Worship in Reverence

Introduction

Worship is one of the most vital aspects of our relationship with God.

However, in our modern culture, it is easy to approach worship casually, focusing more on external expressions than the posture of our hearts.

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 offers a sobering reminder that our worship must be marked by reverence, humility, and sincerity.

Qoheleth warns us against thoughtless rituals and empty words, calling us instead to approach God with a listening heart and a deep awareness of His holiness.

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Ecclesiastes 5:1–7 NIV

1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. 2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. 3 A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool. 4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. 6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? 7 Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.

Guard Your Steps: The Posture of Worship

"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." (Eccl. 5:1)

Qoheleth begins by instructing worshipers to "guard their steps" when approaching God.

This phrase, often used in wisdom literature, refers to a careful, intentional approach. Worship is not about fulfilling an obligation or going through the motions—it is about drawing near to listen and obey.

"the sacrifice of fools" refers to an empty sacrifice, where individuals go through the ritual but miss its meaning.

True worship requires us to come with a heart ready to listen rather than a heart filled with meaningless chatter (Hubbard and Ogilvie, 130).

John 4:24 CSB

24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth.”

As Jesus later affirms, "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:24).

Let Your Words Be Few: The Danger of Empty Words

"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." (Eccl. 5:2)

One of the greatest temptations in worship is to fill quiet spaces with meaningless words. We don’t like quite. We fill it with, Music, Audio Books, Chatter.

This is not only a sign of spiritual immaturity but also reflects the sinfulness of our hearts (Moore and Akin, 65). We should not approach God with the same boldness and carelessness that we use in everyday speech (Moore and Akin, 66).

Our prayers and worship should be marked by a deep awareness of God's majesty.

Rather than trying to impress God with our words, we should come before Him with a humble and listening heart.

Matthew 6:7 CSB

7 When you pray, don’t babble like the Gentiles, since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words.

Jesus warns against vain repetitions in prayer (Matt. 6:7), reminding us that God desires sincerity, not verbosity.

Fulfill Your Vows: The Integrity of Worship

"When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay." (Eccl. 5:4-5)

In ancient Israel, vows were a significant part of worship. They were often made in times of distress, promising a special offering or commitment in response to God’s deliverance (Hubbard and Ogilvie, 133).

However, Qoheleth warns that failing to fulfill a vow is a serious offense. It is better not to make a vow at all than to make one lightly and fail to keep it.

This principle applies to our worship today.

Whether through prayer, service, or financial giving, we must be people of integrity. Worship is not about making empty promises but about sincere devotion and obedience to God.

Fear God: The Foundation of True Worship

"But God is the one you must fear." (Eccl. 5:7b)

The passage concludes with a call to fear God.

The "fear of the Lord" is a foundational theme in wisdom literature, representing reverence, awe, and obedience.

It can refer to corporate worship, personal devotion, and the identity of a true believer (Knox, Lexham Bible Dictionary).

Fake religion distressed Qoheleth as much as vain pleasure, proud wisdom, and abused justice (Hubbard and Ogilvie, 130). Worship without reverence is meaningless.

True worship is marked by a deep respect for God’s holiness and an acknowledgment of our dependence on Him.

Application: Evaluating Our Worship

Are we approaching worship with reverence? Do we come to church prepared to meet with God, or do we treat it as a routine activity?

Are we listening more than we are speaking? Do our prayers reflect a heart that desires to hear from God, or are they filled with empty words?

Are we keeping our commitments to God? Whether through service, giving, or personal devotion, are we honoring the commitments we have made to the Lord?

Do we truly fear God? Is our worship marked by awe, obedience, and humility?

Conclusion

Worship is not about external rituals or wordy prayers—it is about approaching God with a heart of reverence, humility, and sincerity. Qoheleth reminds us that God is in heaven, and we are on earth. Our words should be few, our steps should be careful, and our commitments should be kept. Ultimately, true worship begins with a right understanding of who God is and a heart that fears Him.

May we be a people who worship in reverence, drawing near to listen, honoring our commitments, and standing in awe of the Almighty God.

Bibliography

David G. Moore and Daniel L. Akin, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, ed. Max Anders, vol. 14 (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2003).

David A. Hubbard and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, vol. 16, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1991).

James W. Knox, “Fear of the Lord,” in The Lexham Bible Dictionary, ed. John D. Barry et al. (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).

Lohfink, Norbert. A Continental Commentary: Qoheleth. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003.

Cone, Christopher. Life Beyond the Sun: An Introduction to Worldview & Philosophy through the Lens of Ecclesiastes. Ft. Worth, TX: Tyndale Seminary Press, 2009.

YouTube

Title: Worship in Reverence | Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Description: How do we approach God in worship? Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 reminds us to come before Him with awe, humility, and sincerity. In this sermon, we explore the dangers of empty words, careless vows, and thoughtless worship. True worship isn’t about meaningless rituals—it’s about a heart that listens, obeys, and fears the Lord.

Join us as we evaluate our approach to worship and devotion, seeking to draw near to God in a way that honors Him.

📖 Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 📝 Sermon Series: Ecclesiastes: The Quest for Meaning 📍 Visit Us: laughlinchurch.com 📲 Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram

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Notes

Sermon Notes: Worship in Reverence Ecclesiastes: The Quest for Meaning Text: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 Theme: Approaching God with awe, humility, and sincerity in worship.

I. Approach Worship with Reverence (v. 1)

“Guard your steps when you go to the house of God.”

Worship is not about casual attendance but intentional reverence.

The danger of thoughtless worship: going through the motions without engaging our hearts.

Supporting Idea: When it comes to the worship of God, we want to fill quiet spaces with meaningless chatter. This not only reflects spiritual immaturity; it also demonstrates the sin in our hearts. (Moore & Akin, 65)

Application: How do you prepare your heart before coming to worship?

II. Listen Before You Speak (v. 1-2)

“To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools.”

True worship begins with listening—hearing and obeying God. (Deut. 5:27; Pss. 34:18; 85:9)

The danger of empty sacrifices: Religious actions without true devotion.

Quote: "The sacrifice of fools" was empty ritual, missing its meaning. Listening (“hear”)—paying attention to God—is essential for worship to have meaning. (Hubbard & Ogilvie, 130)

Application: Are you coming to worship to hear from God or to check a religious box?

III. Be Careful with Your Words (v. 2-3)

“Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God.”

God is in heaven; we are on earth—this should lead us to humility.

Quote: We should “not talk to God as boldly and carelessly as we do to one another.” (Moore & Akin, 66)

The warning against meaningless prayers and promises.

Application: Do you rush into prayer without considering what you are saying?

IV. Keep Your Vows to God (v. 4-6)

“It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.”

In biblical times, vows were serious commitments made to God (1 Sam. 1:11; Ps. 22:25-26).

The problem: People make promises to God in desperation but fail to keep them.

Quote: “Vows played a prominent part in the lives of Israel’s men and women… in times of emergency they used vows to underline their prayer requests.” (Hubbard & Ogilvie, 133)

Application: Have you ever made a promise to God that you didn’t keep?

V. Fear God Above All (v. 7)

“God is the one you must fear.”

The “fear of the Lord” means reverent obedience and sincere devotion.

Three Biblical Uses of ‘Fear of the Lord’ (Knox, Lexham Bible Dictionary):

As an expression of corporate worship – The foundation of Israel’s faith.

As a description of personal piety – Obedience to God's commands.

As an identity marker – A true worshiper of Yahweh.

Quote: “Fear” encapsulates the proper attitude toward prayers, sacrifices, and vows whose true meaning had been badly mangled by foolish, half-hearted worshipers. (Hubbard & Ogilvie, 134)

Application: Does your worship reflect a true fear of the Lord?

Conclusion & Reflection

Worship is more than singing songs or attending a service—it is about approaching God with awe and humility.

Are you truly listening to God in worship, or are you just going through the motions?

Are your prayers thoughtful and sincere, or do they lack meaning?

Have you made commitments to God that you need to fulfill?

Final Challenge: This week, evaluate your approach to worship. Take time to prepare your heart, listen to God, and worship Him with sincerity and reverence.

Bibliography

David G. Moore and Daniel L. Akin, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, ed. Max Anders, vol. 14 (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2003).

David A. Hubbard and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, vol. 16, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1991).

James W. Knox, “Fear of the Lord,” in The Lexham Bible Dictionary, ed. John D. Barry et al. (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).

Lohfink, Norbert. A Continental Commentary: Qoheleth. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003.

Cone, Christopher. Life Beyond the Sun: An Introduction to Worldview & Philosophy through the Lens of Ecclesiastes. Ft. Worth, TX: Tyndale Seminary Press, 2009.

Bible Study

Bible Study: Worship in Reverence

A 3-Day Study on Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Overview

This study will help you reflect on Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 and apply its truths to your daily life. Each day includes Scripture reading, reflection questions, a word study, and a challenge to apply what you've learned.

Day 1: Guard Your Steps in Worship

Read: Ecclesiastes 5:1; Psalm 100:4; Hebrews 12:28-29

Reflection:

What does it mean to “guard your steps” when approaching God in worship?

How do you typically prepare your heart before worship?

What distractions or attitudes might hinder your ability to worship with sincerity?

Hebrew Word Study: שָׁמַר (shamar – “guard, watch over”)

The Hebrew word shamar means to watch over something with care, to keep it safe, and to ensure it is done properly. This is the same word used when God commands Adam to "keep" the garden (Gen. 2:15) and when Israel is told to “observe” the commandments of the Lord (Deut. 4:6). Worship requires intentional care.

Application Challenge:

Before your next worship gathering, spend time in prayer, asking God to prepare your heart and remove distractions. Write down one way you can be more intentional about approaching worship with reverence.

Day 2: Listen Before You Speak

Read: Ecclesiastes 5:1-2; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; James 1:19

Reflection:

Why does the Teacher in Ecclesiastes say that listening is better than offering sacrifices?

How can we be guilty of speaking too quickly to God without truly listening?

What would it look like to prioritize listening in your worship and prayer life?

Hebrew Word Study: שָׁמַע (shama – “hear, listen, obey”)

The word shama means more than just hearing words—it implies obedience and response. This is the word used in the Shema (Deut. 6:4), where Israel is commanded to “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Listening to God means responding in obedience, not just acknowledging His words.

Application Challenge:

Take five minutes today to sit in silence before God, resisting the urge to fill the space with words. Ask Him to speak to your heart through His Word, and write down any insights you receive.

Day 3: The Weight of Our Words

Read: Ecclesiastes 5:3-7; Proverbs 10:19; Matthew 6:7-8

Reflection:

Why do we often feel the need to “fill space” with words, even in prayer?

Have you ever made a promise to God in a moment of desperation but later forgotten it?

How does the fear of the Lord shape the way we speak to Him?

Greek Word Study: εὐλαβέομαι (eulabeomai – “to revere, to be cautious”)

The Greek translation of Ecclesiastes 5:7 in the Septuagint uses eulabeomai, which means to have reverence and caution. This word is also used in Hebrews 12:28 when describing how we should worship God “with reverence and awe.” Worship is not just routine; it is an act of holy reverence.

Application Challenge:

Write down a short prayer that expresses reverence for God without unnecessary words. Be thoughtful about what you say, focusing on listening as much as speaking.

Final Reflection & Next Steps:

After studying Ecclesiastes 5:1-7, how has your perspective on worship changed?

What one habit can you implement to prepare your heart better for worship next Sunday?

Next week, we will continue in Ecclesiastes. Take time to read ahead and reflect on how this passage connects to the themes of meaning and obedience in worship.

Memory Verse:

"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." – Ecclesiastes 5:1

This study encourages you to slow down, listen, and approach worship with a heart of reverence. May this deepen your understanding of what it means to worship God in spirit and truth!