Ecclesiastes Series
Guard your steps as you go to the house of God, and approach to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know that they are doing evil. Ecclesiastes 5:1 NASB
People who go to NFL games often do much to prepare themselves: food for tailgating; team clothing; face painting; peculiar headgear. Money, energy, and time are dedicated to preparing for this sporting event. How do you prepare yourself for a much greater event? In Solomon’s day, the Jews went to the temple to offer a sacrifice. Some of them went thoughtlessly through the motions, offering “the sacrifice of fools.” To them, Solomon says, “Watch your step. You are doing evil.”
To present day church-goers, also, Solomon speaks: “Guard your steps as you go to the house of God.” In the “olden days,” church bells rang on Saturday night, reminding fathers to prepare their families for worship. They read the Bible to them and joined in prayers and hymns. The next morning they dressed in their “Sunday-go-to-meeting” clothes. All of this served as solemn preparation for Sunday worship. It helped them to “approach to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools.” Sadly, such customs have fallen into disuse. On Saturday, do you meditate on Sunday worship? Do you wear clothing that shows your respect?
How should we “guard our steps as we go to the house of God”? Solomon talks not about the outward things, but about the inward. “Approach to listen.” This means that as we are going to church, we need to ponder our reasons for going, namely, to hear, learn, reaffirm, praise, and pray. The Lord is always with us, but in the worship service He is there in a special way. This is where His called servants glorify Him by proclaiming His Word and we respond with prayer and praise.
Next Saturday, think about Sunday. If the bulletin is online, look at it. Study the readings. Examine the context of the sermon text. Pray for a proper frame of mind. Thank God that you have a faithful church to attend.
God is in His temple–
All within keep silence,
Prostrate lie with deepest rev’rence.
The Lutheran Hymnal 4:1