How do I Approach God?

Kid’s Takeaway of the Day “Worship God's Way”

Main idea of the Day

Verse of the Day: Ecclesiastes 5:1 “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.”

How do I Approach God?

Ecclesiastes 5:1–7 ESV

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. 2  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. 3 For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words. 4 When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. 5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 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? 7 For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.

Qohelet moves now from the first block of materials (1:2–4:16), to the second block (5:1–6:9 [Heb 4:17–6:9])—from reflection to ethics. Indeed, this literary unit opens and closes with imperative forms: šĕmōr “watch” (5:1 [Heb 4:17]) and yĕrāʾ “fear” (5:7 [Heb 5:6]). Sandwiched between these is a series of warnings: “do not be hasty with your mouth” (v 2 [Heb v 1]), “do not let your heart rush” (v 2 [Heb v 1]), “do not be slack to fulfill” (v 4 [Heb v 3]), “do not permit your mouth” (v 6 [Heb v 5]), “do not say” (v 6 [Heb v 5]). The style adopted here is reminiscent of the admonitions of the wisdom teachers throughout the ancient Near East and is best exemplified in the Bible in the book of Proverbs.

to hear; also to listen, pay attention to; to comply, obey, accept prayers or proposals (AHw. 1211-1213, see especially AHw. 1212a s.v. 5; CAD Š/2, 277a, see especially meanings 2, 3 and 4); for El Amarna cf. VAB 2, 1511f (with acc. and ana); the vb. often occurs in personal names especially as a request for attention, and also to express thanks for attention that has been shown

Earth’s ‘vanity’ has been recognized (1:2–2:23), but considered in the light of the life God gives (2:24–26) and the assurance of his sovereignty (3:1–15). Injustice (3:16–22) and various forms of isolation (4:1–16) have been faced. We stand in need of an altogether greater companionship. The Preacher earlier told of a God who gives a life of joy and pleasure. May he be approached? This question is now answered in terms of the house of God, obedience, sacrifice (v. 1), prayer (vv. 2f.), vows (v. 4). But there are dangers. If God is ‘in heaven’, the ruler (3:1–15) and judge (3:16–22), he cannot be approached casually.