Let's dive into a fascinating passage from Bamidbar Rabbah 14, a Midrash, or interpretation, on the Book of Numbers, that explores this very tension.

The passage starts with a seemingly simple verse: "On the eighth day, prince of the children of Manasseh, Gamliel son of Pedatzur" (Numbers 7:54). But the Rabbis don't just read the verse; they unpack it. They connect it to Ecclesiastes 8:2: "I keep the king’s directive, [and in regard to the word of an oath to God]."

Think about it. What happens when the king – or any authority figure – tells you to do something that clashes with your values, your conscience, or even God’s law? This is where things get interesting.

The Midrash clarifies that respecting authority is crucial. After all, we read in Deuteronomy 17:15, "You shall set a king over you" – implying that this king should command respect. And Joshua 1:18 warns, "Any man who will disobey your directive… will be put to death!" Strong stuff, right?

The text uses Pharaoh's words to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh," (Genesis 41:44) to illustrate this point. What does Pharaoh mean when he says, "I am Pharaoh?" According to the Midrash, Pharaoh is reminding Joseph to respect his authority, even after elevating Joseph to a position of power.

Similarly, when God says to Moses, "I am the Lord" (Exodus 6:2), the Midrash explains that God is reminding Moses that even though He has made Moses "a god to Pharaoh" (Exodus 7:1), Moses must still remember God's ultimate authority.

So, we're obligated to respect earthly authority. But is that the whole story? Absolutely not.

The verse in Ecclesiastes includes a crucial caveat: "…and in regard to the word of an oath to God." This, the Midrash emphasizes, takes precedence. The will of flesh and blood, meaning human commands, must be nullified before the will of God. We are bound by our oath to fulfill all the commandments in the Torah, as Deuteronomy 29:11 reminds us, "To pass you into the covenant of the Lord your God and into His oath…"

It's like the classic dilemma: do you listen to your parents even if they tell you to do something wrong? Leviticus 19:3 teaches, "Each of you shall fear his mother and his father…" But the very same verse continues, "And you shall observe My Shabbatot." So, if your father tells you to violate Shabbat, the obligation to God comes first.

What if a king threatens you? Ecclesiastes 8:3 says, "Do not be frightened; leave his presence." The Midrash interprets "panav," presence, as referring to the king's anger. Don't be swayed by his anger into violating the Torah. Don't remain in his path, bedavar, following it blindly. Don't fear his threats of punishment. As the story of Hananya, Mishael, and Azarya in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:15) reminds us, sometimes you have to stand up to earthly power to uphold your faith.

But what's the reward for standing firm in your beliefs? The Midrash promises that if you prioritize God's will, then when God decrees calamity upon the world, your prayers for mercy will be heard. Because you nullified the decree of flesh and blood, God will nullify His own decree.

Ecclesiastes 8:5 says, "One who observes a mitzva [will know no evil matter]." The Midrash interprets this as measure for measure: because he did not remain in a bad situation, therefore, "he will know no evil matter."

Now, the Midrash shifts gears, offering a second interpretation of these verses, focusing on the story of Joseph in Egypt. Joseph, who never flouted Pharaoh's command, exemplifies "I keep the king’s directive." And despite his high position, he never abandoned his fear of God. This is "the word of an oath to God." He even resisted the advances of Potiphar's wife, demonstrating his commitment to holiness.

The Midrash highlights Joseph's unwavering commitment to righteousness, even when faced with temptation and threats. He fled from Potiphar's wife, leaving his garment behind, rather than succumb to sin. This act of self-control, the Midrash argues, is the key to his ultimate success.

The reward for Joseph's righteousness? He was elevated to a position of immense power in Egypt. Pharaoh himself declared, "Go to Joseph; what he says to you, you shall do" (Genesis 41:55). This, the Midrash says, is because Joseph observed the mitzvot.

The Midrash even connects Joseph's actions to the future offerings brought by the princes of Ephraim and Manasseh, his descendants, during the dedication of the altar in the Tabernacle. Because Joseph observed both "You shall not commit adultery" and "You shall not steal," his grandsons were honored in a unique way.

So what's the takeaway here? It’s a delicate balance. We must respect authority, but not blindly. Our ultimate allegiance is to God and to the principles of righteousness. And sometimes, that means standing up, like Joseph, even when it's difficult, even when it's scary. Because ultimately, as the Midrash suggests, that commitment is what truly brings reward.