Eccles. 5:4-7
At work I have a really strong tendency to over commit. As I have gotten older, I've gotten a bit wiser and more likely to say "No", but it is a struggle. I don't usually consider these commitments vows, at least not in the same way as wedding vows. Yet if I stop to think about it, when I commit to do something I am essentially vowing to do it. We may do this before God. We promise God we will stop doing a particular sin. We don't state "try"; instead we promised to do. When we fail to stop (and we usually do fail to stop), we have now two sins: the problem sin and the broken promise. Once again God warns, be careful with your 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 [1] into sin, and do not say before the messenger [2] 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; [3] but God is the one you must fear.
Footnotes
[1] 5:6 Hebrew your flesh
[2] 5:6 Or angel
[3] 5:7 Or For when dreams and vanities increase, words also grow many
[1] 5:6 Hebrew your flesh
[2] 5:6 Or angel
[3] 5:7 Or For when dreams and vanities increase, words also grow many
- What was involved in an Israelite making a vow to God? [See Numbers 30, Deut. 23:21-23]
- What does Solomon call a person who is late in paying their vow to God?
- Was a vow required or voluntary?
- Why might a person make a vow to God? - Which was better: no vow or broken vow?
- How could a person's speech cause them to sin?
- What might be the outcome a person's foolish vow?
- When have you foolishly committed to do something and not done it?
- How often does this occur?
- Why did you commit to do it?
- What caused you to fail?
- Could you have predicted the failure beforehand? - When have you carelessly made a vow and broken it?
- How often does this occur?
- When have you done this to or before God? - Why are dreams and many words empty?
- How are they related to your fear of God?
At work I have a really strong tendency to over commit. As I have gotten older, I've gotten a bit wiser and more likely to say "No", but it is a struggle. I don't usually consider these commitments vows, at least not in the same way as wedding vows. Yet if I stop to think about it, when I commit to do something I am essentially vowing to do it. We may do this before God. We promise God we will stop doing a particular sin. We don't state "try"; instead we promised to do. When we fail to stop (and we usually do fail to stop), we have now two sins: the problem sin and the broken promise. Once again God warns, be careful with your words.
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