A Better Life with Fewer Words and Much Fewer Promises
Photo by Stefan Kunze on Unsplash
Don’t be in a hurry to talk. Don’t be eager to speak in the presence of God. Since God is in heaven and you are on earth, limit the number of your words.
It is better not to make a promise than to make one and not keep it. (Eccl 5:2, 5 GW) [context– Eccl 5:1-7]
Promises, promises, and too many words
We all tend to make rash promises. Ones we can’t or won’t keep. Many promises are prompted by good intentions but with a lack of good judgment.
We make promises to call someone, go see them, and even pray for them. But too often, things come up with the immediacy and urgency of daily life that push these promises out of our minds.
How often has someone said to you, “Hey, I thought you were going to call…come by?” Or, have you ever promised to pray for someone, had them thank you for praying for them when you see them next, then realized you forgot to pray for them?
Some of us talk way too much. We’re asked a simple question but give a long-winded, detailed answer. It’s called TMI—too much information. I know I can be guilty of this.
And all of this carries over to our relationship with God. We make promises we can’t or don’t keep. And when we pray, it’s a one-way conversation. We don’t bother to take time to listen or be still in His presence.
When we do this, we’re treating God as if He were just another person. He’s not. He’s God. He is sovereign, all-knowing, all-seeing, and present everywhere at all times.
We ought to fear God.
The fear of God is not an anxious dread, as if He’s angry with us and looking for a reason to annihilate us. To fear God is to revere Him (Prov 1:7; 2:1-9; 9:10; 15:33).
We are to have awe and respect for God because of who He is. This moves us to worship Him. It motivates us to honor Him rather than paralyze us with terror.
Our life will be much better when our words are fewer and we don’t make promises we can’t or won’t keep, especially where God is concerned.
Insights
Solomon gives us both spiritual and practical advice in these opening verses of Chapter 5.
It’s easy to forget Solomon’s reverence for God when reading through Ecclesiastes because of his cynical view of life and hardness of heart after his many wives and concubines turned his heart from loyalty to God.
His reverence for God can be seen in his request for a discerning and wise heart and at the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem (1Kings 3:7-9 and in Chap 8).
Solomon’s advice is based on experience. Experience born out of failure. Although Solomon exercised great wisdom in his earlier years, he descended into cynicism because of his own prideful sin.
In other words, it’s as if Solomon is pleading with his readers to learn from his mistakes. Here he reminds us what is primary and enables us to escape the many snares of sin along the path of life under the sun.
First off, we’re told— “Watch your step when you go to the house of God…” (Eccl 5:1 GW). This encouragement to show reverence for God in His house is connected to what we say and do.
The house of God in Solomon’s time would be the courtyards and porches around the temple in Jerusalem, as it was in the days of Jesus. Now we have various meeting places—from cathedrals to converted retail stores to homes.
But this isn’t about location in a geographic sense. It’s about being in the presence of God.
Notice the emphasis is on listening rather than speaking our own words, making promises or vows, or some form of sacrifice.
As Samuel told King Saul—
“Has 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,…“ (1 Sam. 15:22)
A foolish person attempts to appease or please God with their many words, promises, and sacrificial offerings. But the Lord is much more interested in our heart and attitude towards Him, not what we have to offer Him.
Vows are solemn promises.
When a person is anxious or worried, they may try to bargain or negotiate with God. Lord, if you will… then I will never ask again… do such and such, etc.”
The caution is this—it’s better not to make a promise or vow to God than make one and break it (Prov 20:25).
God is not a person whom we can manipulate or fool. He is God—our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. In spite of all our weaknesses and through the difficulties of life, we ought to fear God—be in awe of Him and respect Him.
Existential Reflections
How can this be practical and relevant for our lives?
I believe these verses are just as relevant for believers today. I came to faith as a follower of Jesus at the beginning of the ‘70s Jesus Movement in Southern California. It was a time when traditional religion was replaced with a more contemporary but genuine expression of worship.
I recall singing Scripture-based praise and worship songs a cappella and led by our pastor who would then teach us directly from the Bible. Many of us sat on the floor because the sanctuary was often so crowded. Even then, it seemed sacred and we could sense the presence of God.
In those early days, some church leaders would criticize the informality of our services. But now, those who prefer more informal worship criticize more traditional or sacred forms of worship. Neither view is right or wrong on its own.
It should never be about a certain form of worship.
God has always sought people’s hearts, not compliance to a certain form of worship. Jesus made this clear many times with the Jewish leaders who challenged Him (Matt 9:13).
Jesus also made this clear to a Samaritan woman who questioned Him about worship— “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24 NKJV– see John 4:21-24 for context).
My concern for the American church today is we too often emphasize doctrine above practice. We may know our doctrine and theology but fall short when it comes to living it out so others are drawn to Jesus and see Him in us.
Worship is more than music and public expressions of devotion.
Worship is an attitude of the heart carried over to daily life and our interactions with others.
I served as a worship leader before serving as a pastor. I wore both hats many times and needed a way to segue from worship to preaching. So, I would ask the church body to wait quietly after the worship time.
I found this made some people uncomfortable. Silence, quiet, and waiting seemed alien to them.
Sometimes, well-intentioned musicians would start to play their guitar or keyboard gently to fill in the silence and I’d ask them to stop.
We need to learn how to be still and quiet before God (Psalm 46:10).
I see this as an important takeaway from these first few verses in Ecclesiastes Chapter 5, and it prompts me to ask a few questions.
Do you fear the Lord with awe, respect, and worship?
Do you take time to listen when you pray and worship, even if no one else does?
Do you make promises to yourself, others, and God yet fail to keep them?
When you pray, do you spend more time complaining, whining, or begging God for something rather than being thankful or interceding for others?
Do you try to bargain with God instead of just trusting Him?
These are all questions I need to ask myself from time to time. I hope you will too.
In spite of many daydreams, pointless actions, and empty words, you should still fear God. (Eccl 5:7 GW)
Here is a beautiful song based on these verses– Let My Words Be Few
This is an excerpt from my newest book available on Amazon! Glimmers of Light in the Darkness of Life
The Scripture text for this devotional study can be found by clicking the blue button link– “Ecclesiastes Chap 5” [I’ve used God’s Word Translation (GW) for ease of reading but the button link will take you to the text in a parallel version with the NKJV text.]
Also, for further commentary, I recommend Enduring Word by Ptr David Guzik.
