Proverbs 24:30-34
Commentary
In Proverbs 1:1 Solomon writes: The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
We know that the purpose of Proverbs is so we can know wisdom and receive instruction as to how we can live our lives wisely, walking in the fear of God .
In Proverbs 24:30-34 Solomon learns a lesson from what he sees as he is out walking and then teaches us about the effects of slothfulness.
One aspect of lack of self control, is laziness, what the King James Bible calls slothfulness. Proverbs give us many analogies for diligence or the lack of diligence, (slothfulness) and has a lot to say about the consequences of each side of the coin.
We too can see the effects of lack of diligence all around us in our modern world. We, like Solomon, can learn a good lesson on how important it is to be good stewards and to take care of our responsibilities in whatever sphere we find ourselves, not only in the physical things of life but in our spiritual obligations as well. We can learn from the graphic picture he presents from the physical world of husbandry, and compare the image in our minds of an unkempt and ruined vineyard with what spiritual laziness will do in our spiritual vineyards.
In the following verses in Proverbs 24 Solomon comments on what he saw as he happened by the field of a lazy man one day and used the situation as an illustration to write a proverb about it.
*Proverbs 24:30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
The slothful or lazy person makes this trait obvious on the basis of the shambles or disorder of his property. As Solomon walked by this man's vineyard, he observed the sorry state of his affairs and could discern some things about the owner's character. He knew just by viewing this vineyard that it was owned by a slothful person.
After seeing the condition of this field he concluded that the husbandman, or who ever was in charge of it, was void of understanding. Solomon seems to be thinking "doesn't he know and understand that he should be putting first things first and keep up the maintenance on something that is as valuable as a vineyard? If this man worked at his field, he could make it beautiful and productive and it would yield good fruit that could bring in some income to provide for his needs." He concluded that the owner was not only lazy but also "lacked understanding."
*Proverbs 24:31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles [a bramble or thorny weed] had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
The field was covered with thorns and weeds that were choking out any possibility for the vines to grow and produce grapes. And the fence that was supposed to be a hedge of protection, had broken down because of lack of maintenance. Any produce that did manage to break through the weeds, would be trodden under or eaten by wild animals. Clearly the vineyard was vulnerable to all kinds of invasion because of lack of proper management.
*Proverbs 24:32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
Solomon observed and then pondered upon the situation and received a lesson from it about laziness according to the effects that this vineyard clearly illustrated. He used this as an parable to teach a lesson about diligence and how the lack of it will bring us to ruin. We can learn by his example in this verse as to how to gain wisdom by observing and then meditating on the things we see.
We normally read books to teach us things; we try to get good advice from teachers on how to be wise; we learn how to behave properly from the good examples of wise people and be influenced by their lifestyles. But at other times, such as in this case, Solomon teaches us that we can observe (or watch) the evil ways of others and see what the consequences are that come as a result of their bad behavior and then learn wisdom by their example. He is teaching us about slothfulness by this proverb, but as shown in this verse, he is not only teaching us about laziness, but also that we can learn how to live our lives wisely; not just from being taught by good men, but from seeing the works of evil men and what the effects are that come as a result of their living contrary to God's ways.
*Proverbs 24:33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
It seems that the only concern the lazy person has is for a little more sleep, perhaps to sleep in, not wanting to put forth much effort but would rather rest than to work that much.
He puts things off, allows distractions and procrastination to take up his time and does not make his responsibilities or proper goals to be the top priorities in his life.
*Proverbs 24:34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth ; and thy want as an armed man.
After not caring enough to put in the time and effort to work at his field, this person will soon find himself in poverty; it will travelleth [come in, or come upon] and it will overtake him. It will seem like a robbery; the effects will be as when one has been robbed.
This is what lack of self-control and lack of diligence does to the things that are in our lives; just like being robbed at gunpoint, by an armed highwayman that will strip a person of all that he has. (But instead of an armed man stealing or destroying his possessions, he really did it to himself by not keeping on top of the things he should have been tending to.)
We are the managers of our lives, our homes, and our families, and we cannot afford to be lazy and just let things go: if we do, we risk losing control over our lives and everything will suffer for it and the people in our lives will suffer as well.
This is the lesson that presented itself to Solomon that day as he walked by the deteriorating vineyard and its condition inspired him to write this proverb.
The principle of slothfulness is the theme of many other proverbs that Solomon composed and he has wise things to say about diligent stewardship contrasted to laziness, with principles that fit right in along this same line of reasoning.
Proverbs 27:23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. 24 For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? 25 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered. 26 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. 27 And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.
Proverbs 10:4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat".
What is the spiritual analogy in this principle that we can learn on a spiritual plain?
At birth, we are each given our "field or vineyard" called our life. God gives us a body first of all to take care of, then we we are placed in a family. As we grow up and take on the care for our own lives, we may seek higher education to prepare for a vocation; we need to have a place to live; we seek a spouse and a family of our own; we need to work and take care of our homes, finances, cars, and all of our possessions.
Self-control and stewardship go hand in hand. We are to be diligent to take care of all that God has given to us, tending to all the details that will keep them from deteriorating, or becoming problematic .
It is the person who is willing to get up early, go to work, who takes his responsibilities seriously and applies himself to making sure that his priorities are in proper order; and in this way he is learning to rule. The person who can rule his own vineyard with diligence and self control, not allowing himself to indulge over much in pleasures, addictions, recreation, hobbies; will be able to rule a city, or maybe a country, and occupy a position of great responsibility, after proving to God that he can rule himself and his household well.
We all are given a physical life and we realize that some are more fortunate than others in this regard. People are given opportunities according to what kind of condition, family, health, or even country they are born into, which in turn provides different degrees of chances to even live a good life. In our modern day societies, many children are deprived of even the opportunity of being born and given a chance to live their lives. But God takes all of that into consideration and will judge each fairly according to what each has been given.
But for those of us who have been privileged in our lifetimes to be called out now to know God's will and purpose, we have an even greater responsibility to be diligent to take care of this special opportunity of being called by God and to make the most of it. We have been given the mandate to live our lives for God and to live it according to all of His ways. It behooves us to not neglect such a high calling and let it degenerate by becoming lazy in seeking God and neglecting our obligations to Him and by not wholeheartedly keeping His commandments with all our heart, mind, and strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5, Luke 10:27)
Just like the man or the husbandman who was responsible for the vineyard in this Proverb, we can become lazy by not attending to the spiritual work it takes to maintain a close and thriving relationship with God and thereby allowing thorns, nettles, cares of this world to choke out our relationship with Him.
If we let our stone fences go to ruin, thereby allowing the carnal things of the world to come into our lives and trample the gifts that God has provided us with, such as His truth, His laws, His Sabbath, His Holy Spirit, then our spiritual lives will become just like the field that Solomon describes.
Also, Solomon addresses the neglect of keeping up our strong walls of defense against the forces of darkness in another one of his Proverbs. He tells us that if we lack self-control we are as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls.
Consistent self-discipline will build up our spiritual defense system against the forces of evil. What a waste and a tragedy if we should ever let our precious calling slip from us, either from neglect, or from not keeping our hedge of protection strong and maintained in order to keep evil out.
Proverbs 25:28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
We are given seventy to eighty years in this physical life, some less and some more, and that's it. It's purpose is to experience life in this present evil world, and to make choices; and if we choose to live God's way, (if called by Him) we embark on His intense training program to learn as much as we can to prepare us for the time when the world will no longer be evil.
The wise man or woman will use their time that they have here on this earth wisely to acquire and to keep wisdom and to learn all the ways of God. We must strive with all of our might to become more and more like He is, and to have more and more of the mind that He has.
There is no time to be sleepy, or to sleep in, or waste our time pursuing things that don't really matter, or things that would cause us to drift away from our opportunity to become trained priests and kings for the future Kingdom.
Now is the time to keep examining our lives, checking the fence for holes or weak spots and repairing them, weeding out the thorns and nettles, seeding, cultivating, watering, fertilizing the soil of our lives so that our harvest will be bountiful and pleasing to God so that on that Day, He will be able to say to us "well done"!
Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
But He will say to those who did not put forth the effort to take care of things given to them:
Luke 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
We all want to be the good and faithful servant who received a commendation from God for being a good steward. The persons who received two, and five talents were diligent in investing them in spiritual growth, overcoming and applying the things they were learning in gaining even more talents.
But the person who was fearful and lazy about overcoming and seeking out the things of God and applying them to his live, lost out and lost even the one talent that he was originally given.
Matthew 25:4 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.2 1 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matthew 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
To be able to keep what we have been given, we must never stop growing and producing from what we have been given by God.
"From him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath;" the idea of taking something away from someone that "hath not" is hard for us to understand and seems contradictory until we understand the natural laws of decay and degeneration in the physical world; just like we see in the Proverb of the unkempt vineyard.
The "talents" or the spiritual gifts that are given to us are also subject to these natural laws in that if we do not tend and keep them properly, we will eventually lose them.
The man who put his talent in a napkin and did nothing with it, forfeited it at the owners return even though he tried to keep it safe by hiding it. He was too afraid to invest it in God's Kingdom or for growing to be able to be useful for working in the Kingdom. Therefore, God says to take the talent away from him.
The man's crime in this parable is simply his neglect and was told "thou wicked and slothful servant". He wasted his time, he wasted his life and he wasted the talent that had been given to him because he did not put it to use.
As members of the Ekklesia we can be guilty of neglecting the talent that God has given us. A person can sometimes see others who seem to be given so much, so to speak, so much more than his little amount and he can be tempted to think why try, or why put forth much effort, because the interest on the one talent would be so small that he can excuse himself with the idea that it is not worth while to do that much with what he has been given.
God does call the weak and the base so we may see ourselves as plain ordinary men and women sometimes, and it seems that what we may have to contribute is not that much, so why try so hard at working to grow it? Sometimes we are afraid to take the risk of stepping out and trying to put a gift or a skill to work for the benefit of God's work and in the edifying of the Ekklesia.
Yet this parable of the talents and Solomon's Proverbs teach us that no matter what we have been given, no matter what "hand we have been dealt in life" we can and must make the most of it and use what God has given to us to glorify Him. We must be always willing to use what God has given to us; our time, prayers, service, resources, and gifts to help in building and edifying His purpose in our lives, in the lives of others, in the Ekklesia and on into the lives of the rest of humanity.
If we have been faithful and good stewards of these things in this life, we will have been proven to be qualified as efficient and effective administrators in God's Kingdom.
What wonderful promises await us if we do not neglect this wonderful opportunity to live and work with Him forever (so great a salvation) that He extends to those He is calling at this present time.
Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
Our Time to Prepare is Getting Shorter
Every day now, we see the end of this present age rapidly approaching (Hebrews 10:25).
Jesus Christ, in His Olivet Prophecy as recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21, foretold several major trends that would increase and intensify before His return. We are seeing and experiencing an increase in these trends in our lifetime. The trends He emphasized were religious deception, wars, rumors of wars, famines, disease epidemics, earthquakes, betrayals and persecutions.
As stated earlier, the Bible says man has been given an average lifetime of about 70 or 80 years but as we clearly see the events and conditions that are happening in our world, we can sense that we do not have that many years to learn and grow in God's truth. With all the things that are falling into place, it appears that we may only have a few more years left before God ushers in His Kingdom. With this understanding, we are given even more of a sense of urgency to make the best of the time we do have.
We do need to put forth effort to keep up with our prayer, Bible Study, meditation, occasional fasting, seeking out and always proving all things and learning as much as we can. Our job is to stay as close to our Lord and Savior as we possibly can. Now is not the time to let up or to start getting sleepy.
1st Thessalonians 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
We know from the Ten Virgins Parable that most of the church goes to sleep toward the end time, but if we are diligently seeking God and keeping aware of current conditions, we can be awake and ready; just like the five virgins who were wise and who had prepared ahead of time to be sure that they had enough oil in their lamps. But the foolish had not taken the time or put forth the effort to fill their lamps while they still had time to do so. They ran out of oil just about the time the Bridegroom came.
Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
At the end of the parable Jesus' concluding warning is:
Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
And in Luke, Christ gives us a similar warning after describing the signs that would proceed His return, to watch and pray. It takes much diligence and self-control to stay awake, to remain watchful and to pray always.
Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
A prudent or wise person that is staying close to God and obeying His Word, can see these these things and will take steps to prepare himself.
Proverbs 27:12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
Laborers for God's Field
Matthew 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
In this verse, Jesus compares the world to a field. The world is currently in a state of rapid deterioration and is rapidly getting worse. Evil seems to be breaking forth more and more every day in all segments of society; with violence, perversion, wars, pollution, evil corrupt rulers, toxic poisons added to the water and food supply. We are coming to the time when, unless Jesus cuts time short, nothing will be able to survive and the earth will come to utter ruin.
Yet we do know that utter destruction is not going to happen, Jesus is going to return and set things right.
Matthew 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
After Jesus returns in great power, He will begin the process of restoration by ridding the world of all the thorns and nettles. He is going to clean up and heal this planet and all the people still living after the tribulation. Agriculture will become untainted and will flourish in a way we can hardly imagine in this pesticide ridden, hybridized, full of genetically-modified-organisms-world that we now live in. The people will need to be reeducated and taught how to worship the true God. The Temple will need to be rebuilt in Jerusalem and true worship restored. Everything will be rebuilt and will conform to God's divine way of doing things.
The world, God's field, will no longer be a vineyard in shambles but will become a beautiful flourishing garden of Eden again.
And yes, there is much work that will need to be done! God will need laborers to help in restoring and rebuilding; this time on the foundation of His holy perfect law and righteousness. His field (the earth) will be taken from the hands of inept, corrupt, and lazy husbandmen who allowed it to be spoiled and devastated; and it will be given to the children of God to rule under Jesus Christ who will be King over all.
The apostle Paul looked forward to this time and wrote about how all creation is waiting for this to happen.
Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
But also, we have much work right now at this current time and just ahead of us, for God also said the gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations.
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
To make that happen, Jesus commissioned His disciples (which includes everyone who becomes His followers right up to the end) to go forward and to work at preaching the gospel and teaching all nations everything that the disciples have been taught; all His laws and commandments.
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Jesus is a very hard worker and if we we are to walk as He walked, we will be hard at work for His Kingdom as well. And He is calling us to be laborers willing and able to do the hard work that is needed to do the work of preaching, warning and teaching; and to be busy efficient workers when its time to begin the restoration of the earth and the peoples to holiness and righteousness.
We are told by Jesus to pray that this work will get done and that He will raise up an army of laborers to help in the harvest. If we have the heart and willingness to do this work, it may be that God is answering this prayer through those He has called to be the people of God at this most critical endtime!
Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Nehimiah 4:6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
God has called us to build His Spiritual Temple as members of His Ekklesia in this era and it is a great and marvelous work that needs to be done.
1st Chronicles 29:1 Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and
the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the Lord God.
Even though most of us are separated at this time and far from each other, God has given us the tools to do His work.
Nehemiah 4:19 And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.
God's is busy preparing zealous, energetic, strong, laborers who will not be slothful; they will be self-controlled and they are being equipped to go forth to help Him in harvesting His fields.
We need to work hard to do our part in getting ready and to fill this need for more laborers, for He is coming and He will be here soon!
Constance
