Reflections Questions
Ecclesiastes 5.1-7
- Discuss: if you could only give one answer, what is the defining feature of a church gathering?
- So far in the book of Ecclesiastes, the preacher has shown us the value and the limits of wisdom. In our focus passage we consider what it means to act wisely as we gather for worship.
Eccl 5.1 ‘Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.’
In Solomon’s day, the house of God was the temple, where God was present with his people in a special way. When entering this house, what is the wise worshipper’s first and central act of faith?
- When we gather in the name of Jesus, with his people, his presence is with us (Matthew 18.20). As we gather in the name of Jesus, what then is the Christian’s first and central act of faith (Ecclesiastes 5.1)?
- Here are three attitudes that get in the way of our coming before our great God to listen to his word in the Scriptures and the Gospel:
- We sometimes judge the word of God (instead of listen) based on the ‘truth’ we feel we have found in our personal experience.
- We sometimes judge the word of God based on the ‘truth’ that our emotions show us.
- We ignore the word of God because we feel satisfied by the promises of affluence and materialism.
Which of these attitudes is most tempting for you? What are the slaveries or tensions that emerge in our lives when we give in to these attitudes?
- After listening, we can respond to God by making promises to offer gifts and ourselves to him. Our promises should line up with Scripture, be within our human limitations, and be timely. What promises have you made in the presence of God (eg. a commitment to a ministry, giving, offering of self in baptism) that you need to renew? Are there areas where you are in danger of a disconnect between what you have promised and what you are doing?
- What advice does Ecclesiastes 2-7 offer regarding making and fulfilling vows?
- How do we see God’s faithfulness in Jesus, the connection between God’s vows and actions?
- Spend some time praising God for his faithfulness and asking for his help to fulfill godly promises you have made.