This week is a continuation of last week. Solomon comes back to the idea of idle or empty vows. Did you ever think what would happen if we kept every vow we ever made? our lives would certainly be different! As you read this think about how: How could my life be different? If I had followed through on all the things I ever pledged to do for loved ones, our fellow man and God.
Today's passage start out by stating: "When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow." (Ecc 5:4 NIV) This thought picks up where we left off last week. One who fails to fulfill a vow is like a fool. These vows may also have been made in times of stress when one was in need of God's help.
The author presents a contrast next: "It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it." (Ecc 5:5 NIV) He says it is better to not say anything, make no pledges at all than to make them and not keep them. Our words are taken seriously by God, our higher power.
"Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, "My vow was a mistake." Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?" (Ecc 5:6 NIV) When these vows were made they were made in the presence of temple attendants, be they gate keepers or priests. It was the job of those who labored in the temple to enforce vows made to God. According to Deuteronomy 23:21-23 to not keep a vow that was made was sin. They were freely made but binding when spoken. Solomon understood very well that knowingly sinning would place one under the judgment of God, and that was a precarious place.
Solomon concludes: "Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God." (Ecc 5:7 NIV) The New Living Translation interprets the "much dreaming" as daydreaming. This could be a good alternate translation here. Dreams are referred to earlier in the passage. But here the reference is more to dreams that are empty (like the life lived without God) meaningless and are compared with empty words. Solomon reiterates that "under the sun" our place is to see God as He really is and stand in awe of Him.
As addicts and people who struggle with compulsivity. We may not be in a position to speak openly our promises and vows to God. Those promises to change, make amends, take corrective action are not taken lightly by our higher power. As we turn our lives over to the care of God we learn that we are not all powerful, that we can not speak reality into being as God did (Genesis 1:1-3 ff). As we speak we begin to believe the things we hear ourselves saying. The problem is when they don't jive with reality. Vows to change can be empowering and envisioning but not for the addict who relies on his addiction to maintain his life. Vows to change are sabotaged by the illusion addictive empowerment. For addictive and compulsive people change comes by acknowledging powerless and turning our lives over to the care of God. One of the most important components of this is accepting God as we understand Him. a spiritual journey of adventurous knowledge that never ends. Many of us settle for a view of God that is not equal to our "disease" or our needs. Our view of God must be ever growing so that we can truly be "in awe" of Him.
Personally this section has been most challenging for me and I have made changes in my financial commitments as a result of this passage. So until next week, keep coming back it works if you work it and you're worth it.
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