Ecclesiastes 5 Study Notes: Reverence Before God and the Love of Money
The Teacher urges careful listening and few words before God and warns that promises made to Him must be kept. He observes injustice among officials, the endless craving of those who love money, and how no one carries wealth out of this life, and says that being able to enjoy food and work is something God gives.
General
When going to God’s house, what does the Teacher say in 5:1 is better than offering a fool’s sacrifice?
Answer: Coming near in order to hear and heed
The Teacher tells people to watch their steps, that is, to be careful how they come, when they go to God’s house. It is better to come close to listen than to offer sacrifices the way fools do, since fools do wrong without even knowing it (5:1). The prophet Samuel said the same thing to King Saul: obeying the LORD matters more than offerings (1 Samuel 15:22). Proverbs says doing what is right and just pleases the LORD more than sacrifice (Proverbs 21:3), and James tells everyone to be swift to hear and slow with words (James 1:19).
- Ecclesiastes 5:1 (BSB)“Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.”The Teacher urges care at God’s house and prefers listening to the sacrifice of fools.
- 1 Samuel 15:22 (BSB)“But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.”Samuel declares that obedience and attentiveness are better than sacrifice.
- Proverbs 21:3 (BSB)“To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.”Doing righteousness and justice pleases the LORD more than sacrifice.
- James 1:19 (BSB)“My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,”Believers are to be quick to listen and slow to speak.
Theological
In 5:1, what is set against the sacrifice offered by fools at God’s house?
Answer: Coming near in order to hear and heed
The opening command of 5:1, to guard one’s steps at God’s house, calls for reverent attentiveness. Listening is preferred to the offerings of fools, who bring outward worship while unaware of their own wrongdoing. This echoes Samuel’s rebuke that obedience and attentiveness surpass sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22) and Proverbs 21:3, where righteousness and justice please the LORD more than offerings. James 1:19 gives the same order: swift to hear, slow to speak.
- Ecclesiastes 5:1 (BSB)“Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.”The Teacher urges care at God’s house and prefers listening to the sacrifice of fools.
- 1 Samuel 15:22 (BSB)“But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.”Samuel declares that obedience and attentiveness are better than sacrifice.
- Proverbs 21:3 (BSB)“To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.”Doing righteousness and justice pleases the LORD more than sacrifice.
- James 1:19 (BSB)“My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,”Believers are to be quick to listen and slow to speak.
General
True or False: In 5:19, the Teacher says that when God gives a person riches, the ability to enjoy them, accept one’s lot, and rejoice in one’s work comes as God’s gift too.
Answer: True
This is true. After the gloom of 5:13-17, the Teacher says what he has found good and right: to eat, drink, and be satisfied in one’s work during the short life God gives, for this is one’s lot or portion (5:18). When God gives riches and also enables a person to enjoy them, accept his portion, and be glad in his work, that is God’s gift (5:19), and God keeps him busy with gladness of heart so that he does not dwell on how short life is (5:20). The call is to receive with contentment whatever God gives, whether much or little. The Teacher said the same in 3:13, Paul says God generously supplies everything for our enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17), and James says every good gift comes from above (James 1:17).
- Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (BSB)“Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of life that God has given him—for this is his lot. Furthermore, God has given riches and wealth to every man, and He has enabled him to enjoy them, to accept his lot, and to rejoice in his labor. This is a gift from God. For a man seldom considers the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.”The Teacher calls enjoyment of food, work, and one’s lot good and names it God’s gift.
- Ecclesiastes 3:13 (BSB)“and also that every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his labor—this is the gift of God.”The Teacher earlier called finding satisfaction in one’s labor the gift of God.
- 1 Timothy 6:17 (BSB)“Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.”Paul says God richly provides all things for us to enjoy, so hope belongs in Him, not wealth.
- James 1:17 (BSB)“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.”Every good gift comes down from the Father above.
Theological
True or False: According to 5:19, not only wealth but also the power to enjoy it, accept one’s portion, and rejoice in one’s toil is a divine gift.
Answer: True
This is true. Verses 18-20 set over against the grievous evils of 5:13-17 what the Teacher calls good and right: to eat, drink and be satisfied in labor through the brief span God apportions, since this is one’s lot. Possessions and the capacity to enjoy them are distinct gifts, and both come from God’s hand (5:19); He occupies such a person with joy of heart (5:20). The call is to receive God’s gifts, whether many or few, with contentment under His providence, as in 3:13. Paul likewise bids the rich hope in God, the generous Supplier of everything we enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17), and James traces every good gift to the Father above (James 1:17).
- Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (BSB)“Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of life that God has given him—for this is his lot. Furthermore, God has given riches and wealth to every man, and He has enabled him to enjoy them, to accept his lot, and to rejoice in his labor. This is a gift from God. For a man seldom considers the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.”The Teacher calls enjoyment of food, work, and one’s lot good and names it God’s gift.
- Ecclesiastes 3:13 (BSB)“and also that every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his labor—this is the gift of God.”The Teacher earlier called finding satisfaction in one’s labor the gift of God.
- 1 Timothy 6:17 (BSB)“Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.”Paul says God richly provides all things for us to enjoy, so hope belongs in Him, not wealth.
- James 1:17 (BSB)“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.”Every good gift comes down from the Father above.
General
According to 5:4-5, what is better than vowing something to God and then failing to keep it?
Answer: Never making the vow in the first place
A vow is a solemn promise made to God. The Teacher says that when someone makes one, he must not delay in keeping it, for God takes no delight in fools. Making no vow at all is better than vowing and not paying (5:4-5). Nor should a person let his mouth lead him into sin and then claim before the messenger that the vow was an error, for that could bring God’s anger on his work (5:6). After warning that many dreams and many words lead to futility, the Teacher concludes that people should fear God (5:7). The Law said the same: refraining from a vow is not sin, but a vow once made must be kept (Deuteronomy 23:21-23; Numbers 30:2), and Proverbs calls rash dedication a trap (Proverbs 20:25).
- Ecclesiastes 5:4-7 (BSB)“When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, and do not tell the messenger that your vow was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands? For as many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God.”The Teacher urges prompt fulfillment of vows and ends by calling people to fear God.
- Deuteronomy 23:21-23 (BSB)“If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin. Be careful to follow through on what comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed to the LORD your God with your own mouth.”The Law says refraining from a vow is no sin, but a vow made must be kept.
- Numbers 30:2 (BSB)“If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised.”A man who vows to the LORD must do everything he has promised.
- Proverbs 20:25 (BSB)“It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.”Rashly dedicating something and later reconsidering is called a trap.
Theological
What does 5:4-5 rank above a vow made to God and left unpaid?
Answer: Never making the vow in the first place
Verses 4-7 apply the call to guarded speech to vows. A vow, once made, must be paid promptly, for God is not pleased with fools, and abstaining from a vow is better than vowing and defaulting (5:4-5). Retracting before the messenger, as though the vow were an error, provokes God against the work of one’s hands (5:6). The section ends with the book’s recurring summons: fear God (5:7). The Teacher’s counsel echoes the law of vows given through Moses, which made vowing voluntary but keeping a vow obligatory (Deuteronomy 23:21-23; Numbers 30:2), and Proverbs 20:25 warns against rash dedication followed by second thoughts.
- Ecclesiastes 5:4-7 (BSB)“When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, and do not tell the messenger that your vow was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands? For as many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God.”The Teacher urges prompt fulfillment of vows and ends by calling people to fear God.
- Deuteronomy 23:21-23 (BSB)“If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin. Be careful to follow through on what comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed to the LORD your God with your own mouth.”The Law says refraining from a vow is no sin, but a vow made must be kept.
- Numbers 30:2 (BSB)“If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised.”A man who vows to the LORD must do everything he has promised.
- Proverbs 20:25 (BSB)“It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.”Rashly dedicating something and later reconsidering is called a trap.
General
What reason does 5:2 give for being slow to speak before God?
Answer: God dwells in heaven, high above people on earth
The Teacher warns against rushing into words before God, whether out loud or hastily in the heart. The reason is the great distance between God, who dwells in heaven, and people, who live on the earth, so a person’s words should be few (5:2). He adds that just as many worries produce dreams, a fool is known by his many words (5:3). Jesus likewise warned against babbling in prayer as if many words would make God listen (Matthew 6:7), Proverbs says that when words multiply, sin cannot be avoided (Proverbs 10:19), and a psalm confesses that God reigns in heaven and does whatever He wills (Psalm 115:3).
- Ecclesiastes 5:2-3 (BSB)“Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few. As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words.”The Teacher warns against hasty words before God because He is in heaven and man is on earth.
- Matthew 6:7 (BSB)“And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard.”Jesus warns against thinking many words in prayer will make God hear.
- Proverbs 10:19 (BSB)“When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”Many words make sin unavoidable, while restraint of the lips is wise.
- Psalm 115:3 (BSB)“Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.”God is confessed as dwelling in heaven and doing whatever He pleases.
Theological
On what ground does 5:2 urge restraint in speech before God?
Answer: God dwells in heaven, high above people on earth
Verse 2 grounds restraint in speech on the vast distance between Creator and creature: God dwells above in heaven and man below on the earth; words before Him should be few and considered. Verse 3 adds a proverb linking many words to the fool, as many cares produce dreams. The same reverence appears in Jesus’ warning against babbling on in prayer as though many words would be heard (Matthew 6:7), in Proverbs 10:19 on the danger of multiplied words, and in Psalm 115:3, which confesses the heavenly God’s sovereign freedom.
- Ecclesiastes 5:2-3 (BSB)“Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few. As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words.”The Teacher warns against hasty words before God because He is in heaven and man is on earth.
- Matthew 6:7 (BSB)“And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard.”Jesus warns against thinking many words in prayer will make God hear.
- Proverbs 10:19 (BSB)“When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”Many words make sin unavoidable, while restraint of the lips is wise.
- Psalm 115:3 (BSB)“Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.”God is confessed as dwelling in heaven and doing whatever He pleases.
General
What does the Teacher say in 5:10 about the person who loves money?
Answer: Money never satisfies him, however much he gains
The Teacher observes that a person who loves money never gets enough of it, and a lover of wealth always wants more income (5:10). As goods increase, so do the people who use them up, and the owner gains little more than the sight of them (5:11). A worker sleeps well whether his meals are small or large, but the rich man’s abundance keeps him awake (5:12). Paul warns that craving money lies at the root of every sort of evil (1 Timothy 6:9-10), Hebrews calls believers to keep clear of money-love and be content (Hebrews 13:5), and Jesus said a person’s life is not made up of how much he owns (Luke 12:15). The problem named here is the heart’s love for money.
- Ecclesiastes 5:10-12 (BSB)“He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes? The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep.”The Teacher shows that the love of money never satisfies and that abundance brings no rest.
- 1 Timothy 6:9-10 (BSB)“Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”Paul warns that the love of money leads to ruin and many sorrows.
- Hebrews 13:5 (BSB)“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.””Believers are to be free from the love of money and content with what they have.
- Luke 12:15 (BSB)“And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.””Jesus warns that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.
Theological
What does 5:10 say about the one who loves money and wealth?
Answer: Money never satisfies him, however much he gains
Verse 10 diagnoses money-love as self-defeating: the one who loves money never has enough of it, nor the lover of wealth with gain. Verses 11-12 add that increase brings more consumers, leaving the owner only the sight of his goods, and that the rich man’s surplus robs him of the sleep a laborer enjoys. The New Testament draws the same line: craving money lies at the root of every sort of evil (1 Timothy 6:9-10), believers are to keep free from it and be content (Hebrews 13:5), and a person’s life is not measured by possessions (Luke 12:15). The fault lies in the heart’s attachment to wealth.
- Ecclesiastes 5:10-12 (BSB)“He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes? The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep.”The Teacher shows that the love of money never satisfies and that abundance brings no rest.
- 1 Timothy 6:9-10 (BSB)“Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”Paul warns that the love of money leads to ruin and many sorrows.
- Hebrews 13:5 (BSB)“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.””Believers are to be free from the love of money and content with what they have.
- Luke 12:15 (BSB)“And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.””Jesus warns that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.
General
According to 5:15, what does a person carry away with him when he departs this life?
Answer: Nothing from all his hard work
The Teacher describes a painful evil: wealth kept to its owner’s harm, or lost in a bad venture so that his son inherits nothing (5:13-14). Just as a person entered the world with nothing, he leaves it the same way, carrying nothing from his labor in his hands (5:15). He worked for the wind and spent his days in gloom, sickness and anger (5:16-17). Job said the same when he lost everything (Job 1:21), Paul says we arrived with nothing and can take nothing with us (1 Timothy 6:7), and a psalm says the rich carry nothing away when they die (Psalm 49:16-17).
- Ecclesiastes 5:13-15 (BSB)“There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, or wealth lost in a failed venture, so when that man has a son there is nothing to pass on. As a man came from his mother’s womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands.”Hoarded or lost wealth leaves a man to depart as empty as he came.
- Job 1:21 (BSB)“saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.””Job confesses that he came into the world naked and will leave the same way.
- 1 Timothy 6:7 (BSB)“For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it.”Paul says we brought nothing into the world and can carry nothing out.
- Psalm 49:16-17 (BSB)“Do not be afraid when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases. For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down.”The rich man’s abundance does not follow him when he dies.
Theological
What does 5:15 say a person takes with him from his labor at death?
Answer: Nothing from all his hard work
Verses 13-17 present a grievous evil: riches hoarded to their owner’s hurt or lost in misfortune, leaving nothing for an heir. Death strips every person bare; as he entered life, so he departs, with nothing from his toil in hand (5:15). The man who labors only for gain labors for wind and spends his days in darkness, sorrow and anger (5:16-17). Job’s confession (Job 1:21), Paul’s reminder that we bring nothing in and carry nothing out (1 Timothy 6:7), and Psalm 49:16-17 all affirm the same leveling truth.
- Ecclesiastes 5:13-15 (BSB)“There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, or wealth lost in a failed venture, so when that man has a son there is nothing to pass on. As a man came from his mother’s womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands.”Hoarded or lost wealth leaves a man to depart as empty as he came.
- Job 1:21 (BSB)“saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.””Job confesses that he came into the world naked and will leave the same way.
- 1 Timothy 6:7 (BSB)“For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it.”Paul says we brought nothing into the world and can carry nothing out.
- Psalm 49:16-17 (BSB)“Do not be afraid when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases. For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down.”The rich man’s abundance does not follow him when he dies.
General
When the Teacher tells his hearers in 5:8 not to be shocked at seeing the poor oppressed and justice denied, what does he point to?
Answer: Layers of officials, each watched by one above him
The Teacher says no one should be shocked to see the poor crushed and justice and righteousness denied in a province. The reason is that each official has a higher one keeping watch on him, and still higher ones stand over them, while everyone takes a share of what the land yields, and even the king gains from the fields (5:8-9). Readers differ on whether these layers are mainly pictured as each one taking a share, or as offering some check on one another, but either way the Teacher is describing how injustice works within systems of power. He made a similar observation in 4:1, and earlier he had said that God will judge every person, righteous or wicked (3:16-17). The book ends by saying God will judge every deed (12:14).
- Ecclesiastes 5:8-9 (BSB)“If you see the oppression of the poor and the denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished at the matter; for one official is watched by a superior, and others higher still are over them. The produce of the earth is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.”The Teacher explains why oppression in a province should not astonish anyone.
- Ecclesiastes 4:1 (BSB)“Again I looked, and I considered all the oppression taking place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; the power lay in the hands of their oppressors, and there was no comforter.”The Teacher had already observed oppression with power on the side of the oppressors.
- Ecclesiastes 3:16-17 (BSB)“Furthermore, I saw under the sun that in the place of judgment there is wickedness, and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness. I said in my heart, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked, since there is a time for every activity and every deed.””Seeing wickedness in the place of justice, the Teacher affirms that God will judge.
- Ecclesiastes 12:14 (BSB)“For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.”Every deed, even hidden ones, will come under God’s judgment.
Theological
What explanation does 5:8-9 give for why injustice in the province should not surprise anyone?
Answer: Layers of officials, each watched by one above him
In 5:8-9 the Teacher explains the persistence of oppression in a province by its structure: officials stacked above officials, each overseen by another, with all taking a share of what the land yields and the king himself gaining from the fields. Interpreters differ on whether the hierarchy chiefly multiplies exploitation or provides a measure of order; either way the Teacher is describing how power works as he sees it. It continues the theme of 4:1 and rests finally on the conviction that God will judge both righteous and wicked (3:16-17) and judge every deed (12:14).
- Ecclesiastes 5:8-9 (BSB)“If you see the oppression of the poor and the denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished at the matter; for one official is watched by a superior, and others higher still are over them. The produce of the earth is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.”The Teacher explains why oppression in a province should not astonish anyone.
- Ecclesiastes 4:1 (BSB)“Again I looked, and I considered all the oppression taking place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; the power lay in the hands of their oppressors, and there was no comforter.”The Teacher had already observed oppression with power on the side of the oppressors.
- Ecclesiastes 3:16-17 (BSB)“Furthermore, I saw under the sun that in the place of judgment there is wickedness, and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness. I said in my heart, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked, since there is a time for every activity and every deed.””Seeing wickedness in the place of justice, the Teacher affirms that God will judge.
- Ecclesiastes 12:14 (BSB)“For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.”Every deed, even hidden ones, will come under God’s judgment.