ECCLESIASTES 5
Proper prayer and sacrifices necessary for true worship verse 1- 3
Keep your foot when you go to the house of God
AND be more ready to hear
THAN to give the sacrifice of FOOLS
for they consider not that they do EVIL
Be not rash with your mouth
AND let not your heart be hasty to utter anything before God
for God is in heaven and you upon earth
therefore let your words be few
For a dream comes through the multitude of business
AND a FOOL’S voice is known by multitude of words
Promises made to God need to be kept verse 4- 8
When you vow a vow unto God – defer not to pay it
for HE has no pleasure in FOOLS
pay that which you have vowed
Better is it that you should not vow
THAN that you should vow and not pay
Suffer not your mouth to cause your flesh to sin
NEITHER say you before the angel – that it was an error
wherefore should God be angry at your voice
AND destroy the work of your hands?
For in the multitude of dreams and many words
there are also divers VANITIES
but fear you God
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
Prosperity doesn’t bring happiness verse 9- 12
Moreover the profit of the earth is for all
the king himself is served by the field
He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver
NOR he that loves abundance with increase
THIS IS ALSO VANITY
When goods increase – they are increased that eat them
AND what good is there to the owners thereof
saving the beholding of them with their eyes?
The sleep of a laboring man is sweet – whether he eat little or much
BUT the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep
Poverty in the grave verse 13- 15
There is a sore EVIL which I have seen under the sun – NAMELY
riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt
BUT those riches perish by EVIL TRAVAIL – AND he begets a son
AND there is nothing in his hand
As he came forth of his mother’s womb
naked shall he return to go as he came
AND shall take nothing of his labor
which he may carry away in his hand
Pains of life verse 16- 17
AND this is a SORE EVIL – that in all points as he came
so shall he go
AND what profit hath he that hath labored for the wind?
All his days also he eats in darkness
AND he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness
Presents from the LORD verse 18- 20
Behold that which I have seen
it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink
AND to enjoy the good of all his labor that he takes under the sun
all the days of his life – which God gives him
for it is his portion
Every man also to whom God hath given riches AND wealth
AND has given him power to eat thereof
AND to take his portion
AND to rejoice in his labor – this is a gift of God
For he shall not much remember the days of his life
BECAUSE God answers him in the joy of his heart
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 2 Be not rash with your mouth, and let not your heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and you on earth: therefore, let your words be few. (926 “rash” [bahal] means haste, to act or move at high speed, be terrified, out of one’s senses, to be out of one’s senses, or be hurried.)
DEVOTION: One of my problems is that I like to do things fast and I want things to happen yesterday. I know of other people who have the same problem.
Here we have a warning against these types of actions. We need to pray and think before we act especially regarding our growth and service to the LORD.
We have to watch what we say because once it is said it is hard to take it back. People remember our words even after we apologize for them.
It seems that the LORD wants us to pray before we act and to act slowly with the blessings of the LORD.
Also this verse wants us to use fewer words and more actions once we know what the LORD wants us to do in a given situation. There are a lot of people who can talk a lot but have very few actions that help the kingdom of God to move forward.
Our ultimate goal should be to glorify the LORD in our words and actions and this can only happen if we pray and ask for help from other mature believers before we act. Many times most of us are hasty and this hurts our maturity and the growth in others.
CHALLENGE: If we pray more before we act it seems that we can accomplish more for the LORD. This brings HIM more glory.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 4 “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed” The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982). 5087 נָדַר [nadar /naw·dar/] V translates as “vow” 30 times, and “made” once. 1 to vow, make a vow. 1A (Qal) to vow a vow.
DEVOTION: The basis for this warning was Deuteronomy 23:21–23, where vows were described as voluntary but binding once made, because failure to fulfill them was called sin and would result in God’s punishment. Solomon warned that a person’s mouth could lead him into sin (v. 6), which could result in God’s displeasure (v. 4) and anger (v. 6). Such a sin can ultimately lead to the loss of all a person worked for (v. 6). [The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 988]
It appears today that people do not take seriously this issue of vows resulting in promises and commitments easily being put aside or dismissed. Whereas a handshake was sufficient in the past for individuals to seal a deal and a person’s word was considered sacred today a contract and legal documentation rarely remains in effect. Marriage and business commitments are easily negated and no one in society or the church blinks or complains. God is not mocked and His word is still in effect. While we may minimize and ignore the truths taught He does not. Remember who you are standing and will stand in front of as you make a commitment.
CHALLENGE: Do not be hasty to make a vow or commitment until you have considered the matter completely. It is better to say no instead of wishing you had! (Dr. Brian Miller – board member)
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: 7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God. (2472 “dreams” [chalowm] means dream revelation or dreamer.)
DEVOTION: How many people dream of having no problems? How many dream of a big house, nice car and all the money in the bank that they will ever need? There are people with those kinds of dreams who go to the race track or casino thinking that they are going to win it all. Many people will buy lottery tickets to see if they can have their dream. However, the truth is that only three (3) percent of the money ever leaves the casino. Most people lose a few weeks wages but some lose everything. We had someone who worked for us in Michigan who had a father that lost everything and before he even got home they were there to let him take a few personal items and leave the rest for them.
Solomon warns those around him not to go to the LORD and ask for their dreams. Some go many times with a lot of words to ask the LORD for what they think they need to be happy.
Remember that Paul went to the LORD three times for his thorn in the flesh to go away but then he realized that it was the LORD’S will for him to keep the thorn in the flesh. The LORD works through our weaknesses. HE wants us to be dependent on HIM.
We know of the widow who kept going to the judge who didn’t believe in the LORD for something she needed and he granted it to her. Sometimes the LORD has people come to HIM a multitude of times for something that HE really wants them to have and HE grants their request.
There is a difference. We don’t really know what will cause us to grow in the LORD but HE does. Our asking is to be short but often. HE will grant the requests that HE knows will help us grow. Some of the things we ask for are not for HIS glory but for our own. Watch what you ask for.
CHALLENGE: Balancing our needs with our wants is never easy. HE promises to provide our every need. Encourage others to ask for balance in their prayer life.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 10 He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loves abundance with increase: this is also vanity. (157 “loveth” [’ahab] means to have affection, like, friend, have affection for or human appetite for objects.
DEVOTION: In the New Testament we read that the “love of money is the root of all evil.” Money is not evil but the love of it is.
Solomon was one of the richest men in the world. He had everything he wanted at the time he wanted it. He knew what he is talking about when he talked about money. He states that it is better to enjoy life rather than spend it gathering money for the future.
Too often that money is lost to the government or to death. Our economy is such that we can’t depend on our future money. We can depend on God. Solomon informs the people to depend on God not their money.
This verse deals with the fact that some people make money their idol. They are seeking something that is meaningless. The problem is that, even those who have money as their idol are never satisfied. They always want more.
We can gather anything and consider it a treasure. We could love books, stamps, baseball cards, etc. If we loved anything more than God then we will never be satisfied. There will always one more item that we think we have to have to make our collection complete.
It would make our life one that is given to searching for more, rather than searching for a closer walk with the LORD. Remember not to love money. Giving is a good cure. The Bible tells us that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). Remember you can NEVER out give God.
CHALLENGE: Vanity means emptiness. Our life needs to be full of the LORD. Our responsibility is do good works that glorify God after we become a believer. When the LORD presents a need to us, if we are able fill it.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Words be few verse 2
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Entering house of God verse 1
Listen when in house of God verse 1
Sacrifice verse 1
Vow verse 4
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign) verse 1, 2, 4, 6, 7,
18- 20
House of God verse 1
God is in heaven verse 2
Pay vows to God verse 4
No pleasure in fools verse 4
Destroy work of hands verse 6
Fear of God verse 7
Gift of God: power and wealth verse 19
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Angel verse 6
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Fool verse 1
Poor verse 8
King verse 9
Laboring man verse 12
Son verse 14
Mother verse 15
Man verse 19
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Sacrifice of fools verse 1, 3, 4
Evil verse 1, 13, 14, 16
Rash with your mouth verse 2
Hasty heart verse 2
Multitude of words verse 3, 6, 7
Not paying vows verse 4, 5
Sin verse 6
Error verse 6
Multitude of dreams verse 7
Divers vanities verse 7
Oppression of the poor verse 8
Perverting of justice verse 8
Loving silver verse 10, 15- 17
Not satisfied verse 10
Love abundance verse 10
Vanity verse 10
Not a giver verse 12, 13
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Ready to hear verse 1
Words be few verse 2
Pay what vowed verse 4, 5
Watch what you say verse 6
Fear of God verse 7
Satisfied verse 10
Work ethic verse 12, 18
Rejoice in labor verse 19
Rejoice in our labor verse 19
Gift of God verse 19
Answers from God verse 20
Joy in heart verse 20
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Solomon verse 1- 20
Dream comes through the multitude of
business
Sleep of laboring man is sweet
Abundance of the rich will not suffer him
to sleep
Sore evil: riches kept for the owners thereof
to their hurt
Labored for the wind
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Naked came from mother’s womb
return the same verse 15
Leaving this world with nothing verse 15
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QUOTES regarding passage
First the Preacher considers the frustrations of oppressive bureaucracy with its endless delays and excuses, while the poor cannot afford to wait, and justice is lost between the tiers of the hierarchy. (regarding verse 8, Michael A. Eaton, Ecclesiastes, p. 101)
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The secret of acceptable praying is a prepared heart (Ps. 141:1-2), because the mouth speaks what the heart contains (Matt. 12: 34-37). ….. Spurgeon said, “It is not the length of our prayers, but the strength of our prayers, that makes the difference.” (p. 65) …. If we focus more on the gifts than on the Giver, we are guilty of idolatry. If we accept His gifts, but complain about them, we are guilty of ingratitude. If we hoard His gifts and will not share them with others, we are guilty of indulgence. But if we yield to His will and use what He gives us for His glory, then we can enjoy life and be satisfied. (p. 71, Warren Wiersbe, Be Satisfied)
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Outward obedience, coupled with inner disobedience and reluctance, were the order of the day. (p. 117) …. No matter who it is that speaks, if he speaks much, he shall presently make a fool of himself just as surely as persons who fret over a multitude of things fall into dreams at night. (p. 120, H.C. Leupold, Exposition of Ecclesiastes)
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3 As personal and business cares produce dreams, which are unsubstantial things; so many words produce foolish and empty prayer. The proverb may speak of the false thinking that comes through preoccupation with one’s own affairs. When we come before God, our minds are full of our own business rather than with the worship of God. When we talk too much, we usually talk like fools. This can be especially bad in the house of God. (Wright, J. S. (1991). Ecclesiastes. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (Vol. 5, p. 1168). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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These verses are often wrongly interpreted as an interlude in Solomon’s argument. They are assumed to give advice on proper worship, including the proper attitude for worship (v. 1), the proper practice of prayer (vv. 2–3), and the proper payment of vows (vv. 4–7). In reality, however, they are an important part of Solomon’s argument, warning against the folly of rash vows which could cause a person to lose the fruits of his labor through God’s destroying the work of his hands (v. 6). Thus Solomon warned against the folly of rash vows which he called the sacrifice of fools (v. 1) and the speech of a fool (v. 3). He warned against uttering a hasty and ill-considered vow to the Lord: Do not be quick with your mouth; do not be hasty in your heart (v. 2). (Glenn, D. R. (1985). Ecclesiastes. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 988). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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Then Solomon issued a warning about careless praying (vv. 2–3). Prayer is serious business. Like marriage, “it must not be entered into lightly or carelessly, but soberly and in the fear of God.” If you and I were privileged to bring our needs and requests to the White House or to Buckingham Palace, we would prepare our words carefully and exhibit proper behavior. How much more important it is when we come to the throne of Almighty God. Yet, there is so much flippant praying done by people who seem to know nothing about the fear of the Lord.
When you pray, watch out for both hasty words and too many words (Matt. 6:7). The secret of acceptable praying is a prepared heart (Ps. 141:1–2), because the mouth speaks what the heart contains (Matt. 12:34–37). If we pray only to impress people, we will not get through to God. The author of Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan, wrote: “In prayer, it is better to have a heart without words, than words without a heart.” (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Satisfied (p. 65). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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Ver. 3. For a dream cometh through the multitude of business, &c.] Or, for as a dream, so Aben Ezra; as that comes through a multiplicity of business in the day-time, in which the mind has been busied, and the body employed; and this brings on dreams in the night-season, which are confused and incoherent; sometimes the fancy is employed about one thing, and sometimes another, and all unprofitable and useless, as well as vain and foolish. And a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words; either his voice in conversation, for a fool is full of words, and pours out his foolishness in a large profusion of them; or his voice in prayer, being like a man’s dream, confused, incoherent, and rambling. The supplement, is known, may be left out. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 4, p. 580). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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3. For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.
This language might apply pertinently either to words of prayer, or to the words used in the solemn vow. Inasmuch as prayers and vows were naturally blended together, it is quite legitimate to consider both as involved here. This caution applies to all words addressed to God. A multitude of words, poured out irreverently and without serious thought, is compared to the incoherent and unmeaning fancies of dreams when the mind has been overborne with business and cares. In no such manner and spirit should men approach the Great God. Let them rather think of him as filling the highest heavens and yet as condescending in his great compassion to bend his ear thence to the humble prayer of mortals. Let them, therefore, approach his mercy-seat with profoundest gratitude and reverential awe, blended, indeed, with a filial but never a reckless spirit.—This precept can not legitimately be construed to forbid the free use of as many words as may be necessary to express our wants or to give free utterance to the real longings of our burdened hearts. “Vain repetitions,” which are both the index and the expression of an irreverent heart, are rightly forbidden. (Cowles, H. (1884). Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon, with Notes, Critical, Explanatory, and Practical (pp. 264–265). New York: D. Appleton and Company.)
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Concerning Worship and Vows: Verses 1–7. The writer, King Solomon, seems to have been exhausted in his descriptions as to the things under the sun. He pauseth and turns to something different. He meditates on worship, that man aims to get in touch with the unseen God. “He seems to turn to himself again and communes with his heart on the loftier heights of what proves to be, after all, but natural religiousness, and which cannot save him from the depths of unbelief, ignorance and despair, in which he is soon hopelessly floundering. Mindful of man’s jaunty liberalism and enslaving superstitions, rash vows and wordy prayers, shallow reverence and dreamy worship—dreamy and unreal because full of entreating vanities and worldly business, the speaker earnestly exhorts the multitude going to the house of God to have few words and slow and solemn steps in their worship and vows; but even then he does so like a natural man himself, knowing only of a God far away, who is looking upon the sinful on earth with cold judicial eye, ready to destroy the work of man in wrath.” The natural man may feel God, fear Him with a slavish fear, make an attempt to worship Him and do something, yet he does not know God nor can he know Him by himself. Christendom, even to-day, bears witness to the worship of the natural man. Yet this natural religion, which recognizeth the existence of a Creator, speaks of Him as the All-wise, the Omnipotent and the Eternal, makes an attempt to worship in a house by ceremonies and ritual, or that which takes on a more liberal form, does not meet the needs of man. God is still in heaven and man on earth (verse 2), and a vast distance between—an unbridged gulf. To bring man to God, to give him peace and assurance, to deliver him from fear, revelation is needed that which is “above the sun.” The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only provision. (Gaebelein, A. C. (2009). The Annotated Bible: Proverbs to Ezekiel (Vol. 4, pp. 71–72). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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Not Giving, but Sowing
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6)
As John Calvin pointed out long ago in expounding this key passage, “We are not giving, but sowing” when we contribute of our financial means to the work of the Lord, for it miraculously is considered by the Lord of the harvest as seed sown in the soil of the hearts of men.
And it is a rule of the harvest that, other things being equal, the more seed planted, the more harvested. He who is deficient with his seed must necessarily anticipate a meager crop.
Of course, a bountiful harvest presupposes not only an abundance of seed, but also good soil, properly prepared, watered, and cultivated. It is no good simply to give money to anyone or any cause, any more than it is good simply to throw a seed on a rocky slope or city street or weed-infested yard. One is responsible to give where God’s Word is honored—not just to give, but to give responsibly.
Furthermore, even though an abundant harvest is promised, the motive in giving is also vital. The harvest is souls—not gold! “God loveth a cheerful giver”—not a conditional giver (v. 7). “He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity” (Romans 12:8). Often God does bring financial blessing to a Christian who has proved faithful in the grace of giving, but this is so he can give still more and thus lay up still more treasure in heaven. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Luke 12:48). “Therefore,” as Paul said, “. . . see that ye abound in this grace also” (2 Corinthians 8:7).
And as we give, we must never forget that Christ has given more: “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9). (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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James 4
While selfishness produces conflict, humility produces submission to God.
INSIGHT
Selfishness is the foundation for all conflict. When two hearts want different things – and neither is willing to sacrifice for the sake of the other – conflict arises. Selfishness is the cause of war, crime, and interpersonal conflict. By looking out for ourselves, we think we can get what we want from life. In contrast, the Lord teaches us that humility, not selfishness, results in satisfaction in life. Promote yourself, and wars and conflict result. Even God is against you (v. 6). But live in humility and wars and conflict cease, assuming all parties participate. And the Lord will lift you up. (Quiet Walk)
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THE WORLD
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever. 1 John 2:15-17
That is, perhaps, one of the fullest statements in Scripture of what the New Testament means by this term the world; here John once more comes back to it. He is always very anxious about it, as is every writer in the New Testament. You cannot read the New Testament truly without seeing the whole of the Christian life as a life of conflict; we are in an atmosphere and in a world where there is a great fight going on. There are two kingdoms, the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness, and you get these constant comparisons and contrasts. Paul says to the Ephesians, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (or “in the heavenlies”) (Ephesians 6:12). “The world,” says John, “is there the whole time, and the Christian is fighting against it.” So it is of vital importance that we should know what he means by this.
Perhaps the best way of defining what the New Testament means by “the world” is that it is everything that is opposed to God and His Spirit. God calls upon men and women to worship Him and to glorify Him; He calls upon them to live for His glory. There is a famous quotation in the Shorter Catechism of the Westminster Confession that says, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” That is the chief object for which God created us; we are meant to glorify God in every way conceivable.
A Thought to Ponder: We are in a world where there is a great fight going on.
(From Life in God, p. 36, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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