Wisdom Books Ecclesiastes

God's Gift Of Sleep

Discover Jesus as: Eternal Ecclesiastes 5-6 Read on Bible Gateway (HCSB)

Day 481 of 730
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INTRO

We are continuing our study in the book of Ecclesiastes 5 today. Our word for Ecclesiastes is Eternal. Everyone is searching for eternity, which can only be found in Christ. Life itself is temporal.

TEACHING

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7: Wiersbe states that the key to verses 1–7 is, “Don’t rob the Lord.”1 Wiersbe explains when Solomon went to the temple, “He noted that many of [the worshipers] were not at all sincere in their worship, and they left the sacred precincts in worse spiritual condition than when they had entered.”2 That background explains Solomon’s advice in verse 1: “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God” (1 Samuel 15:22). From Proverbs, this describes a “heart condition.” Worship is out of obedience, not duty. Solomon also cautioned to be careful in prayers and make them sincere, not speaking them to gain attention (vv. 2–3). Don’t pray because you want to be heard with empty prayers that make you feel good. We should have a heart for prayer and the words should just flow from the heart (Psalm 141:1-2; Matthew 6:7, 12:34-37). Charles Spurgeon said, “It is not the length of our prayers, but the strength of our prayers that makes the difference.” In verse 4, Solomon stressed not to lie to God—do not make a vow to God and then not fulfill it. It is better not to vow at all than to give a vow and not honor it (v. 5). Do not let your mouth lead you into guilt by saying your vow was a mistake (v. 6). Stop talking in futility (v. 7).

Ecclesiastes 5:8–9: Wiersbe summarizes verses 8–9 as, “Don’t rob others.”3 The perspective has moved from the temple to city hall. Nelson’s Commentary says, “All people live by God’s grace in His provision for the earth.”4 If we see oppression and perversion of justice, we are to step in against it.

Ecclesiastes 5:10–20: Wiersbe describes this section as, “Don’t rob yourself.”5 Verse 10 emphasizes that the one who loves money will never feel like he has enough—he will never be satisfied (2 Chronicles 9:23–28; Ecclesiastes 1:8; 4:8). Solomon received 25 tons of gold each year as gifts from those who wanted to receive his wisdom. “Desire always outruns possessions, no matter how vast acquisitions may grow.”6 The abundance of wealth consumes a person, and he/she can’t even sleep (v. 11).

Why is sleep necessary?

  • Sleep allows us to rest our minds, so we awake rested in the morning (Exodus 34:2; Psalm 5:3; Isaiah 50:4).
  • God put Adam in a deep sleep (Genesis 2:21).
  • God rested (Genesis 2:2).
  • The Sabbath was for rest (Exodus 31:15; Leviticus 23:3).
  • Sleep is a gift from God (Psalm 4:8; Proverb 3:24).

CLOSING

The average American sleeps seven hours and thirty-six minutes per night. The average bedtime is 10:55 pm, and the average time to wake up is at 6:38 am. On weekends, the average American sleeps 40 minutes longer. Fifty to 70 million Americans have a sleep disorder. Forty-eight percent snore. Sixty-seven percent of Americans report less than good sleep, and 37.9 percent fall asleep during the day. Almost five percent have fallen asleep while driving. Thirty percent have insomnia, and 25 million suffer from sleep apnea.

Jesus slept (Matthew 8:24) because He trusted God. We can rest when we give our burdens to Christ (Matthew 11:28–30). Psalm 121:3–4 states God will never slumber or sleep. When we rest in Him, we are getting prepared for the Eternal.

  1. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2004), p. 502.

  2. Wiersbe, p. 502.

  3. Wiersbe, p. 504.ol

  4. Earl Radmacher, Ronald B. Allen, and H. Wayne House, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999) p. 786.

  5. Wiersbe, p. 504.

    Wiersbe, p. 504.

  6. Nelson’s Commentary, p. 786.

    Nelson’s Commentary, p. 786.

Questions

  1. Ecclesiastes 5:10 talks about the one who loves money. What does 1 Timothy 6:10 say about the love of money? How can a person get rid of the “root”?
  2. Read Ecclesiastes 5:13; Matthew 6:19–21; and Luke 12:13–21. How do Solomon’s words point someone to a better way? What about Jesus?
  3. How many other parallels can you find between Ecclesiastes 5 and Matthew 6?
  4. With everything Solomon owned, according to Ecclesiastes 6, how did he view it all? What might have been the cause of his viewpoint? (1 Kings 3:3; 11:1–6)
  5. What did the Holy Spirit highlight to you in Ecclesiastes 5—6 through the reading or the teaching?

Next: the Daily Word →

Daily Word

Laura Martin Ecclesiastes 5:10

“The one who loves money is never satisfied with money, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This too is futile.”

Solomon wisely said money never satisfies. You may earn more and more money, but it will never truly satisfy. Will you ever think you have enough? In this world, there will always be more to attain. But just when you attain that one thing, your eyes will be set on something new. Even money is futile and fleeting—here today and gone tomor- row. The Lord created your soul for eternity. The only 100-percent secure investment in life is giving yourself fully to the Lord. In Him, you have rest. In Him, you have peace. In His presence, there is joy. He meets your every need.

Money and wealth will never bring the satisfaction you search for. There may be times when you feel it is easier to trust in the security of money more than the ultimate security and promises found in the Lord. Do a heart check today and seek the Lord for true satisfaction.

“The one who loves money is never satisfied with money, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This too is futile.”

— Ecclesiastes 5:10

FURTHER SCRIPTURE

  • 2 Chronicles 9:23 — “All the kings of the world wanted an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart.”
  • Luke 12:15 — “He then told them, ‘Watch out and be on guard against all greed because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.’”
  • 1 Timothy 6:9–10 — “But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.”