Thoughts on the topic of sluggards from the book of wisdom

Before we venture into this topic, let’s be clears on the meaning of the term. There may be some readers who are not familiar with the term “sluggard”. Personally, I love the word. Not the meaning, and especially not the application or reality of it in my own life, but the sound, the noise it makes as it rolls from the throat.

I got a thing for sounds!

To be a sluggard is to be a deadbeat, a couch potato, a loafer, a slouch, an idler, a good for nothing lazy bag of bones. To be a sluggard is to be a professional, highly motivated procrastinator, a shirker of responsibility and an avoider of tasks!

For our time in the proverbs, we will find there is much to be challenged by. A number of truths occur over and over in the passages we will consider. Truths that describe the sluggard as having nothing to show for his life, that he will go hungry, that he is a disappointment to others. He is a “victim” and that he is a great story teller.

Our last proverb study we found the sluggard as a great story teller. Today’s topic in relation to the sluggard is his love of the horizontal position.

Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.
Proverbs 6:7 Without having any chief, officer, or ruler,
Proverbs 6:8 he prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.
Proverbs 6:9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?
Proverbs 6:10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,
Proverbs 6:11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

We all need sleep. Some more than others! Personally, I am a fella that loves the horizontal position, that will easily be convinced of a quick nap, a short time on the hammock, a bit of relaxation. So when I read a passage such as this above, I identify with it in a bad way.

But it is a relative truth, and it seems to specifically address the one who stays in bed, who rejects the alarm clock. Solomon speaks of the sluggard lying there, and questions when he will arise. It is not the need of sleep that is being judged, but the refusal to rise, to get on with life.

Solomon speaks of the sluggard needing to consider the ant. No leader, chief, officer, or ruler. The ant is a fantastic example of a “self motivated” worker.

Let me tell you a quick story.

My wife came home from work last night and spoke of one of her workers receiving a promotion. First question out of my mouth was if it was a deserved promotion. “Oh yes” she said, “Frank (not his real name, cause I can’t remember it) was always finding things to take care of. Frank doesn’t need to be led about by the hand. He is a self starter”.

When asked about another co worker, she continued. “Not so with Tommy (again, not his real name, but this time to protect the sluggard) for Tommy constantly needs to be told what to do, when to do it, how to do it, why to do it…..”

Which of these fellas would you describe as a sluggard?

Ants

Solomon directed the sluggard to study the ant. A seemingly insignificant little insect. Yet the ant is known as an insect belonging to a society exhibiting categories of labor, maintaining communication with others, and that exhibits an amazing ability to solve complex problems as a group. A sluggard seems to fight against each of these characteristics.

A sluggard accept a category of labor? He would rather not take part!

Communicate with others? That may require team work. There is that “work” word again!

Solve complex problems? A sluggard will allow others to take care of that!

Ants are a fantastic example for the sluggard to study, and not only to study, but to learn from and to practice the methods of group life together.

Sluggards. Not an appealing description to fit into.

I s’pose I could get an alarm clock, and nail it to the wall 20′ away from the bed, with a loud alarm!

Or better yet, be a self motivated fella that once I awake, I plant my feet on the floor, gets up and gets at it! Ya, forget the alarm – just determine to have some internal motivation to be a servant for others, instead of a slave to myself.

---

Follow Considering the Bible on WordPress.com

Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion.