Ecclesiastes 5:1-9 Religion Under the Sun

Religion Under the Sun Vs. In the Light of God and His Word.

Ecclesiastes 5:1–9 KJV 1900

1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. 2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. 3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words. 4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. 5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. 6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands? 7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

Summary: Ecclesiastes 5:1–7 warns against empty religious practices and emphasizes the importance of approaching God with reverence and sincerity. It illustrates the futility of rituals disconnected from heartfelt devotion and encourages believers to maintain a genuine relationship with God.

Application: This passage encourages individuals to examine their own religious habits and motivations. It confronts the tendency to participate in rituals merely out of habit or obligation, urging believers to pursue authentic worship that honors God and reflects a true commitment to their faith, thus offering comfort and guidance amid spiritual struggles.

Teaching: The sermon could teach that God desires a sincere heart over empty rituals, highlighting the importance of authenticity in worship. It sheds light on how a genuine connection with God can transform worship from a mere formality into a meaningful relationship.

How this passage could point to Christ: This theme points to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of authentic worship. He emphasizes the heart over tradition, and through His sacrifice, believers are invited into a personal relationship with God, transcending the superficial practices that often characterize empty religion.

Introduction

Now Solomon tries something else, and this is something that may interest you a great deal because there are many churches today that will make promises that if you just come you’ll be blessed. He tries to find satisfaction in religion, and he does not find it.

May I submit to you tonight, just showing up for church will not bless you the way that you hope or even expect it to.

Did you know that religion has condemned more people in this world than anything else has?

My friend, if you have a religion, I suggest you get rid of it and exchange it for Christ. I personally do not think one can call Christianity a religion. There is no ritual whatsoever given with Christianity. Have you ever stopped to think of that? This is the reason we can have all kinds of churches with different forms of worship—for instance you can sing the Doxology if you want to, but you don't have to. Christianity was never given a form to follow. Why? Because Christianity is a Person. To be a Christian means that you trust Christ.

There is a prescribed method in God’s word for how we are to come before His presence.

I want to give you three things that are warned against in the word of God in how our “worship” is not acceptable to God.

I. Irreverence — entering worship without proper respect

Going to some churches is not only a waste of time; it is wrong. It is wrong to give your approval to a liberal pulpit. It is wrong when you do not give your support to a fundamental pastor who is giving out the Word of God. Solomon tried being religious.

I’ve heard many people say “well at least they are in church somewhere.” and may submit to you just how possibly foolish that way of thinking can be if God is not in that church!

Man under the sun is saying, “Do not make any decision under the stress of emotion and conviction.” Cry at the movies, but don't do it in church. Don't sign a pledge at church, you might be held to it, but if you are going to rent an apartment or a house, it's all right to sign for that, but don't commit yourself to God in writing.

In other words, make it a religion; go through the form but avoid reality.

Friends, this is irreverence before God.

Main idea: People sometimes act casually or carelessly when they come to worship, and that’s wrong.

Why it’s wrong: A place becomes holy not because of the building or the scenery, but because God is present when people gather. Knowing God is near should make us serious and respectful, like Jacob at Bethel or Isaiah in the temple.

What it should do to us: Realizing God sees everything and knows our hearts should quiet us and make us act with reverence — like taking off our shoes at a holy place.

Why irreverence happens: It often comes from not understanding who God is or what true worship is. If people don’t know God is holy and present, they’ll treat worship like any other meeting.

Supporting KJV verses

Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Gen 28:16-17  And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.  (17)  And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

This place is dreadful only for a fellow like Jacob, a sinner, trying to run away from God. Every house of God, every church, ought to be a dreadful place to any sinner running away from God. It is the place where the sinner ought to be able to meet God, come face to face with God, through the Ladder who has been sent down from heaven, even Christ.

Psalm 139:1 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Exodus 3:5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

Joshua 5:15 And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

II. Formality — going through the motions in worship and prayer

In “dreams and many words there are also divers vanities”—that is, all kinds of emptiness. They are no substitute for a personal relationship with God. So many people say, “I have had a dream” or “I have had an experience.” And they are putting their trust in that.

There are many people today who use an experience to test the Word of God. It must be the other way around: All experience must be tested by the Word of God. We are instructed to try the spirits to see whether they are of God or not (see 1Jn_4:1).

Main idea: Worship can become empty when people only do outward actions without real heart involvement.

Rashness in prayer: Saying the first thing that comes to mind, or rushing through prayer, shows you don’t treat God like a sovereign. Prayer should be thoughtful — we should think about our needs and remember God’s goodness before we speak.

Too many words in prayer: Long, repetitive prayers that mean little are not better. Jesus warned against babbling prayers. Lots of words often come from a restless heart, not true devotion. Short, sincere prayers are better than long, showy ones.

Supporting KJV verses

1 Samuel 3:10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

Psalm 85:8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

Psalm 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

Proverbs 21:27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Psalm 51:16–17 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Jeremiah 7:21–23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh. For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices: But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

Hosea 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

III. Insincerity — breaking vows made before God.

Do you know that God actually gave a law concerning vows? Read Leviticus 27. We won’t read it tonight; however, it is how God chose to close out the book.

My friend, when you make a vow to God, you had better mean what you say, because God is going to hold you to it.

There are many people who are no longer a missionary, many a preacher who is out of the pulpit, many a Christian who has been put on the shelf because they promised God that which they didn't mean at all.

It is not a religious ceremony when you are dealing with God. You are dealing with a Person who hears you and expects you to keep your promise.

After making a vow to God, we are not to say, “It was an error—I should never have said it; I didn't really mean it.” We are dealing with a living God. It seems there are many people who don't know that. As a result, they stand way out on the fringe of the things of God. God is a reality, and we need to be very careful in our dealings with Him.

Main idea: Making promises to God in worship and then not keeping them is a serious sin.

Why it displeases God: God is unchanging and expects honesty. He won’t be pleased with people who make vows and then treat them lightly.

You don’t have to vow: Vows should be voluntary. If you’re not sure you can keep a promise, it’s better not to vow at all. Rash vows (like Jephthah’s) can lead to sin.

Consequences: Breaking vows brings God’s judgment. Saying a vow was a mistake or blaming the minister who heard it doesn’t excuse you. If you promise something to God, you should try to keep it, even if it costs you.

Practical advice: Avoid unnecessary vows. If you do vow, make sure it’s something you can and should do, and depend on God’s help to keep it.

Supporting KJV verses

Deuteronomy 23:21–23 When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee. That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.

The Deuteronomic instruction emphasizes that vows made to God must be fulfilled promptly, with whatever proceeds from one’s lips being kept and performed (Deut 23:21–23). This core principle—that promises to God demand integrity and follow-through—carries forward into New Testament teaching.

However, Jesus introduces a significant shift in practice. Rather than regulating oaths through distinctions about what one swears by, Jesus instructs His followers not to swear at all, instead letting their communication be simply “Yea, yea; Nay, nay,” with anything beyond this coming from evil (Matt 5:33–37). James echoes this prohibition, commanding believers above all things not to swear by heaven, earth, or any other oath, but to let their yes be yes and their no be no (James 5:12).

We see the punishment of Ananias and Saphira after they had vowed the sale of a piece of land and did not pay it.

Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.