Solomon on Worship: Ecclesiastes 5
Solomon on worship:
1. Be cautious when you enter the house of God. He hears your vows--your commitments. It is better not to utter a commitment than to say you will serve and then fall short of your vow.
Reminds me of Jesus: Matthew 5:33-37. 33"Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ 34But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or’No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil."
2. Listen when you enter God's house. Are your words more valuable than God's Word?
3. Stand in awe of God. He builds and he tears down. He holds your present and your future in his hands. Honor him.
4. Love God and him alone. He who loves money never has enough. His wealth does not permit him peace. (5:10, 12) Money comes and goes (5:14-15). God is forever. Love God alone.
5. Praise God for his provision and peace. He gives money and possession, and enables the receiver to enjoy the gift--to accept his lot and enjoy his work. This is a gift from God. Happy is the man who seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart. (5:19-20)
1. Be cautious when you enter the house of God. He hears your vows--your commitments. It is better not to utter a commitment than to say you will serve and then fall short of your vow.
Reminds me of Jesus: Matthew 5:33-37. 33"Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ 34But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or’No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil."
2. Listen when you enter God's house. Are your words more valuable than God's Word?
3. Stand in awe of God. He builds and he tears down. He holds your present and your future in his hands. Honor him.
4. Love God and him alone. He who loves money never has enough. His wealth does not permit him peace. (5:10, 12) Money comes and goes (5:14-15). God is forever. Love God alone.
5. Praise God for his provision and peace. He gives money and possession, and enables the receiver to enjoy the gift--to accept his lot and enjoy his work. This is a gift from God. Happy is the man who seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart. (5:19-20)
Labels: Ecclesiastes, worship
posted by Randy Rogers at
2:13 PM
2 Comments:
I think, whether Solomon was slipping in his faith or not here in Ecclesiastes, he was dealing, knowingly or not, with people of lesser reputation, wealth, power, and wisdom who understandably could have been jealous and grumbling at the inequity and asking "What if(or 'If only') I instead of Soloman...". So the message becomes one presented in negativity to demonstrate that even with power, prestige, wealth and even wisdom, one is subject to life in a natural world and susceptible to the frustrations from the inevitable failures experienced in that world...and that God is the source of all power and such so we should remember Him in that light.
After further review, I don't think Solomon is slipping in his faith in God as much as he is slipping in his faith of material things. The inevitable failures have provided some valuable "end of life" lessons that he is putting on paper here. I think in the end he is trusting more in God, and that is a good thing even in light of personal frustration.
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