Ecclesiastes 5:3-6

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Ecclesiastes 5:3 “For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words.”

There can be a few interpretations on the first part of this verse, first a more literal interpretation that with much work, or a busy day, implying more work and less talk, you will be tired and have a sound nights sleep and good dreams and conversely someone, a fool, who spends all day talking and not doing will be troubled in his sleep. Secondly it could also be interpreted that with an excess of aspirations, business, and being foolish in your speech, you will be troubled and have troubled dreams.

I think either way you take to interpret this verse the overall emphasis remains inline with the preceding verse, be not rash with your mouth, do not fill your day and your voice with many words spoken without thought or intent. Rather our words be few and in line with our Lord and savior Jesus Christ and his examples

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Ecclesiastes 5:4–5 “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.”

The bible is very clear, the issue is not in making a vow, but doing what you say when you make a promise, to everyone, but especially when you make a promise to God.

Genesis 28:20–22 “Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God, and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.””

All of Leviticus 27 are laws about making vows to God.

Leviticus 27:1–2 “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, If anyone makes a special vow to the Lord...” The rest of the chapter are the rules and requirements for these special vows.

Hannah’s vow to God for a son 1 Samuel 1:11 “And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.””

Deuteronomy 23:21 ““If you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin.”

Vows made to God are not to be taken lightly.

In Acts 5 when Ananias and Sapphira vowed to give all the proceeds of the land that they sold to the church but then lied about how much they sold it for God took their lives because they broke their vow.

Lets start at Acts 4:34–37 “There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

Ananias and Sapphira initially vowed to do the same as Barnabas and the other land owners but did not follow through with all of their vows.

Acts 5:1–5 “But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.”

Sapphira’s fate also was the same:

Acts 5:8–10 “And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.”

When we make promises, even when we pray silently to God, do we not think that they are any less binding than when we say them out loud in front of other people?

James 5:12 “But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.”

When the Holy Spirit worked in each of us and we gave our lives to Christ, this was a vow. Our vow in our salvation to obey and follow all of God’s commands, to give our lives for Christ, should always be in our minds and on our heart. Do not delay in it’s payment. We should never think that we have time to get serious and really start following Christ.

Has anyone ever made a vow to God, like Hannah’s in 1st Samuel? Asking for something from God and promising something in return? Is this needed? Are the gifts of God not freely given, are we trying to bend the will of God to our own will?

I am not proud to say that I have done this, but these verses also remind me of another who did as well, and we can draw comfort from it and the forgiveness that was given to the person who vowed something to Jesus himself but then did not follow through on his vow.

Matthew 26:33–35 “Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.”

Matthew 26:56 “But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.”

Matthew 26:73–74 “After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed.”

Even the Apostle Peter vowed directly to Jesus but did not make good on that vow. But Peter was repentant and Jesus, full of mercy, forgave Peter.

John 21:15–17 “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

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Ecclesiastes 5:6 “Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?”

The word translated messenger here is also translated in other places as ambassadors and angels and means messenger of God. Priests of God that come and collect what you vowed and promised to give to God. When the messenger of God comes to collect what you have vowed, out loud or in your heart, would you tell God that it was a mistake, or you really didn’t mean what you said? Is this how God delivers on his vows, his promises, his covenants? We would all be doomed if this was so.

Do not treat as cheap the grace of God. Through grace we still owe God our obedience.