#11 MVP in Mini Golf (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7)

Notes

Phil opens Ecclesiastes 5 by examining how we should approach the living God in worship. Solomon reminds us that God is in heaven and we are on earth—transcendent, holy, and not to be treated flippantly or transactionally. He bridges the Old Testament temple to its New Testament fulfilment in Christ and the gathered church, calling believers to fear God with weighty reverence, to listen carefully to His Word, and to keep their vows without rashness or delay. While the passage is heavy with warning, it ultimately points to the gospel: in Christ, God welcomes fools, keeps every promise we break, and invites us to the table of His faithful presence.

5  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  (Ec 5:1–7).