“Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.” -Ecclesiastes 5:1
This interesting scripture illustrates that there is a way to worship God foolishly. This Old Testament scenario, with literal sacrifices at the Temple, might cause it to be dismissed by some. However, as is so often the case, the moral that is being illustrated is not only relevant but reiterated multiple times in the New Testament.
The scene it sets up for us is also interesting on its own. It shows man’s desire to “have it both ways,” so to speak. The law given to Moses required specific sacrifices for certain transgressions or sins. In addition to outlining what God considers ethical behavior, it was a civil structure for a literal nation. This is where much of the confusion arises about it being “done away” or “nailed to the cross.”
Things like a bullock or two turtle doves (which really makes you wonder about the second day of x-mas) were some stipulated sacrifices, depending on what had been done. Leviticus 5, for instance, deals with swearing, unclean animals and the uncleanness of man. For these, after confessing your guilt, you could bring a lamb or a kid, unless you were poor in which case two turtle doves or young pigeons would suffice. This is what God required. Enter the cynical human…
Old Loophole Joe likes pork and swearing, too. He doesn’t always indulge in it, but when he does he knows what to do. He breeds goats and pigeons. A quick trip to the Priest and he’s back in the clear, works every time. He gets what he wants and propitiates God as well. No one gets hurt right? Wrong.
While he did comply with the letter of the law, the real essence of the matter was completely overlooked. Like Adam and Eve, deceived by the lie, “You shall not surely die,” the penalty for sin is not always instantaneous or spectacular. The law is intended to protect us, to safeguard our mental and physical well being. While Loophole Joe was meant to be ridiculous it illustrates the absurd way in which many approach religion.
There is a prevailing notion in Christianity that “all you have to do to be saved is believe on Jesus” or “give your heart to the Lord.” This “just as I am” mentality is not totally false. You can be forgiven just as you are, right now. The acceptance of Jesus Christ is the first step, followed by repentance, baptism and conversion. To convert is to change. Christ has empathy. He understands your temptations, but He doesn’t want you to continue in your bad habits. He wants to help you overcome them.
We are called out of the world with its problems and degradation. Paul wrote, “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.” (1 Corinthians 5:11) This is talking about people inside the congregation.
All of these sins are dealt with in the Old Testament. They are to be repented of, not continued in. Paul is calling them out for thinking that because forgiveness has been established they can continually, willfully sin and be forgiven. Rinse and repeat. This is the sacrifice of fools.
Solomon’s admonishment from Ecclesiastes included, “Be more ready to hear.” The goal is to learn and understand what to avoid and why to avoid it. The dismissive attitude towards, or neglect of, the Old Testament poses a huge problem for those who rely solely on the New, whether they realize it or not.
It gives the impression that God is arbitrary; that He creates rigid statutes just to make you jump through hoops. They would make it seem He bound salvation up in so much red tape no one could possibly receive it. Then, as if hades were overcrowded, it’s suddenly so easy you pretty much just say “open sesame” at the pearly gates.
The thief that was crucified next to Jesus is sometimes used to support this idea (Luke 23). Wasn’t salvation as simple as acceptance? Almost, though he did repent, admit his own guilt, acknowledge God’s supremacy and Jesus as the Christ. (Verse 40-43) He also died a horrible death for his crimes that he called, “the due reward of our deeds.” What if he had continued living? Would he have been able to continue in a life of crime? Of course not.
Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:28, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give him that needeth.” The whole chapter is an exhortation to live a Godly, upright life unlike the one you were called out of. A fundamental change in your mode of existence.
He says to “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” That you, “put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” The old sinful you and the new converted you are not compatible. Only a fool would think otherwise. The things Paul lists sound kind of familiar, too, don’t they? God’s supremacy, not lying, not stealing, not coveting…
Matthew Chapter 7 has many similar admonitions from Christ Himself. He says that “strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Human nature is not easily overcome. It can only be subdued with God’s Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ, and firm, steadfast commitment. He also says, “not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven.”
Though tempted and occasionally falling short, we must continually press towards the goal of salvation. We can’t earn it, but we can certainly lose it. Many of the patriarchs the Bible says were “perfect” like Noah, Abraham, Asa, or Hezekiah struggled with the same problems we do. David was inspired to write, “God is my strength and power: He maketh my way perfect.” God can do the same for us. He can help us up when we stumble and lead us along the path of righteousness.
Avoid making the sacrifice of fools, learn from mistakes. Stay close to God through study and prayer. Sincerely desire to be better and admit when you are not. Ask God for help, trust in Jesus Christ, “for in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18). The state of delusion and disagreement the world is in now will not last forever. When the time comes it will be all or nothing. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).
