“I passed by the field of the sluggard and by the vineyard of the man lacking sense. And behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles; its surface was covered with nettles and its stone wall was broken down. When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and I received instruction. ‘A little sleep, a little slumber. A little folding of the hands to rest,’ then your poverty will come as a robber and your want like an armed man.”
I read this today and thought it was good word to share. This is an old wise word, very true, and so timeless. I love that the man speaking says that when he saw what the lack of work by the lazy man had produced, he reflected upon it- it says he looked and he received instruction.
Lately God has been speaking to me a lot concerning wisdom. My parents and my grandparents have told me for years that a great thing to read from each day is the book of proverbs listed in the Bible. The passage I pointed out above is one that I read this afternoon. Anyway, the man in the passage says that he learned from the reflection of another man’s calamity. It is not that he saw the trouble this guy had brought upon himself and chuckled or said, “I am so glad I’m not so stupid. . .”
He later says that the sluggard (lazy man; just think of the “slug”) thought he’d rest and follow that with a get-back to work, but what the bum didn’t realize is that the moment he thought that, he set himself up for poverty, and he wasn’t going to be satisfied again (“your poverty will come as a robber and your want [will come] like an armed man.”). I love the way of writing the author uses! But beyond that, I love the message we see in this simple clip from the book. (These verses are in the 24th chapter, starting at 30 and ended at 34.) The proverbs talk about “getting wisdom and understanding” constantly, and it’s a lesson we all need to “get” and be reminded of daily.
I may as well add another thing that I read and enjoyed immensely while I’m rambling a bit. It’s found a few verses before the one I pointed out before, and it reads, “Prepare your work outside and make it ready for yourself in the field; afterwards, then, build your house.” I’m sure that this verse can be translated and interpreted in a couple different ways, but the general message is constant and may be applied to several circumstances. When I read this I thought of myself growing up. I thought of how excited I am to get done with high school and get done with college and follow my dreams. I thought of my futuristic husband and family, too. I am called by God to children, and I would love so much to marry one day and have a husband and children of my own. My husband will be the leader of our home, and he will lead me as well as my children. Though it will be our home, and though he will be the head, this verse reminds me of the importance of wisdom and maturity throughout my life; I mustn’t wait for a spouse or old age or more responsibilities and “greater” responsibilities to practice wisdom, maturity, and self-control. While God prepares me and is my strength, I have to work with Him. I need to make sacrifices and discipline myself if I want Him to use me the way He intends. I am so excited to see what He does in my life and in the lives of those around me, and verses like these whisper in my heart and scream in my ears to pay attention. I would love to hear any thoughts you had while reading or after reading this! I would even love just to hear some of what God is doing in your life. I’ll listen if you’re open! Have a great evening!!
