If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still.’ (Ecclesiastes 5:8)

Solomon is considered to be the author of Ecclesiastes, and the context of the first six chapters is an introspection Solomon provides on life overall, and finds without God life becomes meaningless.  The last six chapters are more like an extension of Proverbs, giving sound advice on how to live Righteously.  Ecclesiastes 5:8-20 is an introspection on wealth, what it means and how to manage it from both a governmental institutional perspective as well as a personal perspective.  Solomon had insight into both, as he was likely one of the richest men in his day as king of Israel & Judah (before the split of the kingdoms caused by his son Rehoboam). 

Verse 8 is particularly telling for what is happening today in the United States, especially in California, Washington state, and New York and also within our Federal Government.  Solomon, being the wise king, saw how a little power given to an official often corrupts that official into taking more power than they (should) have.  Often oppressive power from a leader provides opportunity for lesser officials to be oppressive in their power.  Left unopposed, the havoc laid down can have a ripple effect on all.  The poor may not necessarily be ‘poor’ in terms of money but ‘poor’ in terms of power.  We see in many cases those who have political and legal power can trump those who have money but no such power, and even more so power can trump those who have no money and no power.  Recent judgements over prominent figures like former President Trump and Elon Musk prove Solomon’s words to be accurate in their cases. 

The ripple effect is when those who have power unrighteously and wrongly rule against those who are successful fail to realize the cascading effect that rolls down to the employees, and those business owners who run away to avoid a similar fate.  As is usually the case, these rulings are out of greed or jealousy, a ‘if I can’t have that, why should you’ mentality.  It is a short-sighted mentality, though.  In Israel, Rehoboam’s unrighteous rule caused the schism that separated Israel from Judah.  Today businesses are leaving heavily regulated and highly taxed states for ones whose ‘yokes’ are less burdensome.  It is slowly dividing our nation between states with excessive burdens and states without such burdens, and the exodus of businesses and people from California, New York, and Illinois to the ‘Sun Belt’ states has been seen growing in recent years.

As both citizens and Believers, we need to recognize those who we choose to represent us hold Godly values, not to rule in favor of greed or jealousy but in Righteousness, and to appoint officials who will use their power not to deny justice but to uphold it, and have the wisdom to fully understand implications of their rulings.  They need to be fearless and ensure justice without vindictiveness or envy.   For those who may have such power in a governmental format, it needs to be understood that while positional power may trump those without it, God’s power justly trumps all earthly power and in the end make all things proper.