Ecclesiastes 5:1 HCSB  Guard your step when you go to the house of God. Better to draw near in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do, for they are ignorant and do wrong.

Guard your step. The behaviors described by Qoheleth would be deemed acceptable by most humans. Going to the sanctuary, acting humble, giving sacrifices...what's wrong with these things? Yet any of them, done with the wrong motives or not backed by righteous lives can bring God's displeasure. They are not only objectionable but positively dangerous, seeing as they would provoke Yahweh Shaphat, God our Judge! 

Offer the sacrifice as fools. A foolish sacrifice may involve (among other things) trying to cover up for sinful acts without actually changing our ways. 

• Amos 5:21-24 HCSB  I hate, I despise your feasts! I can't stand the stench of your solemn assemblies.  (22)  Even if you offer Me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; I will have no regard for your fellowship offerings of fattened cattle.  (23)  Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.  (24)  But let justice flow like water, and righteousness, like an unfailing stream.
• Proverbs 21:27 HCSB  The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable--how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives!

We must experience both nach'am and shuv, contrition and practical change. We must actually demonstrate the fruit of repentance (Matthew 3:8; Luke 3:8). Otherwise our tithes, offerings, and sacrifices of praise, worship, or ministry are hypocritical rags covering up suppurating leprous sores. 

• Isaiah 64:6-7 HCSB  All of us have become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like a polluted garment; all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.  (7)  No one calls on Your name, striving to take hold of You. For You have hidden Your face from us and made us melt because of our iniquity.
  

Better to draw near in obedience. 

• 1 Samuel 15:22-23 HCSB  Then Samuel said: Does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention is better than the fat of rams.  (23)  For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and defiance is like wickedness and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.
  
• John 14:21 HCSB  The one who has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. And the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father. I also will love him and will reveal Myself to him."
  
• John 15:10 HCSB  If you keep My commands you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commands and remain in His love.
  

Fools. The Bible has PLENTY to say about them since there are obviously a lot of them in this world. Here though, the fools are defined  as those who speak too much, utter thoughtless prayers, make promises they don't intend to keep, focus on outward (showy) religiosity, and shun simple quiet obedience as a method of worship. Do you know any of these kinds of people? 

Ecclesiastes 5:2 HCSB  Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.

Hasty...impulsive...speech. The contrast between the tzaddik's self-control in regards to speech (Proverbs 12:23; James 1:19; 3:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 1 Timothy 2:2; 1 Peter 3:4) and the rasha's tendency toward lashon hara (Exodus 23:1; Leviticus 19:16; Psalm 15:1-3; Proverbs 10:18; 24:17-18; 25:18);  is a common theme in scripture. 

Speech before God. I take this to mean things like long-winded sermons with no meat and lots of self-reference, or rambling, pontificating prayers. In view of the context, it might also include making statements of intent to serve or minister or grow in some manner before the congregation or the elders with no real intent to follow through. Whatever form it takes, the author clearly means something public and formal as opposed to a private conversation. We will be judged for EVERYTHING we say (Matthew 12:36-27), but the standard is higher when we speak in a formal or public manner. Thus, 

• James 3:1 HCSB  Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment;
  

See also Psalm 37:7

Ecclesiastes 5:3 HCSB  For dreams result from much work and a fool's voice from many words.

Dreams result from much work. The accomplishment of great things does not come from dreams alone. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears must also take place. What if Martin Luther's dream had remained that? What if he had not been willing to repeatedly go to jail and have his home and family threatened and even bombed? What if he had not gone on countless trips, delivering countless sermons and to be criticized, harassed, and falsely accused on every side? Where would we be? It reminds me of another great dreamer. You might have heard of Him. He was a carpenter who was born in Bethlehem but raised in Nazareth. There were rumors about His birth but He went on to claim to bring in a new kingdom (Luke 22:29) - a kingdom of light and justice; a kingdom of God! He too suffered greatly for His dream. He too poured everything into His dream and now you and I reap the benefit of His dream...and work...and suffering. 

Fool's voice...(results) from many words. Talk, talk, talk! That's all they do is talk! They love the sound of their own voices, whether they are pontificating about all the great things they are going to do for God and how lucky you are to have them around to show you how to do things, or whether they are whining about how they had all this potential that has simply gone to waste because no one will ever give them a chance. If you hear someone who just can't be quiet...or even if you hear a person who may normally be wise but is at this time talking a WHOLE lot, odds are good that pretty soon you'll be hearing the braying of a...fool. See also Proverbs 14:23. 

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 HCSB  When you make a vow to God, don't delay fulfilling it, because He does not delight in fools. Fulfill what you vow.  (5)  Better that you do not vow than that you vow and not fulfill it.

Don't delay fulfilling it. There are terrible consequences to making a vow to God and not fulfilling them. Imagine how much worse should one make vow with no intention of ever fulfilling them! (Deuteronomy 23:21; Proverbs 15:7-8; 20:25; 21:3) 

• Psalms 15:1-5 HCSB  A Davidic psalm. LORD, who can dwell in Your tent? Who can live on Your holy mountain?  (2)  The one who lives honestly, practices righteousness, and acknowledges the truth in his heart--  (3)  who does not slander with his tongue, who does not harm his friend or discredit his neighbor,  (4)  who despises the one rejected by the LORD, but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his word whatever the cost,  (5)  who does not lend his money at interest or take a bribe against the innocent--the one who does these things will never be moved.
• Psalms 66:13-14 HCSB  I will enter Your house with burnt offerings; I will pay You my vows  (14)  that my lips promised and my mouth spoke during my distress.

Better that you do not vow. 

• Deuteronomy 23:22-23 HCSB  But if you refrain from making a vow, it will not be counted against you as sin.  (23)  Be careful to do whatever comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed what you promised to the LORD your God.
• Matthew 5:33-37 HCSB  "Again, you have heard that it was said to our ancestors, You must not break your oath, but you must keep your oaths to the Lord. (34)  But I tell you, don't take an oath at all: either by heaven, because it is God's throne; (35)  or by the earth, because it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. (36)  Neither should you swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. (37)  But let your word 'yes' be 'yes,' and your 'no' be 'no.' Anything more than this is from the evil one.
• James 5:12 HCSB  Now above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. Your "yes" must be "yes," and your "no" must be "no," so that you won't fall under judgment.

A good example of someone who made a rash vow was Jephthah (Judges 11:30-40). He was fighting the Ammonites and not doing very well, so he made a rash vow to God, saying, “God, if you will help me win this war, the first thing that comes out of my house when I come home, I will offer to you as a sacrifice.” He was thinking it might be an animal or something else like that. Maybe (God forbid) he even considered the possibility of a slave (though God hates human sacrifice). God gave him the victory and when Jephthah went home, the first thing to come out of his house to greet him was his one and only daughter. He had spoken too soon and lived the rest of his life in remorse for his rash promise to God. 

Ecclesiastes 5:6 HCSB  Do not let your mouth bring guilt on you, and do not say in the presence of the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands?

Do not let your mouth bring guilt on you. Be like our brother Job who, in the midst of all his sufferings, refused nevertheless to sin with his lips (Job 1:20-22; 2:10; 6:24; 40:4-5). He was directly blessed and commended by the Lord who said to Job's miserable friends "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has." (Job 42:7-8) Blessed is a man who endures trials (James 1:2, 12) and manages to do so while controlling his tongue (James 1:26). Truly - that person is a mature believer (James 3:2)!

Do not say...that it was a mistake. You had better fulfill your obligation! (Leviticus 5:4-13; Deuteronomy 23:21; Job 22:27; Psalm 50:14; 56:12; 66:13; 76:11; Nahum 1:15). The fulfillment of vows is obligatory even in the midst of affliction (Psalm 116:13-19). Even unintentional vows are considered binding (Leviticus 5:4-5) so we must beware of making rash vows (Proverbs 20:25). 

God...angry...destroy the work of your hands. This rings oddly in the minds of Cultural Christians. Many - even worship leaders and pastors - don't even like songs that imply that God crucified His Son for us, believing that to be too harsh or unpalatable a picture of God. Nevertheless, the Scriptures plainly teach: 

• Isaiah 45:7 HCSB  I form light and create darkness, I make success and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.
  
• Deuteronomy 28:38-45 HCSB  (38)  "You will sow much seed in the field but harvest little, because locusts will devour it.  (39)  You will plant and cultivate vineyards but not drink the wine or gather the grapes, because worms will eat them.  (40)  You will have olives trees throughout your territory but not anoint yourself with oil, because your olives will drop off.  (41)  You will father sons and daughters, but they will not remain yours, because they will be taken prisoner.  (42)  Whirring insects will take possession of all your trees and your land's produce.  (43)  The foreign resident among you will rise higher and higher above you, while you sink lower and lower.  (44)  He will lend to you, but you won't lend to him. He will be the head, and you will be the tail.  (45)  "All these curses will come, pursue, and overtake you until you are destroyed, since you did not obey the LORD your God and keep the commands and statutes He gave you.
• Revelation 18:22-24 HCSB  (22)  The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters will never be heard in you again; no craftsman of any trade will ever be found in you again; the sound of a mill will never be heard in you again;  (23)  the light of a lamp will never shine in you again; and the voice of a groom and bride will never be heard in you again. All this will happen because your merchants were the nobility of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery,  (24)  and the blood of prophets and saints, and all those slaughtered on earth, was found in you.

See also Proverbs 5:10

Ecclesiastes 5:7 HCSB  For many dreams bring futility, also many words. So, fear God.

Many dreams bring futility. Though the Scriptures do include many instances of God speaking to humans through dreams (Genesis 28:10-13; 37:5-11; 41:15-16; Judges 7:13-15; 1 Samuel 28:6, 15; Acts 2:17-21), the Scriptures also recognize that these are very rare, and far between. These dreams were never lightly given. Apparently, Hashem only uses this form of communication when the circumstances warrant. Even then, such revelations were ordinarily (but not always according to Acts 2:17-18 and Joel 2:28) directed to His ministers and specially chosen servants such as Jacob, Joseph, Nebuchadnezzar, and Daniel. (Amos 3:7)

The vast majority of our dreams are just random firings of the neurons, chaotic synaptic connections created by the restless brain as it tries to continue stitching a continuous story line out of these random sensations. Those who rely too much on dreams and visions are subject not only to futility but also to outright heresy and false prophecy (Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Jeremiah 23:25-28, 32; 27:9-10; 29:8-9; Zechariah 10:2). 

Ecclesiastes 5:8-9 HCSB  If you see oppression of the poor and perversion of justice and righteousness in the province, don't be astonished at the situation, because one official protects another official, and higher officials protect them.  (9)  The profit from the land is taken by all; the king is served by the field.

If you see. The intent is more along the lines of "when you see" according to the larger context of Ecclesiastes. Abuse of power and oppression of the weaker by the stronger is all but inevitable in human societies (James 2:6-7). 

Province. Medinah can mean an outying area of a large kingdom (Esther 1:1, 22; 3:12, 14) or it can mean any particular land that is under the control of a government (Daniel 11:24; Lamentations 1:1; Ezekiel 19:8 cp Ezra 4:13; 5:7). In any case, the meaning remains the same: a particular land under a government's control. 
 
Don't be surprised. Those of you who are familiar with world history know full well the lengths that men have gone to in order to maintain their powerful positions. Every nation, regardless of race, religion, or governmental form has been lied to by their leaders. It has gone from the lies of the king whose son raped Dinah (Genesis 34:2), to King David covering his adultery (2 Samuel 11), all the way to "Iraq possesses weapons of mass destruction and poses an imminent danger". 

One official protects another. It hasn't changed much, has it? See also 3:16-17; 4:1-3. 

The king is served by the field. Basically, what he's describing is the feudal system with the serfs tied to the land so tightly that those who ultimately own the land, own the people who work the land. Each large area supports some type of leader. A group of these plots support a larger leader. Finally, at the top of the pyramid is the king who owns it all and who lives off it all. Consider - how well are the people really served by such a system? The larger the government, the harder the people must work to get less and less of a benefit. God's theocratic system served us well for thousands of years, but we decided we wanted to be ruled the way the goyim were ruled (1 Samuel 8:1-22)...and we got the same results they did too!

Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 HCSB The one who loves money is never satisfied with money, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This too is futile.  (11)  When good things increase, the ones who consume them multiply; what, then, is the profit to the owner, except to gaze at them with his eyes?

Loves money. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. 

• 1 Timothy 6:6-11 HCSB  But godliness with contentment is a great gain.  (7)  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out.  (8)  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.  (9)  But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction.  (10)  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.  (11)  Now you, man of God, run from these things; but pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.

Money. The Hebrew word is kesef which literally means "silver" but it is always used in the sense of coinage - thus "money". 

Never satisfied. There is an old saying that goes "Crescit nummi, quantum ipsa pecunia crescit." "The love of money increases in proportion as money itself increases." (Ecclesiastes 4:8; 6:7; Psalm 52:1, 7; 62:10; Proverbs 30:15-16; Habakkuk 2:5-7; Matthew 6:19, 24; Luke 12:15; 1 Timothy 6:9-10; James 5:1-3)

Ecclesiastes 5:12 HCSB  The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich permits him no sleep.

Sleep of the worker is sweet. Having worked as a logger (I know of no more brutal a form of labor) I can fully attest to the veracity of this statement. I was poor as a church mouse and often hungry, but one way or the other - I slept like a baby! 

Sweet whether he eats little or much. Today's society teaches that everyone deserves to be happy and that everyone should enjoy the "good things" of life. In contrast, the medieval commentators Rashi and Sforno added at this point that God's gift of enjoyment is for those who earn it by meritorious deeds, and who would enjoy the blessing of their deeds not only on earth, but finally in olam habah (the afterlife).  I would tend to agree with Rashi et al, believing that happiness and peace are byproducts of right living and obedience to Hashem's mitzvoth, rather than ends in and of themselves. 

Sweet sleep comes to those who work hard because they can rest, knowing that they have done all they could to assure their future (Proverbs 31:21), have done their duty, and can leave the rest in God's very capable hands (Matthew 6:25-31). If he goes to bed hungry, his exhaustion is sufficient to carry the day. If he has eaten well then his healthy constitution and simple food will prevent his digestive system from keeping him from his sleep. 

Abundance of the rich permits...no sleep. Why? because wealth is so ephemeral (Proverbs 11:18; 13:11; 21:6; 23:4-5; 27:24; 28:8)  and it seems like the more you gain, the more "friends" gather round you to help you spend it (Proverbs 19:4! Increased wealth can bring greater complexity in life (Proverbs 15:16; 17:1). With great wealth can also come great threat as sinners want to get what you have but without the accompanying labor (Proverbs 13:8). It may also be because they are spending their money on sin, and the accompanying guilt is keeping them up (Proverbs 10:16 cp 10:22; 11:4, 24-26; 15:6; 16:8; 28:6). It could also be the richness of their diet or the sheer amount they eat that is preventing sweet sleep from coming to them.

Ecclesiastes 5:13-17 HCSB  There is a sickening tragedy I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.  (14)  That wealth was lost in a bad venture, so when he fathered a son, he was empty-handed.  (15)  As he came from his mother's womb, so he will go again, naked as he came; he will take nothing for his efforts that he can carry in his hands.  (16)  This too is a sickening tragedy: exactly as he comes, so he will go. What does he gain who struggles for the wind?  (17)  What is more, he eats in darkness all his days, with much sorrow, sickness, and anger.


Sickening tragedy..wealth kept...to his harm. As, for example, the case of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-23). The rich man did not go to Gehenna because he was rich. He went because he was rich and did nothing with his riches to help the poor beggar right at his door. We are to be pipe lines of Hashem's blessings to this world (Proverbs 11:24-26). We are to honor the Lord with our wealth (Proverbs 3:9-10). Any resources given to us are not for us to hoard but to use for the development of God's kingdom and for the establishment of justice in this world. Riches that are hoarded or spent on one's own selfish pleasures (Luke 15:13-14) will be of no use on the Day of Judgment. The same riches, spent on the Lord's concerns, will be a "safeguard against death" (Proverbs 11:4). Riches kept are kept to our hurt, and if lost are lost to our grief. Truly, a man with valuable possessions but without understanding is like the animals that perish! (Psalm 49:20)

Lost in a bad venture...son...empty handed. How many examples can we point to today of people who lost their money in dangerous ventures in the stock market, betting on a con man's promise and sweaty handshake and being left poverty stricken and with nothing to leave for their children but debts and funeral expenses (Proverbs 13:22)? 

As he came...naked...will take nothing. This is precisely brother Job's view of the matter. 

• Job 1:21 HCSB  saying: Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will leave this life. The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Praise the name of the LORD.
  

See also Psalm 49:17 and 1 Timothy 6:7. In contrast, Lowlander culture advocates "he who dies with the most toys wins"! We need to keep in mind that only those things stored in Heaven's vaults (Matthew 6:20) or inscribed in the Book of Life (Daniel 7:10; Revelation 20:12) next to our names is lasting. 

Ecclesiastes 5:18 HCSB  Here is what I have seen to be good: it is appropriate to eat, drink, and experience good in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of his life God has given him, because that is his reward.

I have seen to be good. This doesn't happen often in  this literary work of a jaded philosopher king. In the midst of a moribund, cynical, and pessimistic analysis, the one consistently positive element in the human experience keeps coming out. 

The word translated here "good" is a combination of two Hebrew words, towb yafeh, which literally mean "a lovely goodness." Such simple pleasures have a certain beautiful quality to them. A little girl in a summer dress strolling through a field, her arms outstretched and hands brushing the wildflowers is a vision of beauty. An old man bowing his head over a simple meal of bread and soup, his gnarled hands clasped in prayer and adoration, is another. These are the kinds of things that we should value; not the Lamborghinis, lewd starletts, and fast-paced, bright lights of sin cities (1 Timothy 6:17-19). 

Eat, drink, and experience good in...labor. Tzaddikim recognize that the simple pleasures: food, drink, and the ability to work, are good gifts from God. See also 2:24; 3:12-13, 22; 8:15; 9:7, 9; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 1 Timothy 2:2

God has given him.  Yahweh Adonai presides over us all, dispensing gifts to His people (1 Corinthians 12:4-5; Ephesians 4:8; Hebrews 2:4; James 1:17) and keeping close tabs on the rashaim (Psalm 37:9, 12-13, 38). 

Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 HCSB  God has also given riches and wealth to every man, and He has allowed him to enjoy them, take his reward, and rejoice in his labor. This is a gift of God,  (20)  for he does not often consider the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.

God has also given...has allowed. 

• Deuteronomy 8:17-20 HCSB  You may say to yourself, 'My power and my own ability have gained this wealth for me,'  (18)  but remember that the LORD your God gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant He swore to your fathers, as it is today.  (19)  If you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods to worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will perish.  (20)  Like the nations the LORD is about to destroy before you, you will perish if you do not obey the LORD your God.
  

We must be very careful to not ascribe personal merit to ourselves (Daniel 4:30-31; Romans 12:16) when success comes to us. Instead, we are to give glory to the Father, and consider the lessons to be learned by observing the wicked when they fall. 

• Deuteronomy 9:4-5 HCSB  When the LORD your God drives them out before you, do not say to yourself, 'The LORD brought me in to take possession of this land because of my righteousness.' Instead, the LORD will drive out these nations before you because of their wickedness.  (5)  You are not going to take possession of their land because of your righteousness or your integrity. Instead, the LORD your God will drive out these nations before you because of their wickedness, in order to keep the promise He swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
  

In this way, we will cultivate the requisite humility (1 Peter 5:6) to stay on God's good side (James 4:6, 10; 1 Peter 5:5). 

Allowed to...take his reward. We are allowed to enjoy our material blessings. Job was given more in the end than he had at the beginning (Job 42:10). Abraham was very wealthy (Genesis 13:2). Wealthy ladies supported the Lord Jesus in His ministry (Luke 8:3). Lydia's wealth allowed her to show hospitality to the apostle Paul (Acts 16:14-15, 40). There's nothing wrong with being rich. We just need to keep humble about it and put more of it to use in God's kingdom (which is eternal) than we do on our personal comforts and pleasures (which is fleeting and spiritually dangerous). 

Does not consider the days of his life. We all live with the Damoclesian sword of death suspended over our heads but few of us think about it on a daily basis. We are mortal beings, subject to disease and accident, and even the most long-lived among us live about as long as a parrot. Some do begin to think of such things in an obsessive manner and become despondent and even self-destructive. Others handle the information well, doing their best to live each day to its fullest. But, for the majority of us, God has provided the simple daily pleasures of useful business to keep us distracted from oncoming Death.