Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Ec 5:1 and following. Indeed, vs. 1 and 2 recall what befits the presence of God. Let’s ensure that our attitude and conduct in meetings are respectful and modest. The fear of God must characterize the faithful of all times and we are not entitled to any relaxation on the pretext that we are today in the freedom of grace. From v. 10, it is again a question of wealth. “He who loves money is not satisfied with money…” A miser looks like someone who tries to quench his thirst with seawater. The more he drinks, the more intense his thirst becomes. Such is the deception of riches (Matt. 13:18-23). We have the illusion of using money, and in reality we are slaves to it. One of two things: either the riches will be kept to their masters for their spiritual detriment (v. 13); or they perish without profit to anyone (v. 14; Jam 5:1-6). Finally sooner or later it will be necessary to part with it to die (v. 15). A death sheet has no pockets – someone said. The treasures accumulated in some ancient burials did not follow their owners into the afterlife. 1 Tim 6:17-19 solves this problem of wealth perfectly for the Christian.
The proverbial part of Ecclesiastes (which begins, strictly speaking, in v. 5 of chapter 4) into which we enter and which will reach its full expression in chapters 10 and 11 might seem, at first glance, to betray a lack of follow-up in the structure of this Book, but it is enough, to convince oneself of the contrary, to note that the word vanity dominates both this proverbial part and the discourse of the beginning. All the sentences of Ecclesiastes lead, in fact, to this word. V. 1-7 continue the course of thoughts presented in vs. 5-16 of the previous chapter, that is, they make the part of what can be consistent with God’s thoughts under the sun. They show us what belongs to the fear of God in the midst of the vanities of the earth (v. 7). The fear of God, as we have said, is one of the purposes of Ecclesiastes. This principle is even the only one that directs the conduct of the wise in a world where everything is vanity and pursuit of the wind. The necessity of this fear is already stated in chapter 3:14; the last words of the Book will show us that it is “the whole of man.” It is, in fact, the only thing that must characterize man in relation to God by faith, without him having yet received from Him a positive Revelation.
We therefore find in these first verses what man’s relationship with God must be when he approaches Him in his home. What he has to do, in the first place, is to listen to what God has to say to him, while the foolish, in their ignorance of God’s character, come to offer sacrifices worthless in His eyes. – We then find (vs. 2:3) that the fear of God will make us ourselves use few words before the One who is in heaven, while the fool does exactly the opposite. Finally (vs. 4-7) it is necessary to fulfill a vow, that is, the decision, freely taken, to devote oneself to God and to serve Him without restriction. There is sin, after having taken a vow, to renounce it, giving as an excuse that it was an involuntary error before the angel who witnessed it. The fool does such things; he who fears God does not revoke the word he has given Him. All relations with God are therefore summed up in this one word: fear. Do not forget that there are vanities, even in the claim to have received direct communications from God (dreams) and that often the dream, instead of being a divine communication, is the fruit of all the occupations of the day (vs. 3: 7).
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
Don’t talk too much before God:
- Heaven, the place where God dwells
Ps 73:25 What else do I have in heaven than you! And on earth I take pleasure only in you. Ps 123:1 Song of degrees, I lift up my eyes to you, Who sit in heaven. Isaiah 66:1 Thus saith the Lord: Heaven is my throne, and earth my stepping stone. What house could you build me, and what place would you give me as your home? Mt 16:2 Jesus answered them: In the evening you say: It will be beautiful, for the sky is red; and in the morning:
- Useless words condemned
Pr 10:19 He who speaks a lot does not fail to sin, but he who holds his lips is a prudent man. Ec 5:2 For if dreams arise from the multitude of occupations, the voice of the fool is heard in the multitude of words. Ec 10:13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his speech is wicked madness. Tt 1.10 There are, in fact, especially among the circumcised, many rebellious people, vain discoureurs and seducers,
- Wrath of God
Ps 2:12 Kiss the son, lest he become irritated, and you perish in your way, for his anger is quick to ignite. Blessed are all those who trust in him! John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not believe in the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath dwells upon him. Rom 1:18 God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and injustice of men who unjustly hold the truth captive, Rom 2:8 but irritation and anger to those who, in the spirit of contention, are rebellious to the truth and obey injustice.
- God’s gifts to men, temporal
Dt 11:14 I shall give your country the rain in its time, the rain of the first and late season, and thou shalt collect thy wheat, wort, and oil; Ps 127:2 In vain you rise in the morning, go to bed late, and eat the bread of sorrow; He gives as much to his loved ones while they sleep. Ps 136:25 He who gives food to all flesh, for his mercy lasts forever! Ps 145:15 The eyes of all hope in you, and you give them food in its time.
From all the above, we note thates v. 8, 9, relate to the first three verses of chapter 4. For thewise man need not be surprised when he sees the poor oppressed and the right trampled underfoot, for God beware of all the injustices that are committed in the world and he is the Supreme Judge (Ps. 11:5). V. 9-17 again accentuate the vanity of wealth and love of money in contrast to the cultivation of the soil. The increase in goods also increases the number of those who eat them. The man who possesses them never enjoys rest, while the latter is gentle on the one who works in whatever material position he finds himself. This whole passage, since v. 4 of chapter 4, shows us, therefore, alongside the evil and oppression that reign in the world, some happy consequences of conduct according to the principles of God’s government. From v. 13 to the end of chapter 6 the Preacher takes up the subject of the painful evils he saw under the sun in chapter 4:1-3. Versets 13-17. – Wealth is to the detriment of those who possess it (do not forget that, for the Jew, wealth was a sign of God’s favor); either it perishes and the son who was to inherit it has nothing; or finally the rich leaves them himself by death and returns naked, as when he came out of his mother’s womb. He is born to die and what lies between birth and death is nothing but darkness, sorrow, illness, gnawing of spirit. Finally (v. 18-20) we meet for the third time (Ec 2:24, 25; 3:12, 13) the conclusion of all these bitter and painful experiences: “This is what I have seen of good and beautiful: it is to eat and drink and to enjoy well-being in all the work which man torments himself under the sun every day of his life, that God has given him; for that is his part.” There is for man only this short present enjoyment, for the memory of man is only that of sorrow and work and the future, being unknown, cannot be mentioned. It is only at the end of the Book that we see what this enjoyment leads to. Forat the beginning of chapter 5, God demands respect from man. The madness of the heart is truly madness before Him. From then on we see that what takes away from the heart the senseless hope of earthly happiness, gives more true joy to the heart that becomes wise, and therefore joyful, by separating itself from the world. So there is also the grace of patience. The pretentious effort to be just results only in shame; stirring for evil only results in death. Finally, it is to work in vain to strive to acquire wisdom through the knowledge of the things of this world. Ecclesiastes found two things: having judged the woman according to the experience of this world, he did not meet a good one, while he found a man among a thousand; in a word, God made man righteous, but he sought many reasonings far from Him. Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to react to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow ” Vanity of riches and insatiable desires ( Ec 6).
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Lord of Hosts.