Hebrew Wisdom On Diligence And Laziness
Essay Question 3
Describe the teachings of Hebrew wisdom on diligence and laziness. How does this correspond with the contrast between wisdom and folly? Include Scripture references and quotations as appropriate.
Essay Question 3
In a human’s life, it takes a great amount of wisdom and diligence to become successful. Thus, those who are lazy and foolish will have little chance of climbing to the top. Subsequently, one cannot help but wonder what is the difference between diligence and laziness, as well as between wisdom and folly, and the book of Proverbs is one that offers explanations to such a question.
First, it is important that people comprehend the difference between diligence and laziness as stated in Proverbs. While being diligent means being prepared, and on top of things, a lazy person is one who often put off work that can be done today until tomorrow. In Proverbs, these two characteristics are often mentioned. Proverbs 6:6-11 comments that:
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man (NIV).
The book describes a lazy person as a “sluggard” who stays in one place. Moreover, a sluggard has to be made to get out of bed to be of any productivity. Unlike the ant that is productive and diligent, a sluggard will not gain anything.
Next, the relationship between wisdom and folly must also be taken into account. Wisdom is the definition of being wise in life. In The Essence of the Old Testament, Ed Hindson and Gary Yates praise wisdom in every ways (265). Opposite of wisdom is folly, which is a character of someone who understands what is best for him or her but chooses the foolish route.
Describe the teachings of Hebrew wisdom on diligence and laziness. How does this correspond with the contrast between wisdom and folly? Include Scripture references and quotations as appropriate.
Essay Question 3
In a human’s life, it takes a great amount of wisdom and diligence to become successful. Thus, those who are lazy and foolish will have little chance of climbing to the top. Subsequently, one cannot help but wonder what is the difference between diligence and laziness, as well as between wisdom and folly, and the book of Proverbs is one that offers explanations to such a question.
First, it is important that people comprehend the difference between diligence and laziness as stated in Proverbs. While being diligent means being prepared, and on top of things, a lazy person is one who often put off work that can be done today until tomorrow. In Proverbs, these two characteristics are often mentioned. Proverbs 6:6-11 comments that:
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man (NIV).
The book describes a lazy person as a “sluggard” who stays in one place. Moreover, a sluggard has to be made to get out of bed to be of any productivity. Unlike the ant that is productive and diligent, a sluggard will not gain anything.
Next, the relationship between wisdom and folly must also be taken into account. Wisdom is the definition of being wise in life. In The Essence of the Old Testament, Ed Hindson and Gary Yates praise wisdom in every ways (265). Opposite of wisdom is folly, which is a character of someone who understands what is best for him or her but chooses the foolish route.