Greetings & Introduction
My warm greetings to all of you in the holy name of Jehovah and in His beloved Son Jesus Christ, the God of life, in whom our lives can truly find meaning and abundance in this age and the age to come. And may you find peace, joy, love and grace in our Triune God. May our God be praised forever. Amen.
My dear ones, each new day gives us an opportunity to pause for a moment in the presence of our God, seek His face and quiet our hearts to hear His voice. But on this spiritual journey, often we are hasty in our words, thoughts and desires. Today's verse, Ecclesiastes 5:2, reminds us of this:
"Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be Few."
This is an invitation for all of us to go deeper into silence, to speak with care, and to accept the fact that we are communicating with a great, high, and holy God. When we recognize that God is in heaven and we are on earth, our speech is filled with reverence and our hearts with humility.
Today we stand before a Word that calls us to inner discipline, devotion, and self-examination. It reminds us that it is more valuable to listen to God than to speak to him. Let us begin this day with a heart ready to listen to our Creator, a spirit willing to yield, and a voice that is restrained. God still speaks today, and He speaks more deeply to hearts that first learn to listen.
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Title : Reverence in the Presence of God
Book : Ecclesiastes
Author: King Solomon
Chapter: 5
Verse : 2
Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be Few. Ecclesiastes 5:2 (NKJV)
Context Of The Chapter
Ecclesiastes 5 shows us a path through the vanities of life that is ultimately filled with spiritual wisdom, humility, and a God-centered perspective. The chapter delves deep into three main areas of human life: religious behavior, social justice, and the pursuit of wealth, and explains where and how meaning comes from all of these.
The chapter begins with a serious warning to us about worshiping God: When we come to His house, let our feet be cautious, our speech restrained, and our hearts humble. Worship is not a matter of ritual but of reverence and obedience. Here the author teaches us that it is foolish to speak without thinking, or to make passionate vows. Because God is in heaven and we are on earth, we must come into His presence thoughtfully, quietly, and with fear.
The author then draws attention to social injustice. If we see tyranny, corruption and abuse of power in the world, do not be surprised. This is the reality of “under the sun”. But despite this, do not forget that above every authority there is a supreme Lord who is our God who sees and judges everything.
In the third part, the author exposes the transience of wealth and the futility of chasing it. He says: He who loves money is never satisfied. As wealth increases, so does anxiety and greed. Ultimately, we leave this world just as we came, that too empty-handed. If wealth is earned or consumed apart from God, it becomes only a burden, not joy.
But the chapter ends on an optimistic note. The author says that the little gifts of life such as food, labor, rest, if accepted with gratitude to God, become the source of true joy. This joy is not a human achievement, but a gift from God. This joy keeps the mind away from worries and gives a deep stability to life.
So overall this chapter teaches us that only by fearing God, following Him, and being content with the gifts He has given us can we find true meaning and peace in this world full of vanities. And make our lives truly meaningful
Ecclesiastes 5:2 - Commentary
Do not be rash with your mouth - This phrase comes as a clear warning to us that we need to control the speed of our speech, especially when we are before God. We can see that even great men like Moses and David were hasty in their speech and spoke foolish things, which shows that no one is immune from this mistake. Our Christ also points this out when He speaks of “vain chatter” which shows that spiritual conversation should be thoughtful.
This teaching is equally relevant and appropriate in the modern age when prayers become mere formalities, or become out of control due to emotions. Self-control and control over speech are the marks of a true devotee.
Remember when Moses struck the rock twice with his staff in anger and said, “Shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” (Numbers 20:10–12). This hasty and angry statement insulted God's glory, and this is why Moses did not get entry into the Promised Land.
Similarly, when Peter heard about Jesus' suffering, he immediately said, "Lord, never let this happen" (Matthew 16:22), Jesus rebuked him because Peter gave priority to the things of men, not to God's plan.
And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. Here the author is talking not only about the tongue, but also about the hasty mind. It is also important to keep the inner state of the mind restrained.
For it is our hasty mind that does not speak thoughtfully and does not lift up the Spirit deeply. This shows that mental preparation is necessary before true prayer. This is a warning against the tendency of today's "real-time" age, where we want to express every feeling or thought immediately, whether it is on social media or in prayer.
Hannah (1 Samuel 1) is an excellent example for us. She deeply pondered the anguish of her heart before she could put it into words. She prayed silently in her heart, and the birth of Samuel was the result of that well-controlled inner anxiety.
In contrast, when the Israelites grumbled incessantly and impatiently for food in the wilderness (Numbers 11), their impatient hearts displeased God and led to judgment.
For God is in heaven, and you on earth- The writer of Ecclesiastes wants to point out that this phrase does not refer to geographical distance, but to a difference in status and power. He sees God as majestic, omniscient, and omnipotent, knowing every word and thought. He also explains it as the gap between human earthliness and God's ultimate divinity. This is an amazing look at our spiritual state. We are dust and ashes, and yet God hears us; so we should speak with more reverence and discretion.
Remember when Job recognized his insignificance in the face of God's glory, he said, "I am insignificant… I do not know how to speak" (Job 40:4). Similarly, when Isaiah saw the vision of God's throne, he cried out, "Alas! I am ruined." (Isaiah 6:5). This experience was the result of his deep humility and recognition of God's height.
Therfore let your words be few- this is the conclusion of the whole idea to speak little, but speak thoughtfully. Just as we speak thoughtfully before the great people of the earth, even before our boss, we should speak in the same way before God. That is, when we say something about God in public or talk to Him in secret, we should not be hasty in doing it. Indeed this “short but deep” principle can become a guide not only for prayer, but for the entire spiritual life. It is not the number of words that matters, but the spirit and truth behind them.
When Jesus Christ clearly stated in Matthew 6:7, “When you pray, do not keep on babbling like the Gentiles, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.”
On the other hand, the woman of Karni (Mark 7:28) expressed her faith in just one sentence, and the Lord accepted her humility and wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 5:2 is a verse that calls us to spiritual humility, thoughtful prayer, and a deep recognition of the glory of God. This ancient wisdom is a living principle even in today’s self-centered, reactive age. When we speak, especially when we speak to God, we must first learn to listen, understand, and bow down in the Spirit.)
Ecclesiastes 5:2 - Application to Life
Ecclesiastes 5:2 gives us a very valuable spiritual lesson that is completely relevant even in the crowded, noisy, and hurried environment of modern life. This verse teaches us that speaking before God is not just an exchange of words, but a spiritual exercise that demands reverence, self-control, and discretion in every human being. This verse warns us not to be hasty with our mouths and impatient with our hearts. This does not just apply to the words spoken in prayer, but it touches every aspect of life. Our decisions, reactions, and interactions with others are all applicable to this instruction. Certainly, the human spirit must first bow before the greatness of God, and then speak. When we understand that God is in heaven and we are on earth, it teaches us to speak with humility, fear, and discretion. And in this way a person becomes more grateful to his Creator.
This verse calls on us to develop a spiritual discipline that elevates prayer from a mere expression of emotion to a dialogue with God in spirit and truth, a “thoughtful, substantial, and reverent” utterance by the worshipper to his God. This teaching is especially necessary in today’s age, where we feel it our right to express, post, or respond to every emotion and thought under the pressure of urgency. This verse calls us to self-examine, think before we speak, and understand the power of silence and humility in the presence of the Lord. In prayer, worship, and every interaction of life, this instruction brings maturity to our conduct.
So, Ecclesiastes 5:2 presents not just a theological discipline, but a whole spiritual style of our life. Where we learn to speak less and live deeply, to be thoughtful and to consider every word before we speak whether it will serve God’s glory. This spiritual discernment and self-control is the mark of a truly faithful life.)
Ecclesiastes 5:2 - Prayer
My Dear heavenly Father,
You are enthroned in heaven, and I stand far below you on earth. I cry out to you that you are great, wise, and holy; and I am not even worthy to speak to you, and yet you are always ready to hear me. I thank you and praise you for this wonderful grace.
Father, for the sake of your name and your greatness, do this much for me that when I speak to you, my heart will not be too hasty. Let my words not come out in haste. Teach me to know you even in silence, and when I speak, let it be in spirit and truth. Let my prayer not be a mere pile of words, but full of reverence, love, and understanding.
Lord, you know how many times I have spoken thoughtlessly, emotionally, in vain. Forgive me that I have not called you with the respect and attention that you alone deserve, merciful Father. Give me a heart that is steadfast, and a spirit that willingly bows down before You, knowing and accepting Your greatness.
And Father, when I come before You, whether in prayer, worship, or seeking solutions to life's decisions, remind my soul: You are God, and I am Your creation; You are heavenly and eternal, and I am earthly and temporary; You are holy, and I am completely dependent on You. Give me the grace to speak little, but deeply; that my words may serve Your glory; and that even my silence may become worship before You.
I pray this in Jesus Christ's name. Amen
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