8 If you see oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be shocked at the sight; for one official watches over another official, and there are higher officials over them. 9 After all, a king who cultivates the field is an advantage to the land. Ecclesiastes 5:8–9
A change in administration is an opportunity to clean house and start over. We are at that juncture right now. Yet if you’ve been around long enough, rarely is this done. Solomon talks of the evils brought about by “officials” (“high ones”) watching over “officials” under them and the even higher “officials” watching over them. These evils? Oppression of the poor and the denial of justice and righteousness.
Oppression can mean mistreatment or extortion here. Both are clearly exhibited in instances where there is a government established to rule over people. Power and control is not often wielded benevolently but ruthlessly and mercilessly. We should not be shocked or surprised by this.
Our only hope is what the king does to enrich his own holdings (or self) benefits society as a result. If an aqueduct to be named after him is constructed to irrigate his own fields, as a byproduct, ours will be as well. We can only hope and pray for a benevolent rather than a malevolent dictator who allows us to tap in.
The “high ones” always seem to remain ensconced in their paneled offices up to no good.
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