Ecclesiastes 5:1

"Guard your steps as you go to the house of God, and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil."

"Guard your steps" -to exercise great care over, "Never enter God's House carelessly" (Mof). The house of God in the time of Solomon was the Temple (1 Kings 3:1;. Chron. Ecclesiastes 8:16; Ecclesiastes 5:14). The house of God in the New Testament is the church (1 Timothy 3:15). The idea is, "be careful when you come and worship!" God still feels the same way about worship (see 1 Corinthians 11:28).

"draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools" -"be more ready to hear" (Rhm). Listening here involves the concept of paying attention and be prepared to obey (1 Samuel 15:22 "to obey is better than sacrifice"; James 1:19 "let everyone be quick to hear"; Ecclesiastes 1:22 "prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves".) "Whereas the prophets hurl their invective against the vicious and the hypocrites, this writer's target is the well-meaning person who likes. good sing and turns up cheerfully enough to church; but who listens with half an ear, and never quite gets round to what he has volunteered to do for God. Such. man has forgotten where and who he is; above all, who God is" (Kidner pp. 52-53).

"sacrifice of fools" -These are not necessarily the sacrifices of the overtly wicked (Prov. Ecclesiastes 21:27). For these people are unaware that they are doing evil. Points To Note: 1. But even ignorantly worshipping God improperly is sin! (Ecclesiastes 5:6) 2. The sacrifice of fools would include making pious but meaningless statements and treating lightly that which is holy (Matthew 7:21; Ecclesiastes 23:16;. Cor. Ecclesiastes 11:27). 3. "No amount of emphasis on grace can justify taking liberties with God, for the very concept of grace demands gratitude; and gratitude cannot be casual " (Kidner p. 53). 4. Our modern religious world is bent on pushing for casual and laid back worship services, "come as you are" is. popular slogan. But God says, "come, but come carefully, come but come reverently". 5. Instead of learning about God, some religious bodies want casual and relaxed classes where every view will be met with an attitude of acceptance. But God says, "come, and watch what you say, come and be prepared to obey what God says". 6. Unfortunately, in many circles entertainment has replaced true worship. Man says, "come and feel better about yourself", God says, "come, and be prepared to obey the will of God". Be prepared to discard sinful ways and attitudes, be prepared to get rid of prejudices and preconceived ideas, be prepared to be rebuked or admonished (2 Tim. Ecclesiastes 4:2).

"for they do not know they are doing evil" -Ignorance isn't an excuse. Many people in the denominational and religious world fit into the above category. They have never really studied for themselves what the Bible says and instead of pleasing God when they come for worship, they are actually rebelling against Him. "Here….the meaningless worship is unwitting; one's sin is that of. fool rather than. rogue, if that is any consolation!" (Kidner p. 53). Please note, ignorant, albeit sincere worship-is evil!

Point To Note:

A lesson needs to be learned from the pains that God took in the Old Testament to guard His earthly sanctuary, the tabernacle/temple. Those who entered, understood that death was. consequence for abusing or misusing those things associated with the worship of God (Lev. Ecclesiastes 10:1-3; Ecclesiastes 15:31). God made it very clear that He has no tolerance for people who tinker the rules which govern worship (Lev. Ecclesiastes 10:1-3; 2 Samuel 6:1ff;. Chron. Ecclesiastes 26:16-23). The same respect and purity is also demanded of Christians in the New Covenant (Heb. Ecclesiastes 10:19ff). Can you imagine Jesus trying to sell people on the gospel message by saying such things as "contemporary music,. light-hearted atmosphere, casual sermons, skits and plays, and, this isn't your parents church!"?