Catching Z’s? – Proverbs in Practice
Who doesn’t like a little nap, former procrastinators? Or a good night’s sleep? Those are good. What concerns the writer of Proverbs 6:6-11?
This passage addresses a sluggard, not a hard-worker who is getting genuine rest after his labors.
“Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise.
Which having no captain, overseer, or ruler,
Provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.
How long will you slumber, O sluggard?
When will you rise from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep -So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,
And your need like an armed man.”
This indolent, lazy, slothful person chooses to stay in bed when he should be “up ‘n at ‘em.” This has become a habit for him; the writer doesn’t even know when he might expect the sleeper to get up because the sleeper apparently does what he wants without regard for his own needs or others’.
Do we choose bed when we don’t want to do a task? Really, who hops out of bed shouting, “I get to make four bag lunches before the bus comes!”? Nobody. But we do it.
The “folding of the hands to sleep” makes me think of the guy leaning against the barn instead of chopping wood. Rest from work results in refreshment for getting back to work. But you have to have something to break from – work you are doing that you can leave for a while.
Colleagues, committee members, family do not appreciate a slacker. They depend on us to do what’s needed so they can do their parts. If working independently, there are still people counting on us to pull through. The job we do -or don’t do – affects others.
The sluggard does not expect to pay a price for his neglect. He does not realize failure to do what needs doing when it needs doing will cost him.
The writer warns us: As you fold your hands to sleep, as you procrastinate, be aware that while you are not paying attention to what needs doing, “your poverty” will come on you. You will lack what you need. You will come up shorthanded.
This happens like a prowler who sneaks around and steals from you.
This happens like an unexpected armed man who accosts you. The sluggard is suddenly caught, hands in the air. He is subject to the armed man. He is not in control. He is without. And he is fearful.
If someone suspects he may have a prowler, he takes precautions. If someone anticipates being robbed, he takes a different route. This passage is a warning to us. We must pay attention and do in a timely manner the things we should. Then we will have what we need. No fear of prowlers or armed men who leave us wanting.
When did you put something off and come up lacking?
