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"A fool's voice is known by his many words"

Text: Ecclesiastes 5:3

SPEAKING OUT OF TURN

It is possible to be overly quiet. It is also possible to speak too much. The danger is in speaking out of turn in the form of making vows to God.

“For a dream comes through much activity,
And a fool’s voice is known by his many words.”
Ecclesiastes 5:3

1. “For a dream comes through much activity”

a) There are some who like to speak about their “dreams”.

i) They believe that their dreams come from God.

ii) Thus, they feel that they must somehow respond to these dreams.

iii) Some of the responses may appear as vows to God.

iv) These vows may or may not be kept.

b) But are dreams always from God?

i) Not all dreams are from God.

ii) Just because the Bible speaks of how God gave dreams, does not mean that every dream is from Him.

c) Solomon offers a different answer.

i) Dreams may come “through much activity”.

ii) The activities of the day can result in dreams at night.

iii) Dreams need not necessarily come from God.

iv) To make a vow based on such dreams would be very unwise.

2. “And a fool’s voice is known by his many words”

a) Solomon was somewhat critical of one who speaks “many words”.

b) The wise who are knowledgeable are usually careful about what they say.

c) They are sparing with their words (Cf. Proverbs 17:27).

d) A fool on the other hand speaks too many words.

i) The context here is one of making a vow.

ii) The fool may make a vow that he cannot keep.

iii) He endangers himself before the Lord when he utters words foolishly.