Does Ecclesiastes 5:2 Mean We Can’t Be Honest in Our Prayers?
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Have you ever had a conversation with someone who won’t let you speak? They talk and talk, then talk some more, and when you share something, they’re so busy thinking about what they plan to say next that they’re barely listening to you?
It’s not much of a conversation. But if they slow down enough to think about what they’re saying, and pause long enough to truly hear your words in exchange, things are far different. Real dialogue happens. Listening and intentional discourse occurs.
It’s easy to imagine this situation between two people, but if we’re honest, it often happens between us and God, too. We pray, going on and on about our needs and desires and concerns and problems, and we often get so caught up in the expressing that we don’t pause to listen to the sometimes-still and sometimes-small voice of the Lord there between our breaths.
Or perhaps we get so caught up in our vision of God’s purpose for us, rather than thoughtfully examining what God might have in mind. We are quick to jump to conclusions, pinging from thought to action like a pinball machine gone haywire.
That’s much of what the writer of Ecclesiastes is referring to in his fifth chapter.
In Ecclesiastes 5:2, the author urges, “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”
What does Ecclesiastes 5:2 mean?
In short, it’s a plea to slow down, to turns our hearts and minds toward deeper intentionality and responsibility, and to think carefully and consider our words before we open our mouths, lest the consequences be dire.
What Does Ecclesiastes 5:2 Mean?
Ecclesiastes was written in Hebrew, which sometimes has multiple meaning for words, sometimes dependent on their context. The word for “quick” in Hebrew is bāhal, which means to hurry or be hasty, sometimes in a quick and terrifying way. The word for “mouth” is peh, which means not only mouth, but what comes from the mouth — specifically words, commands, testimony, expression, or pronouncements.
The writer essentially is saying don’t say unthoughtful, harsh, or wildly expressive things, but rather choose your words carefully and wisely. The phrase today of “word vomit” comes to mind — a person whose words spew violently from their lips without filter or control.
Next, the word “hasty” in Hebrew is māhar, meaning quickly, hurriedly, suddenly. The word “heart,” or lēb in Hebrew, isn’t just the organ in our chest that pumps blood through our bodies, but rather our soul. It’s the conscience, mind, courage, and understanding within us. Therefore he’s saying we shouldn’t come to quick, impetuous decisions, particularly moral ones that guide our thoughts and actions. Again, we are to slow down, be thoughtful and responsible, be wise.
Don’t just say whatever comes to mind, blathering on like a fool. Instead, stop and consider the fleeting thoughts and emotions circling throughout yourself first. Restrain yourself wisely, ponder these thoughts, and then speak, knowing we are mere humans, tiny in comparison to the awesome power and might of God. Who are we to blabber on like God is our equal?
God is our God, almighty and magnificent. We should exercise restraint, respect, awe, and fear when we talk with Him.
What Is the Context of Ecclesiastes 5?
Ecclesiastes contains reflections for the people of Israel on the topic of wisdom, ultimately pointing to God as being the most important element of all we do and experience. Many scholars believe the book was written by King Solomon around the 10th century B.C., but no one knows for certain. The author aligns himself with wisdom, claiming to be “the Teacher” or the qōhelet, meaning the leader of the assembly.
In the beginning of the 12-chapter Book of Ecclesiastes, the Teacher explains he’s had many experiences in life and has come to some important conclusions. For instance, he tried gaining much wisdom and knowledge, but realize it was futile, or “a chasing after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:16). Then he tried pleasures of the flesh and lots of hard work and lofty projects — also futile. He saw that everything ends up the same one way or the other, whether a person is rich and joyful or poor and oppressed. Only God knows why, and only God will “endure forever,” he says in Ecclesiastes 3:14.
Given all this, and the fleeting nature of our own lives, we should have much reverence for the Lord, which is the point of Ecclesiastes 5:2. Choose your words carefully and thoughtfully.
As the author continues in this chapter, a fool uses many words, and God doesn’t like fools. Just be simple and straightforward, he urges. Don’t say what you don’t mean, and don’t over-promise, lest you change your mind later and then God gets mad at you because you didn’t keep your word. Thoughtfulness is important.
Just enjoy life, don’t get too upset over anything, and find joy in your blessings.
Anything good we experience is “a gift of God,” he writes (Ecclesiastes 5:19).
What Does It Mean to Be "Hasty in Your Heart"?
This is why we should not be “hasty in our heart” — so we can with simple and pure motives embrace and appreciate all we have. Those who are headstrong and impetuous often experience wild mood swings and can let our feelings dictate our lives. Instead, when we slow down and take the time to consider life and the thoughts rolling around in our brains, we can allow time for those emotions to settle down and be still, appreciating God for all God is, was, and always will be.
Does This Mean We Can't Be Honest and Frank in Our Prayers with God?
This doesn’t mean that we can’t be honest and frank in our prayer with God. God knows our heart. But sometimes, we confuse our true heart and true soul-understanding with the often-fleeting emotions that can plague our human psyche. We might feel angry at first about something, only to realize later we’re actually sad, then even later decide we don’t care that much after all. But if we heed our emotions and say or act on the first thing that comes to us, we’re behaving in a rash and impetuous manner. Instead we should contemplate what we are feeling, analyze and assess it, meditate upon it, and then let our feelings settle down. Then, our minds can explore the truth of a matter.
For instance, say you are upset because someone offends you. At first you might feel rage. If you heed this emotion, you might think wrathful thoughts toward the person, perhaps even vow to seek revenge in some way or pray that God allows something bad to happen to that person. Then, when your feelings shift to sadness, you might express loneliness or despair and beg God to take your pain away, or you might say or do something to assuage the feelings of melancholy within. Later, when your feelings change once more, you might regret your earlier prayers — or your vows for vengeance.
But if we just breathe, and feel our feelings, and let our minds wrap around our thoughts until we have settled down more rationally and thoughtfully, it all goes better. We don’t say what we don’t mean, or act unwisely. We don’t offend God or get ourselves into trouble.
We are wise, not foolish.
It’s similar to what is expressed in James 1:19, that “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” or in Proverbs 21:23, that “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”
So the next time you find yourself roiling with emotion, pause and let your rational brain guide your heart and what comes out of your mouth. You will likely find the benefits far exceed what you can imagine.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Javier Zayas Photography
