When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. When you make a vow to GodThe act of making a vow in the biblical context is a solemn promise or commitment made to God. The Hebrew word for vow, "נֶדֶר" (neder), signifies a binding promise that is not to be taken lightly. In ancient Israel, vows were often made during times of distress or as acts of devotion. The seriousness of a vow is underscored by its direct address to God, indicating a personal and sacred commitment. This phrase reminds believers of the importance of integrity and sincerity in their relationship with God, emphasizing that vows are not mere words but sacred commitments. do not delay in fulfilling it
The instruction to not delay highlights the urgency and priority that should be given to fulfilling vows. The Hebrew root "אַחַר" (achar) implies postponement or procrastination. In the cultural and historical context of the Bible, delaying a vow could be seen as a sign of disrespect or lack of seriousness. This phrase serves as a caution against complacency and encourages prompt action, reflecting a heart that honors God by keeping promises without hesitation. because He takes no pleasure in fools
The term "fools" here is derived from the Hebrew word "כְּסִיל" (kesil), which often refers to someone who is morally deficient or lacking in wisdom. In the biblical sense, a fool is not merely someone who lacks intelligence, but rather someone who disregards God's commands and wisdom. The phrase underscores God's disdain for those who make vows thoughtlessly or fail to honor their commitments. It serves as a warning that God values sincerity and wisdom, and that foolishness in spiritual matters is displeasing to Him. Fulfill your vow
This imperative to fulfill one's vow is a call to action and integrity. The Hebrew verb "שָׁלֵם" (shalem) means to complete or make whole, indicating that a vow is not complete until it is fulfilled. In the scriptural context, fulfilling a vow is an act of worship and obedience, reflecting a heart aligned with God's will. This phrase encourages believers to be people of their word, demonstrating faithfulness and reliability in their commitments to God. It serves as a reminder that our actions should match our words, and that fulfilling our promises is a testament to our faith and devotion. Persons / Places / Events 1. GodThe central figure to whom vows are made. The verse emphasizes His expectation for faithfulness and integrity in fulfilling promises made to Him. 2. The Preacher (Qoheleth)Traditionally understood to be Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, who shares wisdom on the importance of keeping vows to God. 3. FoolsThose who make vows but do not fulfill them, demonstrating a lack of reverence and seriousness in their relationship with God. Teaching Points The Seriousness of VowsMaking a vow to God is a serious commitment that should not be taken lightly. It reflects our integrity and reverence for God. Timeliness in FulfillmentDelaying the fulfillment of a vow can indicate a lack of seriousness or respect for God. Promptness in keeping promises is a sign of faithfulness. God's Perspective on FoolsGod takes no pleasure in those who make vows without the intention or effort to fulfill them. This calls for self-examination of our intentions and actions. Integrity in Speech and ActionsOur words and commitments should reflect our integrity. As believers, we are called to be people of our word, both in our vows to God and in our interactions with others. Practical FaithfulnessFulfilling vows is a practical expression of our faith and trust in God. It demonstrates our commitment to living out our beliefs in tangible ways. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some examples of vows or commitments you have made to God, and how have you worked to fulfill them? 2. How does understanding the seriousness of vows in the Old Testament context influence your view of commitments today? 3. In what ways can delaying the fulfillment of a vow impact your relationship with God and others? 4. How do the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5:33-37 and James 5:12 reinforce the message of Ecclesiastes 5:4? 5. What practical steps can you take to ensure that you are a person of integrity in both your speech and actions, especially in fulfilling commitments to God? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 23:21-23This passage also emphasizes the importance of fulfilling vows made to God, highlighting the seriousness of making promises to the Lord. Matthew 5:33-37Jesus teaches about the integrity of speech and the importance of being truthful, which aligns with the principle of fulfilling vows. James 5:12James advises believers to let their "yes" be yes and their "no" be no, reinforcing the idea of honesty and integrity in commitments. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Complete, Defer, Delay, Delight, Effect, Foolish, Fools, Fulfill, Fulfilling, Hast, Late, Oath, Pay, Paying, Pleasure, Quickly, Takes, Vow, Vowed, VowestDictionary of Bible Themes Ecclesiastes 5:4 4926 delay, human
5977 waiting
8251 faithfulness, to God
8460 pleasing God
8711 covenant breakers
8760 fools, characteristics Ecclesiastes 5:1-4 8757 folly, effects of Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 5468 promises, human Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 5741 vows Library Naked or Clothed?
'As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.'--ECCLES. v. 15. '... Their works do follow them.'--REV. xiv. 13. It is to be observed that these two sharply contrasted texts do not refer to the same persons. The former is spoken of a rich worldling, the latter of 'the dead who die in the Lord.' The unrelieved gloom of the one is as a dark background against which the triumphant assurance of …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureLessons for Worship and for Work
'Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. 2. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few. 3. For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words. 4. When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for He hath …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Things to be Meditated on as Thou Goest to the Church.
1. That thou art going to the court of the Lord, and to speak with the great God by prayer; and to hear his majesty speak unto thee by his word; and to receive his blessing on thy soul, and thy honest labour, in the six days past. 2. Say with thyself by the way--"As the hart brayeth for the rivers of water, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, even for the living God: When shall I come and appear before the presence of God? For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Literature.
i. editions of chrysostom's works. S. Joannis Chrysostomi, archiepiscopi Constantinopolitani, Opera omnia quæ exstant vel quæ ejus nomine circumferuntur, ad mss. codices Gallicos, Vaticanos, Anglicos, Germanicosque castigata, etc. Opera et studio D.Bernardi de Montfaucon, monachi ordinis S. Benedicti e congregatione S. Mauri, opem ferentibus aliis ex codem sodalitio, monachis. Greek and Latin, Paris, 1718-'38, in 13 vols., fol. This is the best edition, and the result of about twenty …
St. Chrysostom—On the Priesthood Ninth Day for God's Spirit on Our Mission Work
WHAT TO PRAY.--For God's Spirit on our Mission Work "The evangelisation of the world depends first of all upon a revival of prayer. Deeper than the need for men--ay, deep down at the bottom of our spiritless life, is the need for the forgotten secret of prevailing, world-wide prayer." "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate Me Barnabas and Saul. Then when they had fasted and prayed, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed."--ACTS …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession Thoughts Upon Worldly-Riches. Sect. Ii.
TIMOTHY after his Conversion to the Christian Faith, being found to be a Man of great Parts, Learning, and Piety, and so every way qualified for the work of the Ministry, St. Paul who had planted a Church at Ephesus the Metropolis or chief City of all Asia, left him to dress and propagate it, after his departure from it, giving him Power to ordain Elders or Priests, and to visit and exercise Jurisdiction over them, to see they did not teach false Doctrines, 1 Tim. i. 3. That they be unblameable in …
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life There is a Blessedness in Reversion
Blessed are the poor in spirit. Matthew 5:3 Having done with the occasion, I come now to the sermon itself. Blessed are the poor in spirit'. Christ does not begin his Sermon on the Mount as the Law was delivered on the mount, with commands and threatenings, the trumpet sounding, the fire flaming, the earth quaking, and the hearts of the Israelites too for fear; but our Saviour (whose lips dropped as the honeycomb') begins with promises and blessings. So sweet and ravishing was the doctrine of this …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Ecclesiastes
It is not surprising that the book of Ecclesiastes had a struggle to maintain its place in the canon, and it was probably only its reputed Solomonic authorship and the last two verses of the book that permanently secured its position at the synod of Jamnia in 90 A.D. The Jewish scholars of the first century A.D. were struck by the manner in which it contradicted itself: e.g., "I praised the dead more than the living," iv. 2, "A living dog is better than a dead lion," ix. 4; but they were still more …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ecclesiastes 5:4 NIVEcclesiastes 5:4 NLTEcclesiastes 5:4 ESVEcclesiastes 5:4 NASBEcclesiastes 5:4 KJV
Ecclesiastes 5:4 Commentaries
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