Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (OTA)

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

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.

How many words do you need to say something? Generally when I find that I know something really well I know how to say with a few words. There are other times when I have a vague idea and use a lot of words to hopefully find the best answer. But some people still think you are smart for this process.

Similarly there are people that use large words or very specific terminology in order to show intelligence in a certIn area. But do our words really show how intelligent someone actual is? Maybe we should listen to the wise man behind the words of our text. Solomon reminds us to listen.

Most of the time I think people view me as smart because I try not to say anything unless I can speak intelligently on the subject. I will admit that this is not always the case. But listening to what other people has to say, and even asking them questions about why they think or believe that can yield a much better understanding than just using words to make your position look, or sound, better.

We all have our egoes and pride to deal with. But God is the wise one. He is the one who truly knows what is good and evil. He is the one who tells us what is good and evil. He is k

Even the one who you can not bluff. You can not trick God, or blinding offer to God phrases learned in a book. God looks into your heart and see black coal.

He sent his Son to spill perfect blood to change that black coal into light. The Spirit comes to change and transform us into holy people, who can listen to the word of God. You can listen just stop and try it. You are forgiven in Christ.