Who is the sluggard?
by Rod Jackson
All verses are quoted from the NASB anything in [square brackets] is added by me for clarity.
Is the sluggard one who is slow to speak?
Not according to this verse...
"This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;" James 1:19
Is Jesus a sluggard because He said He is returning soon and it's been around 2000 years?
Not according to -
"The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9
Was Jesus a sluggard because He delayed to go when He heard Lazarus was sick (John 11:6, 21, 32)? was Moses a sluggard because he delayed in coming down the mountain with the written 10 commandments (Exodus 32:1)? Who then is the sluggard? Let us see what the bible teaches -
"Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise, Which, having no chief, Officer or ruler, Prepares her food in the summer And gathers her provision in the harvest. How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? `A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest' - Your poverty will come in like a vagabond And your need like an armed man." Proverbs 6:6-11
The sluggard is one who is poor because he does no work, but sleeps too much.
"Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy one to those who send him." Proverbs 10:26
The sluggard is one who should not be sent out or they will be an annoyance to their sender.
"The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, But the soul of the diligent is made fat." Proverbs 13:4
The sluggard is one who dreams but does nothing about it.
"The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is a highway." Proverbs 15:19
The sluggard is too afraid to move down their path, the worries of life and the deceitfulness of wealth is on his path (cf. Matthew 13:22)
"The sluggard buries his hand in the dish, But will not even bring it back to his mouth." Proverbs 19:24
The sluggard is too lazy to feed himself.
"The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, So he begs during the harvest and has nothing." Proverbs 20:4
The sluggard has no harvest. (cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 & Matthew 9:37)
"The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work; All day long he is craving, While the righteous gives and does not hold back." Proverbs 21:25 & 26
The sluggard puts himself to death with his laziness.
"The sluggard says, `There is a lion outside; I will be killed in the streets!'" Proverbs 22:13
The sluggard makes up lies to avoid getting out of bed.
"I passed by the field of the sluggard And by the vineyard of the man lacking sense, And behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles; Its surface was covered with nettles, And its stone wall was broken down. When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction. `A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest,' Then your poverty will come as a robber And your want like an armed man." Proverbs 24:30-34
The sluggard sows no good seed and reaps no good harvest.
"The sluggard says, `There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square!' As the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can give a discreet answer." Proverbs 26:13-16
The sluggard lies so that he may sleep on his bed. The sluggard is too lazy to eat food. The sluggard is wiser in their own eyes than 7 men.
"Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him." Proverbs 26:12
Therefore there is more hope for a fool than a sluggard!
"The fool has said in his heart, `There is no God.' They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good." Psalm 14:1 (cf. Psalm 53:1)
The fool says there is no God and there is more hope for a fool than a sluggard...