Dr Tom Hover
December 10, 2023
Ecclesiastes 4:1–16, 5:1-7
FROM TEARS TO WORSHIP
FROM TEARS TO WORSHIP
Ecclesiastes 4:1–16, 5:1-7
Life under the sun, and sees the tears of a mankind that has lost its way. He looks and sees that a life lived on earth without God ultimately brings exploitation, frustration, loneliness and disillusionment. Amid the laughter and gaiety is a vale of tears. For so many people, life is, seemingly, nothing more than a lottery. We all appear to be victims of chance—all subject to the way the wind blows. Through the course of a human life many tears are shed. The Preacher focuses on some of the causes. And then goes into worship!
I. THE AWKWARDNESS OF TEARS
A.) The Tears of The Oppressed
Ecclesiastes 4:1–3, Psalm 12:5, Proverbs 28:16, Ecclesiastes 5:8,
Jeremiah 7:6, I Peter 5:1–3
B.) The Tears of The Frustrated
Ecclesiastes 4:4-5, Proverbs 14:30, Ecclesiastes 4:5
C.) The Tears of The Lonely
Ecclesiastes 4:7-12, Galatians 6:2, I Kings 1:1-4
D.) The Tears of The Disillusioned Ecclesiastes 4:13-16
Sum It Up of Part 1 This passage began with the words, ‘I returned and considered’. If we compare this with the words found in: Revelation 7:9, Revelation 7:17
II. THE AWE OF WORSHIP Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
A.) The Preparation for Worship Ecclesiastes 5:1
1. The Holiness of God Exod. 3:5, In many parts of the world, the Christian preacher is required to remove his shoes before he enters the pulpit. The worship of Israel was centered upon this concept. The rites and rituals of Tabernacle and Temple worship were geared to proclaim and preserve this in the life of the people of Israel. The day of worship (Exod. 16:23; 20:8, 11), the place (Exod. 26:33–34), the offering (Lev. 6:25–27), the priests (Lev. 21:7) and the worshippers (2 Chr. 20:21) were all to be holy before the Lord. This, however, is not just an Old Testament theme. Jesus drove the money changers from the Temple courts (Matt. 21:12–17). Paul commands Christians to examine themselves before coming to the table of the Lord, lest they eat the bread and drink the cup ‘in an unworthy manner’ (1 Cor. 11:27–28). The reverence and godly fear of Old Testament worship is reinforced in New Testament teaching: Hebrews 12:28–29, Leviticus 19:2 Holiness Has Three Dimensions. It begins with reverence towards the one whom we worship — recognizing and acknowledging His awesomeness and purity.
2. The Authority of God John 4:24, Acts 17:21
B.) Presentation of Worship Ecclesiastes 5:2-3
1. A Command This section begins with a command to bridle the tongue. The pagan religions were noted for their lengthy incantations and mantras.
2. A Reason Ecclesiastes 5:2 The act of worship is firstly a gracious action of God in bridging the gulf between himself and the worshipper through the merits of his Son, Jesus Christ the Great High Priest (Heb. 7:20–8:6).
Revelation 1:17–19
3. A Picture Ecclesiastes 4:3
C.) Promises at Worship Ecclesiastes 5:4-7, Proverbs 20:25
1. The Holiness of God Worshippers committed themselves to some kind of action, usually the offering of sacrifices, if God would grant their requests:
a. Jacob Genesis 28:20–21
b. Hannah I Samuel 1:11
c. David Psalm 132:1–6
2. The Responsibility of Promises Ecclesiastes 5:5
Examples: tragically depicted in the story of Jephthah and his daughter (Judg. 11:29–40). How many have we fulfilled? Jesus taught that it was better to say nothing and then do the will of God than to make an idle promise that would remain unfulfilled: Matthew 21:28–31 Peter was quick to say to Jesus: Matthew 26:35, Matthew 26:69–75
3. The Fulfilment of Promises Ecclesiastes 5:6, 5:2
Example: Ananias and Sapphira. The Preacher sums it up thus:
Ecclesiastes 5:7
SUMMING IT ALL UP: Prepare for worship—present your worship in a God ordered way—promises must be seriously considered—above all, stand in awe of God!
