An Elder Speaks

Let Thou Words Be Few (Ecclesiastes 5:2)
Lindsey Baker, Jr.
January 25, 2004

Be not rash with thy mouth and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God.  For God is in heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few. (Ecclesiastes 5:2)

In response to God’s request to lead his people our of bondage, Moses described himself as “...not eloquent, neither heretofore,  nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant; but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.”

It is also interesting to read the words of the Lord as he answered Moses in Exodus 4:11:

“And the Lord said  unto him, or who hath made man’s  mouth? Or who maketh the dumb or deaf or the seeing or the blind? Have not I the Lord.”

It should be noted that our Lord chose Moses to lead his people out of bondage in spite of the way Moses saw himself.  This is a lesson to the called out in that we are of a few words and can become great leaders and workers in his kingdom.

When considering those who have been purchased with the precious blood of Christ, it is worth noting that our mouths are also owned by Christ.  The saints are told in James 1:19 to be :… swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.”

The Jews in Ecclesiastes 5:12 were told to be ready to hear the word lf God and not to hasten or be quick to speak.  They should weigh God’s word deeply, think a great deal, and to speak a little.   In Matthew 5:7, Jesus said that his people should not use vain repetition, as the heathen do because they think that they should be heard for their speaking.

We have two eyes and two ears, which means we should hear and see twice as much as we say.

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