Once again, Solomon repeats himself from an earlier chapter. Ecclesiastes 3:22 says, “So I perceived that nothing is better than that a man should rejoice in his own works, for that is his heritage.”
Coming to 5:18 he says, “Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage.”
“There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: riches kept for their owner to his hurt. But those riches perish through misfortune…and he shall take nothing from his labor which he may carry away in his hand. And this also is a sever evil- just exactly as he came, so shall he go.”
Oh the joys and sorrows of working and reaping wages. In verse 8 we are reminded of the injustice rampant in many a workplace. Oppression and cruelty abound in many places where workers aren’t treated well by those for whom they work.
In verse 10 we are reminded one again that some people are never satisfied with their monetary gain. They just want more and more but never find happiness in what they gain. Therefore, they don’t truly want what they get since they never get what they are seeking.
“Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands? For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.”
Wow. Do I have a habit of sinning because of my mouth? Or do I make frequent excuses for my sin?
I know, I know. I looked at verse 2 yesterday. But it bridges verses 1 and 3-5 in such a way that I think it needs to be included in the discussion of both. Verses 3-5 talk about guarding what we say, and verses 4 and 5 specifically talk about promises.
Many are the fools who say things that they shouldn’t before God. They offer up illegitimate worship or make promises they don’t keep, and in both cases they are better off not saying anything. The second half of verse 5 says, “A fool’s voice is known by his many words.”
What should I write about next? Are there issues that you are facing or that the church is facing today that need to be addressed? Take 15 seconds to let me know!
