Efforts of Life

Introduction: Life is a journey through which we struggle to achieve more. Preferably, one will accomplish God’s Devine purpose. In this portion of Ecclesiastes, Solomon calls the reader to soberly consider his approach and stance before God, while remaining dedicated to the vows made to God. The Lord is holy, and we should always keep that in our hearts and minds.

I. Step Right (5:1-2)

Be Still in God’s Presence (5:1) - “1 Guard your step when you go to the house of God. Better to draw near in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do, for they are ignorant and do wrong.”

Exodus 3:4-6 (NLT) - “4 When the LORD saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. 5 “Do not come any closer,” the LORD warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. 6 I am the God of your father —the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.”

Note: Rather, "thy sandals." Shoes were not worn commonly, even by the Egyptians, until a late period, and would certainly not be known in the land of Midian at this time. The practice of putting them off before entering a temple, a palace, or even the private apartments of a house, was, and is, universal in the East - the rationale of it being that the shoes or sandals have dust or dirt attaching to them. - Pulpit Commentary

Note: Taking off one’s shoes is a way of admitting that the land you stand upon is not yours. In the East, shoes convey a very symbolic meaning. For example, if an Israelite refused to fulfill his obligations of levirate marriage, “…wife shall come to him in the sight of the elders, and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face; and she shall declare, ‘Thus it is done to the man who does not build up his brother’s house.’” (Deut. 25:9). The man who relinquished his obligation to the widow of his close relative was publicly shamed.

The idea of אַדְמַת־קֹדֶשׁ (admat kodesh) “holy ground” points to the fact that this אֲדָמָה (adamah) “ground”, “soil” or “land” is God’s domain. The adjective קֹדֶשׁ (kodesh) means “holy” or “consecrated” and refers to something that requires special treatment. In ancient Israel, setting your shoe on a property was seen as a symbolic proclamation of ownership. Removing one’s shoe signifies the opposite – relinquishing a right or admitting that you do not own this property.

Psalm 89:7 (HCSB) - “7 God is greatly feared in the council of the holy ones, more awe-inspiring than all who surround Him.”

Hebrews 12:28-29 (HCSB) - “28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is a consuming fire.”

Be Silent in God’s Presence (5:2) - “2 Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”

Psalm 115:1-3 (HCSB) - “1 Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory because of Your faithful love, because of Your truth. 2 Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?” 3 Our God is in heaven and does whatever He pleases.”

Isaiah 55:9 (NIV) - “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Matthew 6:9 - “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”

II. Serve Right (5:3-5)

Be Focused (5:3) - “3 For dreams result from much work and a fool's voice from many words.”

Proverbs 10:19 (HCSB) - “When there are many words, sin is unavoidable, but the one who controls his lips is wise.”

Proverbs 15:2 (HCSB) - “2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.”

Be Faithful (5:4-5) - “4 When you make a vow to God, don't delay fulfilling it, because He does not delight in fools. Fulfill what you vow. 5 Better that you do not vow than that you vow and not fulfill it.”

Psalm 76:11 (HCSB) - “11 Make and keep your vows to the Lord your God; let all who are around Him bring tribute to the awe-inspiring One.”

Psalm 147:10-11 (HCSB) - “10 He is not impressed by the strength of a horse; He does not value the power of a man. 11 The Lord values those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His faithful love.”

Numbers 30:2-5 (HCSB) - “2 When a man makes a vow to the Lord or swears an oath to put himself under an obligation, he must not break his word; he must do whatever he has promised. 3 "When a woman in her father's house during her youth makes a vow to the Lord or puts [herself] under an obligation, 4 and her father hears about her vow or the obligation she put herself under, and he says nothing to her, all her vows and every obligation she put herself under are binding. 5 But if her father prohibits her on the day he hears [about it], none of her vows and none of the obligations she put herself under are binding. The Lord will absolve her because her father has prohibited her.”

Illustration: Ananias and Sapphira - Acts 5:1-11 is a story depicting a husband and wife who willfully lied about their contribution to the church, simply to achieve personal acclaim and prestige.

III. Speak Right (5:6-7)

Be Honest (5:6) - “6 Do not let your mouth bring guilt on you, and do not say in the presence of the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands?”

Note: The phrase Or, "before the messenger," {hammalach,} the priest whose business it was to take cognizance of vows and offerings.”

James 1:26 (HCSB) - “26 If anyone thinks he is religious, without controlling his tongue but deceiving his heart, his religion is useless.”

Leviticus 5:4-6 (HCSB)- “4 Or [if] someone swears rashly to do what is good or evil-concerning anything a person may speak rashly in an oath-without being aware of it, but [later] recognizes it, he incurs guilt in such an instance. 5 If someone incurs guilt in one of these cases, he is to confess he has committed that sin.6 He must bring his restitution for the sin he has committed to the Lord: a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement on his behalf for his sin.”

1 Corinthians 3:13-15 (HCSB) - “13 each one's work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one's work. 14 If anyone's work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.”

Be Humble (5:7) - “7 For many dreams bring futility, also many words. So, fear God.”

James 4:10 - “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

Matthew 12:36 (HCSB) - “36 I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak.”

Proverbs 23:17 (HCSB) - “17 Don't be jealous of sinners; instead, always fear the Lord.”

Isaiah 50:10-11 (HCSB) - “10 Who among you fears the Lord, listening to the voice of His servant? Who [among you] walks in darkness, and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord; let him lean on his God. 11 Look, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourselves with firebrands; walk in the light of your fire and in the firebrands you have lit! This is what you'll get from My hand: you will lie down in a place of torment.”