Day 656: Excuses, excuses! - Proverbs 26 vs 13 - 19

13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!” 14-15 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth. 16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.

17  Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears. 18-19 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbour and says, “I am only joking!” Proverbs 26:13-19 English Standard Version

What would you say was the reason why the sluggard said 'There's a lion in the streets' ? (vs 13)

I'd say he was looking for any old excuse for his laziness, and to not have to take responsibility for anything. I suspect there were times in those days when a lion may have wandered into a small village, but it was probably very rare. The Hebrew word for sluggard meant ‘to be slack’ and ‘slothful’, someone who didn't like work. The writer gives two vivid pictures in vs 14-15 of what such a person is like. Even things like getting up and eating were just too much effort. But what was the worst condition of such people? (vs 16)

They were totally convinced that there was nothing wrong with their laziness. They would find excuses for not working and refused to listen to the common sense others were trying to show them. Do you think this sort of attitude still exists today?

I'd say it does. One sees it among the younger generation who are growing up in a world that thrives on entertainment provided through electronic gadgets. Hours and hours can be wasted while more important things are left undone. But we also see this attitude of finding excuses to not take responsibility in 'welfare states'. While there are certainly situations where people with severe limitations need help to get by, it's a system that can easily be exploited by sluggards. Many people who have no desire to do a day's work and refuse to accept personal responsibility will find excuses to claim welfare benefits.

Christians should never be sluggards. When the apostle Paul wrote to believers in Thessalonica he said: “Dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and who don’t follow the tradition they received from us. For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:6-8) Lazy people are a burden to others. Hard working people bring blessing.

Verses 17-19 could be a separate topic, but I think they actually follow quite well on what was said about sluggards. What sort of people are described in those verses?

It's the sort of person who butts into the affairs of others and, after they've made matters worse for everyone, say they were only joking and meant no harm. People who are lazy are likely to be critical of others. It's their way of defending their own sluggish way of living. The picture of grabbing a stray dog by the ears is quite appropriate. The dog is likely to turn on you. When idle people interfere in things that don't concern them they are likely to meet fierce opposition.

In Chapter 25 of Proverbs I suggested that many of its words describe things people may say or do that cause trouble, either for others or for themselves. I said that a helpful way of reading Proverbs is to note those things that are hurtful, and then seek to avoid being a person who does them. This is very true of laziness. On the contrary, Romans 12:9-13 puts it well when it says: “Don’t just pretend to love others – but really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection,  and take delight in honouring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.”