Proverbs 6:6-11
Proverbs 6:6-11
New King James Version (NKJV)
The Folly of Indolence
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard!
Consider her ways and be wise,
7 Which, having no captain,
Overseer or ruler,
8 Provides her supplies in the summer,
And gathers her food in the harvest.
9 How long will you slumber, O sluggard?
When will you rise from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to sleep—
11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,
And your need like an armed man.
My Thoughts:
- So let’s start with (v. 7) we read “Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler”
- Solomon was diligent student of nature (1 Kings 4:33). He saw the perfect order of the ants life and cooperation, without anyone to oversee him, he labored away diligently until his task was complete.
- So should we be at our work as Christians are God’s representative and we set the example for others.
- God provides for the needs of the ant as He does for all His creations (Ps. 145:15, 16) but just as the ant we most labor and build our strongholds as well.
- In (v. 10) we read “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep”
- Here we see a man lying in bed saying “I will get up in one more minute and get my work done” Notice the repetition of the in (v. 24:33).
- And we will finish today with (v.11) “So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man”
- Even with the help of friends and family there will be a day that poverty will arrive just as sure as the sun will rise that day will see him.
Thought of the Day
“Ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: … and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.” “Go to the ant; … consider her ways.” “Behold the birds.” “Consider the ravens.” (Job 12:7, 8; Proverbs 6:6; Matthew 6:26, R.V.; Luke 12:24). We are not merely to tell the child about these creatures of God. The animals themselves are to be his teachers. The ants teach lessons of patient industry, of perseverance in surmounting obstacles, of providence for the future. And the birds are teachers of the sweet lesson of trust. Our heavenly Father provides for them; but they must gather the food, they must build their nests and rear their young. Every moment they are exposed to enemies that seek to destroy them. Yet how cheerily they go about their work! how full of joy are their little songs!
How beautiful the psalmist’s description of God’s care for the creatures of the woods “The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies…Many are the lessons that may thus be learned. Self-reliance, from the tree that, growing alone on plain or mountainside, strikes down its roots deep into the earth, and in its rugged strength defies the tempest. The power of early influence, from the gnarled, shapeless trunk, bent as a sapling, to which no earthly power can afterward restore its lost symmetry. The secret of a holy life, from the water lily, that, on the bosom of some slimy pool, surrounded by weeds and rubbish, strikes down its channeled stem to the pure sands beneath, and, drawing thence its life, lifts up its fragrant blossoms to the light in spotless purity. – Ellen White
Personal Reflection and Discussion
- What do you think (v. 6) are saying?
- What other things do you see in the text?
Prayer Activities
- Call your Partner and discuss this devotional.
- Continue to have a prayer list and continue to praying for them.
- Pray with them and ask for the following;
- For God to give us the strength to labor as the ant does.
- For God to give us the understanding of the rewards of true labor.
- For the individuals on your pray list.
- Let’s use (Matt. 11:25) for today’s prayer verse.
About bobh6
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I am the worst at saying “Oh just one more minute” I used to set my clock like ten minutes fast so then when the alarm went off, I would say “I’m a few minutes fast. I can lay here a little longer.” I don’t do that any more but there are times when I would love to just go close the door, shut out the world and do nothing but sleep. We are all sluggards at times. Who doesn’t love a lazy afternoon, or a lazy day. The trick is to not do it often. Solomon talks about God’s creatures who work so very hard to survive. Just because we were created in God’s image doesn’t mean we shouldn’t work as hard if not harder for our survival. God did not create us to be lazy. Adam and Eve worked in the garden of Eden. Work is what keeps us healthy, physically and mentally.
After I retired for the Navy I thought I was set and was not going to work anymore, but as you said we are meant to work. I lasted for about 3 months and during that time gained weight and even my health got worse. So I agree without work we are just big paper weights. I like what 2 Thess. 3:10 says; for even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. A good rule to live by.
Work six days and rest one…one!? We’re used to thinking of two days off. Are we living in a lazy society? One day is all we need, but we like more. We have so many conviences,and so many entertainment. We love to sit and get entertained. It seems like before people worked hard from sunrise to sunset if they wanted entertainment someone or all would play insturments and/or dance. A relaxing evening was knitting, craving, reading or studing. Soon the s were turned off and they would rest for a good 10 hours. Most people are happy staying up late, watching tv, and getting 6-8 hours sleep. We’re worn out or restless from too much inactivity and too little sleep. I speak from experience. I was always restless at night from pushing my self to stay up watching tv or with lite cleaning. If I walked that night and kept went to bed at the first sign of sleepiness I would be better of. Really I had too much unused energy…and I wonder if that’s true for most of us.
Proof reading is usually done best before I comment…sorry. The “s” is supposed to read lights. kept disciplined and….I would be better off.
Life has changed, before we worked with our hands and built things; today we sit in offices and let others build for us.