August 28, 2009
MORE STARSTRUCK THAN GOD-STRUCK
Ecclesiastes 5
Brooke Mauritzen
Central Truth
When we understand the magnitude of the Lord's character, it allows us to know our place before Him and to be more intentional with our speech in His presence.
Key Verse | Ecclesiastes 5:2
Do not be rash with your mouth or hasty in your heart to bring up a matter before God,
for God is in heaven and you are on earth!
Therefore, let your words be few.
(Ecclesiastes 5:2)
Ecclesiastes 5
Fear God
1 1 5:1 Ch 4:17 in Hebrew Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 2 5:2 Ch 5:1 in Hebrew Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words.
4 When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. 5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 6 Let not your mouth lead you 3 5:6 Hebrew your flesh into sin, and do not say before the messenger 4 5:6 Or angel that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; 5 5:7 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a vapor or mere breath; also verse 10 (see note on 1:2) but 6 5:7 Or For when dreams and vanities increase, words also grow many; but God is the one you must fear.
The Vanity of Wealth and Honor
8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. 9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields. 7 5:9 The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain
10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. 11 When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? 12 Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.
13 There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, 14 and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. 15 As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. 16 This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind? 17 Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger.
18 Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment 8 5:18 Or and see good in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. 19 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.
Footnotes
[1] 5:1 Ch 4:17 in Hebrew[2] 5:2 Ch 5:1 in Hebrew
[3] 5:6 Hebrew your flesh
[4] 5:6 Or angel
[5] 5:7 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also verse 10 (see note on 1:2)
[6] 5:7 Or For when dreams and vanities increase, words also grow many; but
[7] 5:9 The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain
[8] 5:18 Or and see good
Dive Deeper | Ecclesiastes 5
Two summers ago, I spent several days in Los Angeles. Much to my chagrin, I was drawn in by the celebrities of that city. Actors, athletes, and musicians were easily seen, and I found myself becoming quite starstruck. I wanted to know who these people were and learn more about their personalities and talents. The last thing on my mind would have been to approach one of them and begin a discourse about myself or my current needs.
For some of us, the exact opposite is true when we approach the Lord in prayer. We have our own agendas that include telling Him exactly what we want or think we need. Our focus is on ourselves instead of the Creator of the universe with whom we are spending time.
Think about that for a minute. We have access to the Creator of the universe through our relationship with Jesus Christ—at all times! Britney Spears' fame doesn't hold a candle to God's (Habakkuk 3:2), and He is infinitely more powerful than Donald Trump (Jeremiah 10:6). His wisdom vastly supersedes the advice of Oprah (Proverbs 2:6), and Leonardo da Vinci could only paint the things that God had already created (Psalm 104:24). With all of that taken into consideration, it should be easy to come before Him humbly, more careful and thoughtful about what to say, and prepared to listen.
I find that I lose this perspective most often when I allow the busyness of life to take over. Activities and schedules cause a shift in focus onto myself, and my conversations with God become entirely too one-sided. My mind jumps from one place to another because it is often a dramatic shift from living in the excesses of this world to taking the time to listen and hear the Lord's voice. Rash and hasty words only reveal my self-centeredness instead of letting more intentional, Christ-centered speech be heard.
"He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30, NASB) How easy it is to forget these words about Christ, even when we are before His throne!
Discussion Questions
1. Do you have a relationship with Christ that allows you access to God? If not, please let us know! We'd love to talk to you about what that looks like.
2. What does your prayer life say about where your focus is?
3. Are you intentional and thoughtful with your words before God, or are your conversations with Him marked by rash and hasty words?