If You See the Oppression of the Poor - Ecclesiastes 5:8

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear you God”, and in chapter five and verse eight of his book Solomon said, “if you see the oppression of the poor … marvel not at the matter”, where we read,

If you see the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regards; and there be higher than they.

The verse reads, “If you see the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter:” Solomon began with the words, “if you see the oppression” or “whether and in case you, Solomon’s readers, notice, discern, perceive and observe the extortion, injury, fraud, distress and cruelty” “of the poor” which means “pertaining to the impoverished, lacking and those in want ”, “and violent perverting” or “and plunderous process” “of judgment” which means “pertaining to ordinance, procedure and litigation” “and justice in a province” or “and moral and legal rightness within a district, judgeship or region”, “marvel not at the matter” or “do not be astounded, stunned, amazed or dumbfounded concerning the delight, longing or good pleasure.” Solomon instructed his readers that in case they observed extortion and cruelty to impoverished people and plundering injustice and moral unrighteousness within a district, they were not to be astounded or dumbfounded by the longing and good pleasure.

The verse continues, “for he that is higher than the highest regards; and there be higher than they.” Solomon added the words, “for he that is higher” or “because, since and on account that he, the person who is as follows, who exists as more powerful” “than the highest regards” which means “compared to the one who is powerful guards, observes, gives heed and has charge over”; “and there be higher than they” or “and there exists others who are more powerful than the previously recognized ones”. Solomon shared about the progressively more powerful people who rule over those who extort and plunder the impoverished, and those rulers are under others who are more powerful than they.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how there is accountability for every person who plunders the poor and are cruel to them especially in cases of the law and justice. Every person has superiors to them, and ultimately Jehovah God is the Divine Judge over everyone. God knows we are separated from a personal relationship with Him by our sins, and for this reason He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. He resurrected Jesus from the grave after three days, and when we surrender our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and to empower us to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him and gives regard to the impoverishment of the “poor” and the injustice they face by those who rule over them. (See John 16:13; Acts 1:8)

Next time Solomon says, “the profit of the earth is for all”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".