Wisdom 6:1-16: a reflection

1Hear therefore, you kings, and understand. Learn, you judges of the ends of the earth. 2Give ear, you rulers who have dominion over many people, and make your boast in multitudes of nations, 3because your dominion was given to you from the Lord, and your sovereignty from the Most High. He will search out your works, and will inquire about your plans, 4because being officers of his kingdom, you didn’t judge rightly, nor did you keep the law, nor did you walk according to God’s counsel. 5He will come upon you awfully and swiftly, because a stern judgment comes on those who are in high places. 6For the man of low estate may be pardoned in mercy, but mighty men will be mightily tested. 7For the Sovereign Lord of all will not be impressed with anyone, neither will he show deference to greatness; because it is he who made both small and great, and cares about them all; 8but the scrutiny that comes upon the powerful is strict. 9Therefore, my words are to you, O princes, that you may learn wisdom and not fall away. 10For those who have kept the things that are holy in holiness will be made holy. Those who have been taught them will find what to say in defense. 11Therefore set your desire on my words. Long for them, and you princes will be instructed. 12Wisdom is radiant and doesn’t fade away; and is easily seen by those who love her, and found by those who seek her. 13She anticipates those who desire her, making herself known. 14He who rises up early to seek her won’t have difficulty, for he will find her sitting at his gates. 15For to think upon her is perfection of understanding, and he who watches for her will quickly be free from care; 16because she herself goes around, seeking those who are worthy of her, and in their paths she appears to them graciously, and in every purpose she meets them.

This passage addresses those who hold authority over others, and reminds them of a sobering truth: their authority was given to them by God, and they will be held accountable to him for how they used it. Your dominion was given to you from the Lord, it says; he will search out your works, and will inquire about your plans. Those in high position are not free to use their authority as they please; they hold it from God, and must answer to him for how they exercised it, whether they judged rightly and served those under them.

Notice the truth pressed on those who hold authority: it is given by God, and accountable to him. Whatever authority a person holds, over others, in any sphere, it is not simply their own to use as they will; it is given by God, held from him, and they must answer to him for how they used it. God will search out the works and inquire into the plans of those he has entrusted with authority; they are accountable to him. Authority is a trust from God, to be exercised in a way that will bear his scrutiny, not a possession to be used as one pleases.

That is worth taking to heart, for we too, in whatever authority or influence we hold, are accountable to God for it. Whatever authority we have, over a family, a team, any who are under us, we hold it from God and must answer to him for how we use it; it is a trust, not a possession to wield as we please. Remember that whatever authority you hold is given by God, and that you are accountable to him for how you use it; do not exercise it as though it were simply your own, to use as you please. Use the authority you have as a trust from God, in a way that will bear his scrutiny, mindful that he will search out your works and inquire into how you used what he entrusted to you. Hold your authority as accountable to God, exercising it rightly and for the good of those under you, as this passage reminds those in high position that their authority is from God and answerable to him.

Lord, this passage addresses those who hold authority over others, and reminds them of a sobering truth: their authority was given by you, and they will be held accountable to you for how they used it. Your dominion was given to you from the Lord, it says; he will search out your works, and will inquire about your plans. Those in high position are not free to use their authority as they please; they hold it from you, and must answer to you. Show me the truth pressed on those who hold authority: it is given by you, and accountable to you. Whatever authority a person holds, in any sphere, it is not simply their own to use as they will; it is given by you, and they must answer to you for how they used it. Authority is a trust from you, to be exercised in a way that will bear your scrutiny, not a possession to be used as one pleases. Take that to my heart, for I too, in whatever authority or influence I hold, am accountable to you for it. Whatever authority I have, over a family, a team, any who are under me, I hold it from you and must answer to you; it is a trust, not a possession to wield as I please. Help me remember that whatever authority I hold is given by you, and that I am accountable to you for how I use it. Keep me from exercising it as though it were simply my own. Help me use the authority I have as a trust from you, Lord, in a way that will bear your scrutiny, exercising it rightly and for the good of those under me.