The Field of the Slothful … by Justin Mears

Jul 22nd, 2020 The Field of the Slothful … by Justin Mears

Today’s Passage – Proverbs 22 – 24 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Mark 15 – 16; Psalms 106 – 110)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Isaiah 51:11

Read the “0722 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:” (Proverbs 24:30-33)

This is the story of a man who has a field and is slothful, and also a man who has a vineyard and is void of understanding. The slothful man is too lazy to go out and work the field, while the man void of understanding is just ignorant of danger and without discernment. Either way the men described do not take there duties seriously enough to work and think hard. These men will go on with there lives blissfully lacking and never acknowledging the failure until it is too late. Once they are without and in poverty it will be too late, they will be eating of the “fruit of their labor.” They will never get that time back.

“So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.” (Proverbs 24:34)

I see this field and vineyard as the life God has given. Just as a man must work his field by breaking up the soil, planting seeds, pulling thorns, giving nutrition, and building a wall to protect it from animals that would want to devour it. You must have wisdom, work hard, have good timing, and fervently pray.

“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. … The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.” (Proverbs 22:3, 13)

A man void of understanding doesn’t make the right moves because he doesn’t have the eyes of wisdom, while the slothful man makes excuses and he really believes he has an impossible feat before him. The slothful man says it can’t be done so they feel better about their laziness. How are we doing managing the field God has given us? Are we taking our duties in life seriously, working hard at home with our families? Training our children and loving our spouses? Or does our life look like the these men’s fields? Read it again

“And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.” (Proverbs 24:31)

In conclusion God wants to use us for his glory and exalt himself through us. This can only be done if we keep our fields.

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” (Proverbs 22:1)