The Diligent Woman or The Lazy Woman
Proverbs compares wisdom to a woman you should want to spend time with. “Lady Wisdom is contrasted to “Mistress Folly” in which the consequences are reaped in the fruit they produce. Living according to God’s wisdom will give you the “best life” possible and the foundation of Wisdom is the fear of the Lord.
When reading these descriptions you might come across a few or two that you might need to change. Don’t be so hard on yourself, thank God for the correction and pray to Him to change your heart! When I first learned about the description of the sluggard (a person who is lazy) in class my mouth blew open. I am guilty of MANY of them! BUT it’s okay, because I didn’t know I was doing wrong and I am open to correction. I believe in my heart that I want to be live like Jesus. I am a child of God. I welcome the idea of my heart being changed, and I am excited for you to be too!
- Proverbs 6:10, 11: “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man” ESV A lazy woman will make excuses for the reason something is not completed and she will not prioritize her responsibilities. Only then after much procrastination will she realize that the very things she has been putting off have now become urgent and will be rushed.
- Proverbs 10:4 “ A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich” ESV The Diligent woman is eager to provide for herself and/or family. She has a drive to want to have her own wealth. The lazy woman wants to have the “title” but not put in the work to earn “it”.
- Proverbs 10:5 “He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame” ESV The diligent woman does not procrastinate, but instead she uses her time wisely. She is a hard worker in her family. The lazy woman will end up not accomplishing things.
- Proverbs 10:26 “As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is a sluggard to those who send him” ESV The lazy woman is not a “choice” worker. She can be expected to do the “bare minimum” quality of work. The diligent woman takes pride in her work.
- Proverbs 12:11 “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense” ESV The lazy woman lacks a “good” sense of judgment. She is a woman that desires results but will not take action to achieve them. The diligent woman however will be able to “bear fruit” produced by the Holy Spirit from pursuing godly desires.
- Proverbs 12:24 “The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor” ESV The diligent woman can demonstrate leadership qualities while the lazy woman will always end up working under or for someone else.
- Proverbs 12:27 “Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth” ESV The diligent woman sees value in her belongings. She cherishes opportunities and will set goals. She would also make investments big or small and put care into them. The lazy woman is careless with the possessions she has. All things come from the Lord and glory should be given to Him whether good or bad.
- Proverbs 13:4 “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied” ESV The lazy woman will always see and want things. She will be full of dreams and desires but does not make the effort to obtain them as a diligent woman would do. The diligent woman will make goals and plans to work hard to achieve them.
- Proverbs 15:19 “The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway” ESV A lazy woman will always demand reasons on why she should be excused from responsibilities. She will always complain about obstacles preventing her to achieve goals and make no effort to change.
- Proverbs 18:9 “Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys” ESV The lazy woman destroys group effort. She does not contribute to team effort or slacks therein. The lazy woman will encourage others to also slack in participation. The diligent woman will respect team effort and play her part in achieving the common goal.
- Proverbs 19:15 “Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger” ESV The diligent woman has a sense of eagerness for completion while the lazy woman is simply not motivated.
- Proverbs 19:24 “The sluggard buries his hand into the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth” ESV The diligent woman will set a goal in her heart, and make plans to achieve it. She will honor and give glory to God. The lazy woman doesn’t have the mindset that God desires for her and usually has no drive to serve God.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you almighty God for the various authors who taught on Proverbs. Please help me as a woman to live as lady wisdom and resist mistress folly. I know that I am not perfect Lord and I ask for Your help to rely on scripture in times of trouble. Help me to be organized, diligent and productive without experiencing burn out.
In Your name I pray.
Amen.
Source: Dr. Stephen Bramer- Teaching on Proverbs ‘22