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Ecclesiastes Lesson Eighteen

Ecclesiastes Lesson Eighteen: Ecclesiastes 9:11-18 – Wisdom’s Limits

Again I saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, or the battle to the strong, or bread to the wise, or riches to the discerning, or favor to the skillful; rather, time and chance happen to all of them. 12 For man certainly does not know his time: like fish caught in a cruel net or like birds caught in a trap, so people are trapped in an evil time as it suddenly falls on them. 

13 I have observed that this also is wisdom under the sun, and it is significant to me: 14 There was a small city with few men in it. A great king came against it, surrounded it, and built large siege works against it. 15 Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he delivered the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man. 16 And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.” 

17 The calm words of the wise are heeded 

more than the shouts of a ruler over fools. 

18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, 

but one sinner can destroy much good. (HCSB)

I’ll be splitting this lesson into two parts.

  • Persevere in life – verses 11-12.
  • Power and limitations of wisdom – verses 13-18.

Persevere in Life

The author closed the last section by talking about death. Now, he turns his attention to making 

the most out of our lives.

  • One point the author puts forward here is that life is unpredictable, no matter our abilities.
    • The fastest don’t always win the race.
    • The strongest warriors don’t always win the battle.
    • The wisest don’t always have the most “stuff”: money and possessions.
    • In each case, those most seemingly destined for success can, and often fail, because of circumstances outside their control.
  • We may innocently believe that people are lucky when they succeed, and others are unlucky when they fail.
  • However, Christians shouldn’t believe in luck. That’s an abstract concept when compared against God’s sovereign will.
    • We shouldn’t carry a rabbit’s foot.
    • We shouldn’t place our faith in lucky or unlucky days or numbers. Friday the 13th is no different than Friday the 14th.
  • Our confidence should be in the loving providence of God, wholly based on His timing.
  • There’s a saying, “I’m a great believer in luck. The harder I work, the more I have of it.” 
  • From the human perspective, life can seem arbitrary. But from a theological perspective, it all makes perfect sense. God is working according to His eternal purposes.
  • The author’s final thought is contained in the last part of verse twelve.
    • The “evil time” is the event of our physical death.
    • In most cases, we have no idea when it will happen. 
    • There could be an accident.
    • A medical diagnosis could result in very little time before passing.
    • In each case, it is like falling into an unexpected trap that catches the person completely unaware.

Power and Limitations of Wisdom

In the second section of this lesson, we see that opportunities are not a guarantee of success. There is some disagreement among scholars on the interpretation of verses 14-15, but we’ll go over the possibilities.

  • The minority position is that the poor wise man was asked for his advice, but he was ultimately ignored.
    • But there are two problems with this position.
      • The Hebrew word for “delivered is malat. This word means to rescue or save. 
      • The wording of verses 17-18.
        • Calm words of the wise are heeded.
        • Wisdom is better than weapons of war.
    • Both phrases imply the advice was used.
  • The majority position is that the advice was heeded.
    • The poor wise man’s advice could have been in one of two areas.
      • Diplomacy – the advice led to some agreement without hostilities.
      • Military strategy – the advice led to a military victory against the invaders.
    • Regardless of which one it was, and regardless of the low stature of the man giving the advice, his advice was heeded, and it led to a satisfactory outcome of the city not being attacked.
  • There is another angle to this example. Was the writer referring to an actual siege he had witnessed, or is this an allegory?
    • Jewish allegory from a targum, which is an oral paraphrase or interpretation of the Hebrew Old Testament in Aramaic.
      • The city represents a person whose body has been invaded by an evil spirit.
      • The poor, wise man stands for the good but humble spirit that wages war against the evil spirit.
      • This targum would likely have been used in synagogues during Jesus’ time to represent the spiritual struggle that takes place within a person.
    • Christian allegory. There are parallels to the gospel message in the New Testament.
      • Man’s soul is under siege by the forces of darkness. Ephesians 6:12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. 
      • Christ is the wise man. 1 Corinthians 1:30 But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
      • Christ became poor for our sake. Philippians 2:7-8 Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, 8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross. 
      • Christ’s atoning sacrifice is God’s wise way of delivering man from the city of destruction. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is God’s power to us who are being saved. 19 For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will set aside the understanding of the experts. 20 Where is the philosopher? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age?  Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? 21 For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of the message preached. 22 For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. 24 Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is God’s power and God’s wisdom, 25 because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
      • Christ was greeted with ingratitude. Luke 17:11-19 While traveling to Jerusalem, He passed between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As He entered a village, 10 men with serious skin diseases met Him. They stood at a distance 13 and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 When He saw them, He told them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And while they were going, they were healed. 15 But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God.  16 He fell facedown at His feet, thanking Him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus said, “Were not 10 cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Didn’t any return to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And He told him, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has made you well.”
  • The writer draws some conclusions over the final three verses.
    • Wisdom is better than strength.
      • God’s way is better than man’s.
        • The Gospel is a stumbling block to some and foolishness to others – 1 Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles.
        • Many will despise the Gospel and drown out its proclamation, but it should and will be heard.
        • Paul’s sermon on Mars Hill got a mixed reception. Acts 17:32-34 When they heard about resurrection of the dead, some began to ridicule him. But others said, “We’d like to hear from you again about this.” 33 Then Paul left their presence. 34 However, some men joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them. 
      • Looking back through the recent history of the Christian church, we see further examples of this.
        • George Whitefield, John and Charles Wesley often met violent opposition as they preached the Gospel in open-air meetings.
        • However, the message overcame the shouts and taunts, often turning the hearts of their loudest opponents.
    • The root of the entire problem is man’s sinful heart.
    • Sin entered the world through one man, and by the obedience of another, each of us is provided a way of deliverance. Romans 5:12-21 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all men, because all sinned. 13 In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression. He is a prototype of the Coming One. 15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift overflowed to the many by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification.  17 Since by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. 18 So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is life-giving justification for everyone. 19 For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
  • The ending of verse 18, “but one sinner can destroy much good,” creates a natural link to chapter ten.

Applications

  • All of us will face challenges and adversity as we go through life. A measure of our faith is how we deal with and overcome them. Do you handle them calmly and trustfully, or do you worry and lash out when they happen? Place your trust in the God of the universe to see you through those times.
  • If you are in a leadership position, listen to advice from those below you, even if the advice comes from an unlikely source. It may just be a word from God at the right moment. 
  • Don’t be afraid to offer advice, regardless of your position. God may reveal to us a word of wisdom during a challenging or difficult situation. Don’t hesitate to offer solutions even if you’re not listened to.
  • The Gospel (wisdom) is mightier than the most powerful ruler. Share it whenever you have the chance. We have nothing to fear in this life if we’re walking with Jesus. Our eternity is secure. 
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Ecclesiastes Lesson Thirteen

Ecclesiastes Lesson Thirteen: Ecclesiastes 7:15-22 – The Value of Moderation

In my futile life I have seen everything: there is a righteous man who perishes in spite of his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives long in spite of his evil. 16 Don’t be excessively righteous, and don’t be overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself? 17 Don’t be excessively wicked, and don’t be foolish. Why should you die before your time? 18 It is good that you grasp the one and do not let the other slip from your hand. For the one who fears God will end up with both of them. 

19 Wisdom makes the wise man stronger 

than ten rulers of a city. 

20 There is certainly no righteous man on the earth 

who does good and never sins. 

21 Don’t pay attention to everything people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you, 22 for you know that many times you yourself have cursed others. (HCSB)

The preceding lesson talked about wisdom through parables. This lesson will also have an underlying theme of wisdom but in the context of moderation. 

I’ll be dividing this lesson into two parts.

  • The mystery of righteousness versus sin and the length of a person’s life – verses 15-18.
  • Another exposé on wisdom – verses 19-22.

The Mystery of Righteousness Versus Sin and the Length of a Person’s Life

Don’t we often wonder and struggle when we see blatantly sinful people living long and seemingly prosperous lives? And the same happens when we see good people who die young. It begs the question, “Why do the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper?” Doesn’t this contradict God’s Word?

  • Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. 
  • Deuteronomy 4:40 Keep His statutes and commands, which I am giving you today, so that you and your children after you may prosper and so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you for all time.
  • Deuteronomy 4:25-26 When you have children and grandchildren and have been in the land a long time, and if you act corruptly, make an idol in the form of anything, and do what is evil in the sight of the Lord your God, provoking Him to anger, 26 I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that you will quickly perish from the land you are about to cross the Jordan to possess. You will not live long there, but you will certainly be destroyed.
  • Psalm 55:23 God, You will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and treachery will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.

We need to consider two facts when we ponder the question of whether or not the Word has been contradicted.

  • God did promise to bless Israel in their land if they obeyed His Law, but those promises are not given to believers today under the new covenant.
    • Matthew 5:3 The poor in spirit are blessed, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
  • The wicked appear to prosper only if you take a short-term view of things.
    • Psalm 73
    • 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. 18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

When we consider these two facts, we see clearly that God has not contradicted Himself.

Another biblical example to consider is the book of Job and his three “friends.” They are convinced that the question of how humans relate to God and the world is captured in one belief: If you obey all the rules, you’ll be safe. The result is that those who ascribe to this belief lean towards asceticism, self-denial as a spiritual discipline. However, asceticism has the following shortcomings.

  • Futility – everyone will end up failing at some point.
  • Arrogance – there’s a tendency to have a smug certainty about one’s righteousness.
  • Miserable – cutting off from the everyday joys of life.

Putting these ideas into modern understanding would caution us not to be fanatics or legalistic in our behavior.

The second half of verse eighteen effectively summarizes verses 15-18. 

  • To understand, we must figure out how fearing God will allow a person to end up with both. But what are “both?”
    • Having a devotion to God and following His teachings of wisdom.
    • Enjoying the good things in life.
  • A person who faithfully follows God will be able to maintain both of these throughout their life.
  • This is in contrast with two other philosophical outlooks.
    • Asceticism – any indulgence or humor is either a sin against religion or folly against wisdom.
    • Libertine – any form of restraint is a threat against pleasure-seeking.
  • The author seems to warn against excesses, but the Christian life seems filled with them.
    • Exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees: Matthew 5:20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 
    • Be exceedingly glad when we are persecuted: Matthew 5:12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 
    • God has given us exceedingly great and precious promises: 2 Peter 1:4a By these He has given us very great and precious promises.
    • God has promised to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think: Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think  according to the power that works in us.
  • The author is warning against the wrong kind of excess, not excess in general, as Scripture can’t contradict other sections of Scripture.
  • God’s creation is wonderfully balanced.
  • We must learn to balance the ways we perceive the circumstances of our lives.

Another Exposé on Wisdom

This section contains two short teachings.

  • A person with wisdom is infinitely stronger than the foolish rulers of a city.
    • Wise men are necessary because human sin is universal: Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
    • Rulers can try to control evil by brute force, but because of pettiness, weakness, and ambition in society, only wise men can maintain the equilibrium among them.
  • Verses 21-22 are a warning against being overly sensitive to what others say about us. It’s also highly likely, if not an absolute given, that we’ve said things about or to others that have caused pain.
    • We might try and explain away what we said by blaming it on “having a bad day” or “we didn’t really mean what we said.”
      • Others would probably use the same excuse when speaking badly about us.
      • Why do we apply different standards to what we say and what others say about us?
    • The knowledge of our flawed nature should shape our attitudes toward others.
      • We are sinful people, and apart from the redemptive power of Christ, we are destined to spend eternity in hell.
      • We are also called to love our neighbors as ourselves: Mark 12:31 “The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these.” 
    • If we’re wise, we won’t pay attention to what others say about us and won’t speak ill of others.

Applications

  • Avoid excesses in your life. This can also include “church activities” if they are detrimental to the balance in your life. I knew one Christian family while in high school who went to church Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, and just about any other church event during the week. You might think that’s great, but you never saw the inside of their house. There were dishes and pots piled high in their kitchen. There were piles of dirty clothes throughout the house, even in the common areas. They had two dogs, and I often wondered if “accidents” ever occurred and how long it took to find them! Their family life lacked balance.
  • Focus on acquiring, understanding, and applying the wisdom contained in Scripture. But do this to walk in obedience to God’s Word and strengthen your walk with Christ, not as a way to show off or justify yourself.
  • Don’t let what others say about you cause discouragement. Sometimes, that isn’t easy. But in the end, if we’re walking in obedience to Christ, what others say about us doesn’t matter. They aren’t our judge. Only Christ can and will judge us.
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Ecclesiastes Lesson Twelve

Ecclesiastes Lesson Twelve: Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 – Wise Sayings

A good name is better than fine perfume, 

and the day of one’s death than the day of one’s birth. 

2 It is better to go to a house of mourning 

than to go to a house of feasting, 

since that is the end of all mankind, 

and the living should take it to heart. 

3 Grief is better than laughter, 

for when a face is sad, a heart may be glad. 

4 The heart of the wise is in a house of mourning, 

but the heart of fools is in a house of pleasure. 

5 It is better to listen to rebuke from a wise person 

than to listen to the song of fools, 

6 for like the crackling of burning thorns under the pot, 

so is the laughter of the fool. 

This too is futile. 

7 Surely, the practice of extortion turns a wise person into a fool, 

and a bribe destroys the mind. 

8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning; 

a patient spirit is better than a proud spirit. 

9 Don’t let your spirit rush to be angry, 

for anger abides in the heart of fools. 

10 Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these?” 

since it is not wise of you to ask this. 

11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance 

and an advantage to those who see the sun, 

12 because wisdom is protection as money is protection, 

and the advantage of knowledge 

is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner. 

13 Consider the work of God, 

for who can straighten out 

what He has made crooked? 

14 In the day of prosperity be joyful,  but in the day of adversity, consider: God has made the one as well as the other,  so that man cannot discover anything that will come after him. (HCSB)

The first part of chapter seven reads very much like it came from Proverbs. Although verses 1-14 could be read as one theme. It makes more sense to split it into two.

  • Wisdom can make life better – verses 1-11.
  • Wisdom helps us see life clearly – verses 12-14.

Wisdom Can Make Life Better

Verse 1

  • On the surface, these verse appears quite confusing. What did the writer mean by these two contrasts?
  • Both a good name and perfume were highly regarded in Jewish culture.
    • Proverbs 10:7 The remembrance of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.
    • Psalm 45:7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy more than your companions. 
  • Here, the writer contrasts outer appearance and inward values to make his point.
  • The writer also wasn’t saying death was better than birth because a person can’t die unless they were born. 
  • There are two significant days when a person’s name is known: the day they are born/named and the day they die.
    • The life lived between those two events determines whether the name leaves behind a lovely fragrance or a foul stench.
    • If a person dies with a good name, their reputation is sealed.
    • In this case, death is better than birth, as the person’s reputation is settled.
  • This same concept can be applied to a person with a bad reputation. Once they die, they can no longer do harm or cause hurt.

Verses 2-4

  • These verses make a simple point: there is much to be gained by sober reflection on death.
  • When we realize we’ll all meet the same end, a wise person will turn from foolishness.
    • Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.
  • We should learn from death but not be preoccupied with it. This could result in a person not taking life as seriously as they should.
  • As the writer transitions from the house of mourning to grief and laughter in verse three, let’s take a closer look at the meaning behind the word “laughter.” The Hebrew word can take two directions.
    • One is happy laughter, taking the word at face value.
    • The second is more subtle. It can mean derision or scorn.
  • The idea of grief and mourning being better than laughter and pleasure is simple yet deep.
    • The writer here is likely referring to circumstances that are temporal in nature.
    • Temporal happiness can divert our attention and focus away from God to things of the world.
    • When we experience temporal grief or trials, it brings us back to focusing on God and depending on Him for everything.
    • Temporal sadness is good when it causes us to turn our heart and mind back to God.
      • 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 Now I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance. For you were grieved as God willed, so that you didn’t experience any loss from us. 10 For godly grief produces a repentance not to be regretted and leading to salvation, but worldly grief produces death.

Verses 5-6

  • Hearing rebuke is better than hearing praise.
  • I’m sure we’ve all been in situations where all we hear is praise, how good we are, or how well we’ve done something.
    • I’ve been in that situation several different times. Although we all like to hear we’ve done something well, it’s also helpful when we’re told how we’ve fallen short.
    • Although no one likes a rebuke, which is a strong word, we’ll never grow or learn if we aren’t told when we mess up.
    • This is especially true when the correction comes from someone who is wise or has experience in general or the specific situation where we may have made a mistake.
    • Praise often comes from those who lack wisdom or experience. Or, they may be trying to curry favor, especially if they are below the person they are praising.
  • The writer is also using two similes in these verses.
    • A foolish person is worthless, like thorns.
    • A foolish person is always in danger of facing judgment, burning under a pot.

Verse 7

  • The basis for the idea that extortion turns a person into a fool is found in many ancient Near East wisdom literature. 
  • Those in positions of political power should avoid corrupt activities.
  • However, as we look around the world today, it’s very common to see people in positions of power using their positions to accept bribes or conduct “under the table” deals to benefit themselves and their supporters.
  • The widespread corruption in politics makes it difficult not to have a cynical view toward those in office, and it’s easy to believe everyone who holds office is tainted somehow.
  • Bribery undercuts wisdom because it corrupts the heart.

Verses 8-9

  • The theme in these two verses is to consider life as a long-distance event and not a sprint or trying to take shortcuts to make things easier.
  • The shortcuts and bribes were talked about in the previous verse.
  • Hard work and taking the narrow path is the correct way to live one’s life.
  • Too often in today’s world, people look for the quickest solution, which, almost invariably, is not a solution but a trap that leads us astray.
  • A follower of Christ needs to be patient.
    • Philippians 1:6 I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
    • Hebrews 12:1b-2 Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.
    • Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
  • There’s also a warning in verse nine.
    • We need to control how we respond to situations, especially those which upset us. This also includes situations where “righteous anger” is appropriate.
    • Often, we can jump to conclusions before we know the full story.
    • How often can that lead to damaged relationships because of a simple misunderstanding?
      • Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man who speaks too soon? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
      • Proverbs 19:3 A man’s own foolishness leads him astray, yet his heart rages against the Lord.
      • Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.
      • Acts 19:36 Therefore, since these things are undeniable, you must keep calm and not do anything rash. 

Verse 10

  • This verse also contains a warning.
  • When things get difficult, we often lack the patience to get through the situation, and instead, we yearn for the “good old days” because we think they were better.
  • A prime example is the Exodus from Egypt.
    • God was leading His people into the promised land.
    • However, every time things got tough, the people would cry out for the “good old days” of living in bondage.
  • Looking back on past events is vital to gain a true perspective of things. The Bible even commands us to do that.
    • Isaiah 46:8-9 Remember this and be brave; take it to heart, you transgressors! 9 Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and no one is like Me.
    • Psalm 42:4 I remember this as I pour out my heart: how I walked with many, leading the festive procession to the house of God, with joyful and thankful shouts.
  • We are not to dwell on the past or cause it to skew our decision-making in the present.
  • The only time to dwell on past blessings is when we give thanks to God or as a reminder of how He has been faithful to us.
  • However, if we spend too much time reflecting on past blessings, we can miss out on what God is doing around us and trying to do through us in the present.

Verses 11-12

  • What is better, wisdom or wealth?
  • A sign of maturity is the ability to put life into perspective and not get out of balance.
  • Godly wisdom is more valuable than wealth.
    • Money can lose its value, be stolen, or be spent foolishly.
    • Wisdom keeps its value and can’t be lost unless we become foolish and throw our wisdom away or ignore it.
  • A person who has wealth but lacks wisdom will often waste their wealth.
  • A person who has wisdom will know how to acquire and use wealth.
  • Wisdom can help us navigate the difficult time, regardless of our financial situation.

Verses 13-14

  • The point here is that God is in control of all things; His will can’t be resisted or changed.
  • God brings both prosperity and times of testing.
  • When we are experiencing good times, we should enjoy the prosperity.
  • When we are being tested, we should understand and accept that this is also from God.
  • We don’t know what tomorrow will bring; it could be wealth or a season of testing.
  • Regardless, we can accept that God is in control.
    • Lamentations 3:38 Do not both adversity and good come from the mouth of the Most High?
    • Philippians 4:12-13 I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.
  • We would do well to remember Paul’s words above. Paul was content regardless of his circumstances. And we also must correctly understand verse thirteen. It doesn’t mean we can do anything we want. It does mean we can endure whatever circumstances we find ourselves in when we are walking in obedience to God.

Applications.

  • As we consider applications to this passage, I want us to consider the world today in contrast to this passage. We live in a very materialistic and self-centered world, and this passage screams disagreement with what the world says we should pursue. Often, the world’s pressures leave us looking for a way out, a way to escape what the world says is right. Against this backdrop, I want us to consider the following applications.
  • Don’t live for temporal worldly recognition. Focus on obedience to God and what His Word says. If that results in adulation and recognition, it’s okay. Just remember to give glory to God and not think too highly of yourself.
  • Remember, our life is like a puff of smoke on the timeline of eternity. Francis Chan has a wonderful illustration of this. Think of the longest rope or string you can imagine (it will never be long enough), and put one drop of red ink at the beginning. The red ink is our life, and the rest of the string is eternity after we leave this world. Why do we focus so much on the red ink and not eternity? Don’t chase after the temporal; chase after the eternal.
  • If you are blessed with monetary success, use it to bless others and help those in need. It doesn’t mean we need to sacrifice it all and live in poverty (although it’s possible God may direct you on that path), but if we’re stingy while living in opulence, our lives are not shining the light of Christ.
  • Persevere through whatever trials you’re going through. If it’s because of disobedience, confess and return to God. If it’s because you’re being tested and refined, rejoice in the process and prepare yourself for further Kingdom work.
  • When we die, we won’t be able to take anything with us. As we stand before Jesus, will we hear, “well done, good and faithful servant,” or will we hear, “depart from me, for I never knew you”?
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Ecclesiastes Lesson Eleven

Ecclesiastes Lesson Eleven: Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12 – Power and Wealth: God’s Perspective

If you see oppression of the poor and perversion of justice and righteousness in the province, don’t be astonished at the situation, because one official protects another official, and higher officials protect them. 9 The profit from the land is taken by all; the king is served by the field. 

10 The one who loves money is never satisfied with money, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This too is futile. 11 When good things increase, the ones who consume them multiply; what, then, is the profit to the owner, except to gaze at them with his eyes? 12 The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich permits him no sleep. 

13 There is a sickening tragedy I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm. 14 That wealth was lost in a bad venture, so when he fathered a son, he was empty-handed. 15 As he came from his mother’s womb, so he will go again, naked as he came; he will take nothing for his efforts that he can carry in his hands. 16 This too is a sickening tragedy: exactly as he comes, so he will go. What does the one gain who struggles for the wind? 17 What is more, he eats in darkness all his days, with much sorrow, sickness, and anger. 

18 Here is what I have seen to be good: it is appropriate to eat, drink, and experience good in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of his life God has given him, because that is his reward. 19 God has also given riches and wealth to every man, and He has allowed him to enjoy them, take his reward, and rejoice in his labor. This is a gift of God, 20 for he does not often consider the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart. 

6 Here is a tragedy I have observed under the sun, and it weighs heavily on humanity:  2 God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor so that he lacks nothing of all he desires for himself, but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a sickening tragedy. 3 A man may father a hundred children and live many years. No matter how long he lives, if he is not satisfied by good things and does not even have a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. 4 For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness. 5 Though a stillborn child does not see the sun and is not conscious, it has more rest than he. 6 And if he lives a thousand years twice, but does not experience happiness, do not both go to the same place? 

7 All man’s labor is for his stomach,

yet the appetite is never satisfied. 

8 What advantage then does the wise man have over the fool? What advantage is there for the poor person who knows how to conduct himself before others? 9 Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. 

10 Whatever exists was given its name long ago, and it is known what man is. But he is not able to contend with the One stronger than he. 11 For when there are many words, they increase futility. What is the advantage for man? 12 For who knows what is good for man in life, in the few days of his futile life that he spends like a shadow? Who can tell man what will happen after him under the sun? (HCSB)

There are several ways to divide this passage, but I’ll be using the following outline.

  • Political corruption – verses 5:8-9.
  • Wealth – verses 5:10-6:9.
  • The proper perspective – verses 6:10-12.

Political Corruption

The teacher is telling the readers they shouldn’t be shocked when they see or hear about corruption in high places within a government. He makes several points in these two verses.

  • When a government has multiple levels of administration, it is inevitable that corruption will occur.
  • When there is a large number of officials who have an opportunity to make themselves rich through the abuse of political power, some will succumb to the temptation.
  • Oppression, even if conducted by individuals, has structural and systemic aspects. 
  • Often, numerous people at different levels within the organizational structure work together to oppress the less fortunate and benefit themselves.
  • Verse nine does present some difficulty and generated much debate.
    • It could simply mean the king is at the top and in control of the oppressive structure.
    • In contrast, it could mean that the king keeps the oppressive structure from being overbearing, allowing all members of society to benefit in at least a small measure.

The teacher now moves from the issue of oppression for personal gain to the root cause of oppression.

Wealth

The love of money is the root cause of oppression. Money has become a false god, incapable of satisfying the hunger and thirst of a person obsessed with it: “whoever loves money never has money enough.” Profit won’t fulfill those who pursue it, but it only feeds the insatiable desire for more.

In chapter two, the teacher had already discussed the futility of wealth, and some of those same ideas are repeated here. However, a difference in this section is that he refutes some of the myths people have about wealth. Because people hold fast to these illusions, they rob themselves of the blessings God has for them. Here are the myths the teacher refutes.

  • Wealth brings satisfaction.
    • Some people treat money as a god.
    • They’ll do anything to get it, and once they get it, they think the money can accomplish whatever they desire.
    • Their minds are controlled by getting more money.
    • These people place their faith in money, not God.
    • However, money will never satisfy, no matter how much anyone has.
    • 1 Timothy 6:10a  For the love of money is a root  of all kinds of evil.
  • Money solves every problem.
    • People do need a certain amount of money in order to live in this world.
    • But money itself is not the remedy for every problem.
    • Often, an increase in wealth creates new problems.
    • A quote from John Wesley sums up how Christians should view wealth, “Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can.”
  • Wealth brings peace of mind.
    • There is no correlation between wealth and peace of mind.
    • The teacher tells us that the rich will not have sound and peaceful sleep.
    • John D. Rockefeller became the world’s only billionaire at the age of fifty-three.
      • But he lived on crackers and milk and couldn’t sleep because of worry.
      • Once he started to give his money away, his health dramatically improved, and he lived to the age of ninety-eight.
  • Wealth provides security.
    • The teacher paints the picture of two men in verses 13-17.
    • One hoarded all his wealth and became a miser.
    • The other  made unsound investments and lost his wealth.
      • He was back to where he started.
      • He had no estate to leave to his son.
      • He spent the remainder of his days in discouragement and didn’t enjoy life.

In his narratives on poverty and wealth, the teacher is not advocating in favor of either path; each has its own problems. He is warning the reader against the love of money and the misplaced belief that wealth will bring happiness.

In the last three verses of chapter five, the teacher tells the reader how to approach work and money.

  • What should be considered good?
    • To labor faithfully in the work assigned to us.
    • To enjoy the good things in life, eating and drinking.
    • Accept these things as a gift from God.
  • When we have this perspective about life, we will enjoy what we have and not be envious of what others have.
  • Our hearts will be filled with joy, knowing that what we have, whether it is little or much, comes from God.
  • The ability to enjoy life’s blessings is also a gift from God.
    • We thank God for our food when we say grace.
    • How often do we thank God for our taste buds which allow us to enjoy the taste of the food?
  • The important thing is to love the Lord, accept the lot He gives us, and enjoy the blessings He graciously gives to us.
    • If we focus on the gifts more than the giver, we are guilty of idolatry.
    • If we accept the gifts but complain about them, we are guilty of ingratitude.
    • If we hoard His gifts and don’t share them, we are guilty of indulgence.
    • However, if we yield to His will and use what He gives us for His glory, our lives will be filled with joy, and we’ll be satisfied.

As we move into chapter six, the teacher continues the basic discussions about wealth.

  • The teacher observed time and again where people accumulated wealth but were unable to enjoy it.
  • Think about how frustrating it would be to have great wealth but to be unable to enjoy the blessings of life.
  • In the example in verse two, the wealthy man had great wealth, but he had no heir to pass it along to. Instead, all that he had went to a complete stranger after his death.
  • In verses 3-6, the teacher is making a hypothetical case, as no one person could live for two thousand years or father a hundred children.
    • No matter how much someone possesses, if you don’t have the power to enjoy it, it would be better to have never been born.
    • This man had plentiful resources and a large family, both of which were marks of God’s favor to an Old Testament Jew.
    • But his family didn’t love him. When he died, there was no mourning for his passing.
    • In reality, this rich man was actually very poor.
  • The ability to enjoy life comes from the inside. It’s a matter of character and not circumstances.
    • Philippians 4:11  I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
    • The Greek word translated as “content,” contains the idea of “self-contained, adequate, needing nothing from the outside.”
    • Paul contained within his being all the resources he needed to face life with courage and triumph over the challenges he faced.
    • Philippians 4:13  I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.

The teacher now contrasts the poor man’s situation with the wealthy man.

  • Both the rich and the poor need to work in order to live.
    • The rich man can use his money to “work” for him.
    • The poor man has to use his energy to provide for himself and his family.
    • However, neither ends up being satisfied.
  • Why do people eat? So they can live. But what good does it do to add years to our lives if we’re not able to add life to our years?
  • The teacher isn’t saying it’s wrong to work or to eat.
    • It is possible to enjoy doing both.
    • But if our lives consist only of working and eating, we are controlled by our appetites and are no better than animals.
    • We are made in the image of God, and we shouldn’t live as animals.
  • Verse 9 is an early version of the saying, “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
    • The Greek philosopher Plutarch said, “He is a fool who lets slip a bird in the hand for a bird in the bush.”
    • The teacher is saying, “It’s better to have a little and enjoy it than to dream about much and never attain it.”
    • Dreams can quickly become nightmares.
    • The teacher isn’t saying it’s wrong to dream great dreams, but we must be careful that our dreams are motivated by and for the glory of God and not the praise of men.
    • We should desire to serve others and not promote ourselves.
    • Psalm 16:11  You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.

The Proper Perspective

  • Up to this point, the teacher has observed that life is a dead-end street for two kinds of people.
    • Those who have riches but experience no enjoyment.
    • Those who labor but have no satisfaction.
  • But he also pointed out that true happiness is not an automatic result of making a good living; it is the blessed result of making a good life.
    • If you devote your life only to the pursuit of happiness, you will be miserable.
    • If you devote your life to doing God’s will, you will also find happiness.
  • It appears the teacher is touching on five questions people often ask in the last three verses of this passage.
    • Because “what’s going to be is going to be, why bother to make decisions? Isn’t it all predestined anyway?
      • Our world is not a prison; we have the freedom to act as we see fit.
      • God can accomplish His divine purpose with or without us, but He invites us to work with Him.
      • We cooperate when we accept the names He has given to things; sin, obedience, and truth.
      • When we change the meaning of these names, we move into a world of illusion and lose touch with reality.
      • We are free to make choices, but we aren’t free to change the consequences.
    • Why disagree with God? We can’t oppose Him, can we?
      • The word “contend” means to dispute. 
      • It doesn’t pay to argue or fight with God.
      • The will of God comes from the heart of God and is an expression of His love for us.
      • God’s will is the best path for each of us.
      • Insisting on our “freedom of choice” is actually the worst kind of bondage.
      • Our greatest freedom is when we are lost in the will of God.
    • What do we accomplish with all of these words? Does talking about it solve the problem?
      • At times it seems that the more we discuss an issue, the less we understand it.
      • Words can bring clarity, but they can also bring confusion and darkness.
      • Only God’s Word can bring clarity and wisdom.
    • Who knows what’s good for us?
      • Only God does.
      • A person is wise if they take time and listen to what God says.
      • 1 John 2:17b  but the one who does God’s will remains forever.
    • Does anybody know what’s coming next?
      • Nobody knows the future except for God.
      • It’s a waste of time to speculate.
      • God will give us enough information to encourage us.
      • The future certainty is death. We need to make the best use of our present opportunities before we pass from this world.

Applications

  • We must peacefully fight oppression wherever and whenever we see it.
    • If it’s within an organization or group you are a part of; you may be able to confront it directly.
    • If it’s outside your direct control or ability to impact it, peacefully organized demonstrations to fight against it.
  • Find a healthy balance between work, stuff, and leisure time that aligns with God’s will. This may require changes to one or more areas of your life. A question to ask yourself is, “are you content and joyful with your current circumstances in life?” If the answer is no, then adjustments are needed.
  • In the end, each of us will die and spend eternity in one of two places. This reality begs us to ask two questions to ourselves.
    • Have you surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, secure in spending eternity in the presence of God in heaven? Or are you still walking in disobedience, and if you died today, you’d spend eternity separated from God in hell?
    • If you are a follower of Christ, are you making the most of your time to glorify God and advance His kingdom? If you aren’t, repent and get back on track to fulfilling your God-given purpose.
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Ecclesiastes Lesson Ten

Ecclesiastes Lesson Ten: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 – Authentic Religion

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Better to draw near in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do, for they ignorantly do wrong. 2  Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. 3 For dreams result from much work and a fool’s voice from many words. 4 When you make a vow to God, don’t delay fulfilling it, because He does not delight in fools. Fulfill what you vow. 5 Better that you do not vow than that you vow and not fulfill it. 6 Do not let your mouth bring guilt on you, and do not say in the presence of the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For many dreams bring futility, so do many words.  Therefore, fear God. (HCSB)

In the previous sections, the teacher made observations about the courtroom, the marketplace, the highway, and the palace. Now, in chapter five, he visits the temple.

As we move into chapter five, the teacher addresses the issue of our tongue. As we look through Scripture, both the Old and New Testaments, we see numerous times where the tongue and its use are addressed. As we review these examples, keep in mind the tongue can both tear down as well as build up others. The tongue can inflame a situation, or it can calm a situation. The question to ask is, do we control our tongue, or does our tongue control us?

Proverbs 10:20  The tongue of the righteous is pure silver; the heart of the wicked is of little value.

Proverbs 12:18  There is one who speaks rashly, like a piercing sword; but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12:19  Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue, only a moment.

Proverbs 15:2  The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.

Proverbs 15:4  The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit. 

Proverbs 18:21  Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Psalm 19:14  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 34:13  Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.

Matthew 12:36  I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak.

James 1:26  If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, then his religion is useless and he deceives himself.

James 3:6  And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell. 

1 Peter 3:10  For the one who wants to love life and to see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the passage.

  • In a macro sense, the teacher observed many who were not sincere in their worship.
    • They were robbing God of the reverence and honor He deserved.
    • Their acts of worship were fleeting, insincere, and hypocritical.
    • The phrase “Guard your steps” should be interpreted as “proceed with reverence.”
  • In the context of the worshippers in Jerusalem at this time, God’s presence dwelt in the temple.
    • For worshippers during this period in Israel’s history, coming into the temple should have been a reverent act.
    • For worshippers today, even though God doesn’t “dwell” in the church building, gathering together as believers and worshipping God should be done with a proper heart attitude.
    • Isaiah 1:10-20  Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah! 11 “What are all your sacrifices to Me?” asks the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings and rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I have no desire for the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats. 12 When you come to appear before Me, who requires this from you—this trampling of My courts? 13 Stop bringing useless offerings. Your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons and Sabbaths, and the calling of solemn assemblies — I cannot stand iniquity with a festival. 14 I hate your New Moons and prescribed festivals. They have become a burden to Me; I am tired of putting up with them. 15 When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will refuse to look at you; even if you offer countless prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. 16 “Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil. 7 Learn to do what is good. Seek justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause. 18 “Come, let us discuss this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will be like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land. 20 But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. 
    • During the temple period, animals were sacrificed to atone for sins. When Jesus went to the cross and sacrificed His life for us, animal sacrifices were no longer required. However, every believer has a priestly identity; we do, in a manner of speaking, offer sacrifices to God.
      • Our bodies – Romans 12:1-2  Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you  to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
      • Witness to others – Romans 15:6  so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice.
      • Our money – Philippians 4:18  But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
      • Our praise and good works – Hebrews 13:15-16  Therefore, through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name. 16 Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.
      • Psalm 51:17  The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.
      • Psalm 141:1-2  Lord, I call on You; hurry to help me. Listen to my voice when I call on You. 2 May my prayer be set before You as incense, the raising of my hands as the evening offering.
    • Sacrifices are not a substitute for obedience. We only need to consider the example of King Saul in 1 Samuel 15:12-23.
    • As we consider this first verse, let’s consider two attributes about God that anyone who goes to worship should remember.
      • God is holy. Worshipping God should be considered holy.
        • The day of worship – Exodus 16:23  He told them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil, and set aside everything left over to be kept until morning.’ ”
        • The place of worship – Exodus 26:33-34  Hang the veil under the clasps and bring the ark of the testimony there behind the veil, so the veil will make a separation for you between the holy place and the most holy place. 34 Put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.
        • The offering – Leviticus 6:25-27  Tell Aaron and his sons: This is the law of the sin offering. The sin offering is most holy and must be slaughtered before the Lord at the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered. 26 The priest who offers it as a sin offering is to eat it. It must be eaten in a holy place, in the courtyard of the tent of meeting. 27 Anything that touches its flesh will become holy, and if any of its blood spatters on a garment, then you must wash that garment in a holy place.
        • The priests – Leviticus 21:7  They are not to marry a woman defiled by prostitution. They are not to marry one divorced by her husband, for the priest is holy to his God. 
        • The worshippers – 2 Chronicles 20:21  Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing for the Lord and some to praise the splendor of His holiness. When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing: Give thanks to the Lord, for His faithful love endures forever.
      • Holiness is not just an Old Testament theme.
        • Jesus drove the money changers from the temple – Matthew 21:12-13  Jesus went into the temple complex and drove out all those buying and selling in the temple. He overturned the money changers’ tables and the chairs of those selling doves. 13 And He said to them, “It is written, My house will be called a house of prayer. But you are making it a den of thieves!”
        • Reflection before taking communion – 1 Corinthians 11:27-28  Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy way will be guilty of sin against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 So a man should examine himself; in this way he should eat the bread and drink from the cup.
        • Act in a manner reflecting reverence and godly fear – Hebrews 12:28-29  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
      • Holiness has three dimensions.
        • Reverence towards the one we worship.
        • It means to be “set apart for God.”
        • The worshipper and worship need to be pure and sinless.
    • The authority of God.
      • Our understanding of God’s authority comes from Scripture.
        • John 4:24  God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
        • Worshipping in truth, means to understand and know truth, which is Scripture.
      • Too often, God’s people are concerned about how the message is produced and given instead of the content of the message.
      • You may have heard the phrase “Form over substance” before. However, that’s backward. We should be more concerned about substance and not pay so much attention to form.
    • When we have the right attitude regarding worship, the rest of the observations the teacher makes in the remaining verses of this passage will no longer be a concern.
  • Verses two and three address the issue of speaking too quickly or saying too much. Both of these represent cases where our tongue gets us in trouble. In these verses, the teacher is addressing prayers to God.
    • Prayers should never be spoken in a flippant or casual manner.
    • Most of us have been given opportunities to present some type of speech or presentation before others, maybe even during a very important event. When those occasions arise, do we just “wing it,” or do we diligently prepare our words and take them seriously?
    • We should have the same attitude when we speak to God.
      • It’s true that sometimes we may not know what to say, but the Holy Spirit will lead us.
      • What we should have is a reverent attitude towards God as we enter into prayer.
      • Our heart condition is the most important aspect of our prayer life. Enter into prayer with a humble and repentant heart.
    • Don’t pray rashly or ramble, trying to make an eloquent petition. God doesn’t need either or honor either one.
      • Psalm 141:1-2  Lord, I call on You; hurry to help me. Listen to my voice when I call on You. 2 May my prayer be set before You as incense, the raising of my hands as the evening offering.
      • Matthew 12:34-37  Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. 35 A good man produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil man produces evil things from his storeroom of evil. 36 I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account  for every careless word they speak. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
      • Spurgeon was once quoted saying, “It is not the length of our prayers, but the strength of our prayers, that makes the difference.”
  • Verses four through seven address the issue of making vows to God.
    • God doesn’t require us to make vows, but if we do make one, we must be sure to honor the vow.
      • Deuteronomy 23:21-23  If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will require it of you, and it will be counted against you as sin. 22 But if you refrain from making a vow, it will not be counted against you as sin. 23 Be careful to do whatever comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed what you promised to the Lord your God.
      • Acts 18:18  So Paul, having stayed on for many days, said good-bye to the brothers and sailed away to Syria. Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He shaved his head at Cenchreae because he had taken a vow.
    • However, vows were an integral part of Jewish worship.
    • The teacher is implying that many vows made to God are not necessary, but once made, they must be kept. The most tragic is the story of Jephthah and his daughter in Judges 11:29-40.
    • The teacher addressed two sins when making vows.
      • Making a vow with no intention of keeping it. In essence, people who do this are lying to God.
      • Making a vow but not honoring it in a timely manner. In some cases, the person who made the vow may be looking for a way to get out of it.
    • God hears what we say and will hold us to our promises. The only exception would be those vows which are completely foolish.
    • If circumstances prevent us from completing it or it’s delayed, God understands and won’t hold the vow against us.
    • We shouldn’t make vows in an effort to impress others. 
    • At times, believers live in a religious dream world.
      • They believe that words are as good as deeds.
      • Their worship is not serious, which makes their words not dependable.
      • They practice a make-believe religion that neither glorifies God nor builds Christian character.
    • Psalm 66:13-14  I will enter Your house with burnt offerings; I will pay You my vows 14 that my lips promised and my mouth spoke during my distress.
    • When we rob God of the worship and honor He is due, we rob ourselves of the spiritual blessings He gives to those who worship Him in spirit and in truth.
    • The identity of the “messenger” in verse six needs to be broached. Who was the messenger?
      • God.
      • An angel, possibly the angel of death.
      • A prophet.
      • A priest.
      • A messenger from the temple.
    • The most likely identity is the last one, a messenger from the temple. This person was sent by the priest to collect unfulfilled vows.

Applications

  • Prepare your heart as you enter into worship. This applies to corporate worship at the various church services during the week. It also applies to small group meetings and your personal prayer time with God. Each of these, as well as our daily lives, is an act of worship. We must enter it with the proper heart condition.
  • Before you make any promise to God, take time to count the cost. God would rather have you reflect on your potential vow and even change it if you can’t keep it, rather than make a vow and then fail to stay true to your word. Once you do make a vow, fulfill it in full and in a timely manner.
  • In all our actions, words, and deeds, we should have a reverent fear of God. When we walk in that manner, our lives will be filled with joy, and we’ll experience the blessings and protection of God.