The Bridge of Promises and the Weight of Words

Ecclesiastes 5:4 states, "When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed." The bridge in the artwork represents the commitments we make — the vows we take upon ourselves, whether spoken or unspoken. It is a reminder of the solemn responsibility we have to fulfill these vows, especially those made before God. The fiery tree at the end of the bridge symbolizes the passion and seriousness of such promises, glowing with the divine expectation of integrity.  

In Ecclesiastes 5:5, "Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay," the scene beneath the bridge — calm water that reflects the tree above — represents the consequences of unfulfilled promises. The reflection is distorted, illustrating the imbalance caused by words left empty and actions unfulfilled. The scripture reminds us that making a commitment without the intention or ability to follow through is worse than not making a vow at all. The art visually captures this duality — the bright, burning promises above and the uncertain reflections below.  

The art further brings to life Ecclesiastes 5:6: "Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?" The bridge symbolizes the path between word and deed, and the fallen leaves in the water represent the consequences of words spoken rashly. The verse warns against making false excuses or trying to retract commitments, likening it to bringing destruction upon one’s own efforts. The swirling light above represents the multitude of dreams and words that can mislead if not anchored in genuine intent.  

Finally, Ecclesiastes 5:7, "For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God," is reflected in the glowing, swirling clouds above the tree. The multitude of dreams and words represented by the vivid sky reminds us of the vanities and distractions that often lead people astray. The tree, however, stands tall and unwavering, symbolizing the fear and reverence of God as the grounding force amidst the swirl of dreams and promises. The bridge is the passage between these swirling vanities and the solid, divine truth that stands firm beyond them.  

In modern life, where commitments and promises are often made lightly or without deep consideration, Ecclesiastes 5:4-7 serves as a reminder of the weight and importance of keeping one's word. The artwork reflects this by showing a journey, a passage from the making of promises (the bridge) to their fulfillment (the glowing tree). The reflective waters below remind us of the potential consequences of breaking vows or making them without full intention.  

The scripture encourages mindfulness in the promises we make, particularly to ourselves and to God. It teaches the importance of integrity, urging us to reflect on our words before committing and to follow through with action once we have made a vow. The art captures the beauty of this journey, while also showing the dangers of falling into the trap of vain words or broken promises, urging viewers to walk the bridge of life with care and reverence for the commitments they make.  

In an age of constant communication, where words can lose their weight in a flood of noise, this passage and its visual representation remind us to take responsibility for our promises and to ensure that our words align with our actions. Fear and reverence for God, as symbolized by the glowing tree, is the grounding force that gives our words and promises meaning, leading us to a life of greater integrity and purpose.