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Ecclesiastes 5 · Berean Standard Bible

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¹Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. ²Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. After all, God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few. ³As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words. ⁴When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. ⁵It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. ⁶Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, and do not tell the messenger that your vow was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands? ⁷For as many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God. ⁸If you see the oppression of the poor and the denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished at the matter; for one official is watched by a superior, and others higher still are over them. ⁹The produce of the earth is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields. ¹⁰He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. ¹¹When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes? ¹²The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep. ¹³There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, ¹⁴or wealth lost in a failed venture, so when that man has a son there is nothing to pass on. ¹⁵As a man came from his mother’s womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands. ¹⁶This too is a grievous evil: Exactly as a man is born, so he will depart. What does he gain as he toils for the wind? ¹⁷Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness, with much sorrow, sickness, and anger. ¹⁸Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of life that God has given him—for this is his lot. ¹⁹Furthermore, God has given riches and wealth to every man, and He has enabled him to enjoy them, to accept his lot, and to rejoice in his labor. This is a gift from God. ²⁰For a man seldom considers the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.

Berean Standard Bible · public domain. More versions and languages in the Reading Plan.

Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 5

The Reverence of God and the Vanity of Earthly Wealth

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Objective

To exhort reverent worship before God, caution against rash words and unfulfilled vows, and to reflect on the fleeting nature of wealth and the gift of contentment under God’s sovereign provision.

Overview

Ecclesiastes 5 calls the reader to approach God’s presence with humility and restraint, warns against careless speech and broken vows, and observes the vanity in the pursuit and possession of riches. It contrasts the unrest of the greedy with the peaceful enjoyment granted by God to those who receive their portion with gratitude.

Detailed Analysis

Event Description

The Teacher urges caution when entering the house of God, emphasizing listening over foolish sacrifice. He warns against rash words before God, reminding that God is in heaven and humans on earth, thus words should be few. Dreams and many words often arise from busyness and folly. Vows made to God must be fulfilled promptly, for God takes no pleasure in fools who vow and do not pay. Speech that causes sin or excuses error provokes God’s anger and can undo one’s labor. Amid many words and vanities, the fear of God remains the foundation.

Central Themes

Reverence in worship

restraint in speech

seriousness of vows

fear of God as the guiding principle

accountability before God.

Cultural & Historical Context

In ancient Israel, vows were solemn promises before God, and the temple was the place of sacred encounter. Rash speech and unfulfilled vows were seen as dishonoring God. The fear of God was foundational for covenant faithfulness (cf. Leviticus 19:12; Numbers 30:2).

Key Verse

Ecclesiastes 5:1

Vivid Artistic Descriptions

The Call to Reverent Worship and Guarded Speech (Verses 1–7)

A humble figure stands at the threshold of a grand temple, head bowed, lips sealed in reverence. Above, a vast sky reminds of God’s heavenly throne, while shadows of many words swirl like restless winds around the feet, fading as the figure listens in stillness.

Observation of Injustice and the Vanity of Wealth (Verses 8–17)

A heavy scale tilts unevenly over a cityscape marked by both opulent towers and humble huts. Below, restless figures clutch silver coins that slip through their fingers like smoke, while a weary laborer sleeps peacefully beneath a tree, bathed in soft light.

The Gift of Enjoyment and Contentment from God (Verses 18–20)

A joyful person sits at a simple wooden table laden with bread and wine, eyes lifted toward a radiant sun breaking through clouds. Around them, the fruits of labor—fields, tools, and harvest—glow warmly, symbolizing God’s gracious provision and the peace of contentment.

Song

Ecclesiastes 5 Song

Verse 1

Step softly to the house of God, with quiet heart and humble nod, Let words be few, let silence speak, for God is high, and we are weak. Vows once made, now must be kept, lest anger rise and blessings slept, Fear the Lord, the sacred flame, that guards our lips and honors His name.

Verse 2

See the scales of justice tipped, Where poor are crushed and rights are slipped, Yet God above the highest throne, Sees all, and judges all alone. Silver’s love brings no rest, Greed consumes the human breast, But labor’s sleep is sweet and sure, Contentment’s gift will long endure.

Chorus

Hear the call to reverence deep, In stillness find the soul’s own keep, Not in many words or vain display, But in the fear of God we stay.

Bridge

Riches fade like fleeting breath, Life returns to dust in death, But joy bestowed by God’s own hand, Makes sweet the days we understand.

Final Chorus

So walk with reverence and with grace, Enjoy the gifts of time and place, In fear of God, with heart made light, Find peace that shines beyond the night.

Practical Application

Personal Life

Approach God’s presence with humility and restraint, guarding your speech and honoring your promises to Him.

Reflect on the vanity of chasing wealth and possessions; seek contentment in God’s provision rather than abundance.

Embrace the gift of joy in your daily labor as a blessing from God, cultivating gratitude for your portion.

Community & Society

Promote justice and stand against oppression, trusting that God is sovereign over earthly rulers and will bring ultimate judgment.

Encourage responsible stewardship of resources, warning against insatiable greed that harms community wellbeing.

Foster environments where work is valued and rest is honored, recognizing the dignity of labor and the need for peace.

Global Perspective

Advocate for economic systems that reflect God’s justice and care for the poor and vulnerable worldwide.

Challenge cultural idols of wealth and materialism, pointing to the fleeting nature of riches and the eternal value of fearing God.

Support global efforts that enable people to enjoy the fruits of their labor with dignity and joy, as a reflection of God’s provision.

Conclusion

Ecclesiastes 5 summons us to reverence before God, measured speech, and faithful vows, grounding our worship in the fear of the Lord. It unveils the futility of wealth pursued for its own sake and the unrest it breeds, contrasting this with the sweetness of rest and joy granted by God to those who receive their portion with gratitude. Ultimately, the chapter calls us to live with humble dependence on God’s sovereign provision, finding peace beyond the vanity of earthly gain.