Gathering or Sleeping in Summer - Proverbs 10:5

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “he becomes poor that deals with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent makes rich”, and in chapter ten and verse five of Proverbs Solomon said, “he that gathers in summer is a wise son” where we read,

He that gathers in summer is a wise son: but he that sleeps in harvest is a son that causes shame.

The verse begins, “He that gathers in summer is a wise son:” Solomon began with the words, “he that gathers in summer” or “he, the male human being, who collects and harvests within the summer fruit season” “is a wise son” which means “exists as a skilled, shrewd and prudent male offspring or progeny”. Solomon shared how a male offspring who harvests during the summer fruit time exists as a skilled and prudent person.

The verse goes on to say, “but he that sleeps in harvest is a son that causes shame.” Solomon continued with the words, “but he that sleeps in harvest” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the male human being who is stunned, stupefied and cast into a deep sleep or slumber” “is a son” which means “exists as a male progeny or offspring” “that causes shame” or “who produces disconcertedness and disappointment”. Solomon said the male offspring who slumbers and is cast into a deep sleep produces disappointment in his life and to his parents.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover through Solomon how there is a vast difference between a person who works in the harvest time and the one who is lazy. Harvesting when the fruit is bearing is essential not only for the gathering of the produce, but also for the future months when food is not produced. God wants us to be diligent workers and not to be slumbering and lazy. He knows people have a tendency to resist working or to slumber while others are gathering, but this causes us and those who care for us to endure disappointment. God loves us, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins to prove it. When we surrender our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the motivation and inspiration to work in His Kingdom in a diligent manner especially when the harvest time has come. Let us give Him honor, praise and glory for all He has done for us and for the opportunity to be workers and laborers in His field. (See Mark 9:37; Luke 10:2)

Next time Solomon says, “blessings are upon the head of the just”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".