The Field of the Slothful - Proverbs 24:30

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause; and deceive not with your lips. Say not, I will do so to him as he has done to me: I will render to the man according to his work”, and in chapter twenty-four and verse thirty of Proverbs Solomon said, “I went by the field of the slothful” where we read,

I went by the field of the slothful,

and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

The verse begins, “I went by the field of the slothful,” Solomon began with the words, “I went by the field” or “I, Solomon, passed, marched or traversed over the land or plain” “of the slothful” which means “belonging to the person who is lax, lazy, indolent and a sluggard”. Solomon shared how he passed the land or plain that belonged to a person who was lazy and indolent. 

The verse goes on to say, “and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;” Solomon continued with the words, “and by the vineyard” or “and over the garden of fruit or grape vines” “of the man” which means “belonging to the person whether male or female who is” “void of understanding” or “in need, lacking and in want of a soul, heart, mind and will that reflects, thinks, is resolute and determined”. Solomon said he also passed the garden of fruited vines that belonged to a person who is lacking and in want of reflection, thinking and determination.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon about a venture he took which drew him near to a plot of land that belonged to a lazy person, and he passed by the garden for grape or fruit vines which belonged to a person who was lacking in thinking and determination. We shall see what Solomon discovered in our next verse, but for now let it suffice us to realize we are not to be “slothful” or “void of understanding” in our industry. God created us, gave us life, breath and sustenance of life. He has given us abilities to function within His Kingdom, and because He loves us, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and remove all laziness and lack of “understanding”so we can effectively watch over and produce in the “fields” He has provided to us. 

Next time Solomon shares how the field, “was all grown over with thorns”, 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".