...Throughout the poetic books of the Bible, the theme of diligence versus laziness and wisdom versus folly appears. Oddly enough, diligence, laziness, wisdom, and folly go together hand in hand. As Hindson says, “The diligent person is wise while the sluggard is a fool…” (Hindson 2012, 263). Another comparison The Essence of the Old Testament: A Survey makes between wisdom and folly is righteousness and wickedness. From the book of Genesis to the book of Revelation, we see that characters possess, at one time or another, all of these traits. For example, in Genesis, the first man and woman turned their righteousness into wickedness by eating the forbidden fruit. Since then, no one but Jesus has been a stranger to sin. Diligence is when a person makes an effort to accomplish something. Laziness is the opposite of this. In the book of Proverbs, we see several statements comparing diligence and laziness. “Lazy behavior results in poverty while diligence results in wealth” (Hindson 2012, 266). Throughout history, from Biblical times to modern times, people have shown diligence in working for what they want out of life. Many of the Hebrew people were diligent in both their work and worship. As with any group of people, however, some of the Hebrews struggled with the idea that you should draw strength from God, instead of getting angry at Him when things aren’t going the way you’d hoped. Job lost everything, but he praised God and in the end, God doubly blessed him. “The Lord...
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...Essay 3 - Hebrew Wisdom Micheal Coffin October 4, 2015 1 Introduction In this essay, we will discuss the Hebrew wisdom on “wisdom and folly”, also looking at the contrast between “diligence and laziness”. These terms appear frequently in the Old Testament. However, we will concentrate on their use and meaning in the Poetic Books. 1. Background Solomon is considered to be the man who founded the wisdom movement (1 Kings 4:2934). The purpose of the wisdom movement was initially a practical one: to educate the nobility for cultural and political leadership. The main concern of teachers was to inform and discipline the mind and life at an early age. 1 In Israel, however, the practical purpose of the movement was increasingly matched by a concern to say in human terms what the ultimate meaning of man’s life is. In modern terms, from being a movement concerned with practical ethics it becomes a movement increasingly concerned with religious and theological issues. It should be noted that in this respect, Israel’s wisdom movement developed much further than that of Egypt or of other Near Eastern cultures. 2 1. J. Coert Rylaarsdam, Layman's Bible Commentary: Vol. 10 - Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon (Richmond, VA: John Knox Press, 1971), 9. 2. Ibid, 10. 2 2. Wisdom and Folly In 1 Kings 4:34, we see one of the blessings God gave to Solomon to show His pleasure; “Men came from all peoples to hear the Wisdom of Solomon, from all the kings...
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... Whether an individual is a follower of Christ or an Atheist, the knowledge and wisdom of the Bible can be applied to his or her struggles and successes. In the Scriptures we can find unadorned distinctions between wisdom and folly and how they relate to an individual’s personal relationship with the Lord. Proverbs tells us that the wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, but the foolishness of the fools is deceit (Proverbs 14:8). There are several stories that illustrate the benefits of seeking out the Lord with diligence and wholeheartedness, Job is a good example. In regards to one’s work ethic, the Bible tells us “that poor is the one who works with a negligent hand, but the hand of the diligent is rich” (Proverbs 10:4). Hebrew wisdom also details the end result of idleness and senselessness. The author in Proverbs states that “the soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is made fat” (Proverbs 13:4). Nevertheless, one should not equate wisdom and diligence to earthly riches, for fear and persistence in searching God are the only riches that shall endure. It is a common saying that if you work hard you can achieve success. Diligence in one’s work habits can reap great rewards. Laziness, on the other hand, can lead to financial despondency. The book of Proverbs is full of Scripture on diligence and laziness. Proverbs uses several forms of parallelism to “express the idea that lifestyle choices have consequences...
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...The Hebrew books of Poetry are guides for living our daily lives. In the book of Proverbs, it is a consistent guide of wisdom for practical living. Also, this book teaches people how to attain wisdom and discipline, how to do what is right, and what is just and fair (Tyndale, NIV, 2012). This essay will display the wisdom of the teachings on diligence and laziness of the Hebrew people, and correspond with the contrast between wisdom and folly. The word proverb comes from a Hebrew word that means to rule or governor, and these sayings, reminders, and admonitions provide profound for governing our life, (Tyndale, NIV, 2012). God wants his creations to make an importance contribution to the work place and communities. These passages were for the ancient audience and for us today. God’s work is diligent and he is our example of how we should work (Genesis 1:1-27; 2:2 NLT). God’s creative work reveals his character. Sleeping does not require energy, an example of a sluggard person, and this kind of laziness is the result of poverty (Proverbs 6: 9-10). We should be diligent workers without a guide, overseer, or ruler and consider the ways of the ants and be wise (Proverbs 6: 6-7 NLT). The application of mind that is required in order to learn of this master is to consider His ways. The sluggard is so because he does not consider; nor shall they ever learn to any purpose, either by the word or the works of God, unless we set ourselves to consider His ways. Particularly, if we would...
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...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 the difference between diligence and laziness is, 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 having...
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...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. I. A Summary of what Hebrew Wisdom Teaches about Diligence and Laziness. The dictionary defines diligence as “careful and persistent work or effort” and laziness as “the quality of being unwilling to work or use energy”. By these definitions we can see that diligence and laziness are the exact opposite of each other. “The eagerly sought after trait of diligence is often addressed within the book of Proverbs. Laziness – diligence’s lethargic antonym – is likewise frequently mentioned due to the severity of its consequences. Solomon illustrated both diligence and laziness in a unique way that emphasized key concepts such as personal discipline, integrity, and wisdom.” (Heart of the Wolph, 2014) Throughout all the proverbs we learn that lazy behavior results in poverty, while diligence results in wealth(Hindson, Yates 2012). In other words, diligence is rewarded, laziness is punished. We get this idea reiterated over and over again throughout the Bible. In Proverbs 21:5 “The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty”. And again in Proverbs 10:4 “Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.” I could go on, but I think we get the idea. When...
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...Hebrew Wisdom on Diligence and Laziness Bible 105-B27 LUO: Old Testament Survey 201320 Spring 2013 Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx L33333333 Liberty University February 24, 2013 Hebrew Wisdom on Diligence and Laziness There is a great deal of Hebrew wisdom in the Bible in regards to the subjects of diligence and laziness. Throughout the book of Proverbs the words of lazy and diligence can be found in many different forms. Sluggish, sluggard, and idle describe laziness. The word diligence can also be considered as, thorough, attentive, and persistence. Each of these words, found in the Bible, can reference diligence, and laziness within Hebrew Wisdom in many cases. The book of Proverbs is the Hebrew book of Wisdom. Its purpose is to provide practical instructions to live a wise, well ordered live. The difference between being diligent, wise, lazy, and having folly is knowledge. Proverbs addresses this in its first chapter: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). This is the most basic ingredient in wisdom. All wisdom depends on knowledge of God and the submission to His will. To think or believe that you know something, but you do not know God negates the value of having knowledge. Wisdom comes from being faithfully diligent in the Word of God. Many positive effects come from being diligent. Some of those are wealth, wisdom, abundance, power, satisfaction, profit, and meaningfulness. Laziness brings...
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...Bible gives us will have a good and profound influence on our lives and help us out in many situations. During the process of reading Bible, we may gain much wisdom that will be helpful in our daily life. Also, God will see us that we are diligent in following his words and he will bless us in the future life. However, if we choose laziness when we are walking with God, he could penalize us because of the laziness that we have and let us fall into a much deeper sin. So Hebrew tells us about the good results of being diligent in our walk with Christ and it also points out the negative effects of laziness. “A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied”. (Proverb 13:4) This is a scripture that I quoted from the Proverb 13:4. The writer of Proverbs, Solomon, pointed out that being diligent in our daily life would fulfill our life with wisdom and we would never feel empty everyday. We can receive plenty of knowledge and wisdom if we are hard working and diligent in finishing our daily tasks. However, laziness is a bad habit that we should overcome in our life. Bible tells us that, “The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway”. (Proverbs15: 19) A sluggard won’t have a chance to fail because he never trying to succeed. In that case, laziness has fulfilled his whole life and he will never feel the joy of becoming successful. Therefore, we should always follow the words what Bible has told us. “Those...
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...teachings of Hebrew wisdom and diligence and laziness. How does this correspond with the contrast between wisdom and folly? Include Scripture references and quotations as appropriate. Throughout the Bible, it speaks about wisdom and diligence. Along with wisdom and diligence, laziness comes into play. Since we live in a fallen world, we can not have wisdom and diligence without laziness. If we did not have laziness, then we would be living in a world that is more perfect in reality. As Christians, we are blessed by having God's word, so that we can apply the knowledge found in the Bible. On the other hand, non-believers have no such thing as the bible; thus, they try to correct themselves. One place in the Bible that best explains these concepts are found in the Old Testament, from the books of Solomon, especially in Proverbs. Solomon, being the author of the book of Proverbs, was granted the gift of wisdom, because of the covenant that he made with from God, when first became king. When he spoke and wrote about diligence, Solomon used the opportunity to discuss about its opposition, laziness. As I was reading in the Bible, I came upon an illustration, that was given by Solomon, on wisdom and laziness. In his comparison between the two, Solomon sets up wisdom as light and laziness as darkness, “Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly. What more can the king’s successor do than what has already been done? I saw that wisdom is better than folly...
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...Teachings of Hebrew Wisdom on Diligence and Laziness By: John Cleveland Throughout the Bible, we see the importance of being diligent in our walk with Christ as oppose to falling asleep and becoming lazy. As followers of Christ, we know that by applying the knowledge given to us from the Bible can have a profound impact on our lives. When we study God's Word, we receive wisdom and we are then able to use this wisdom in our daily lives. However, if we choose to not be diligent in our walk with Christ, then we could possibly backslide as a result of being lazy and falling into deeper sin. In this essay we will look at what the Hebrew teachings say about diligence as oppose to being lazy regarding our following of Christ. In discussing what the Hebrew teachings have to say about diligence and laziness, we will be looking in the Bible from the book of Proverbs. The author of Proverbs, Solomon, asked and received wisdom from the Lord and he teaches us a lot about diligence and how it differs from laziness. He shows us the importance of being diligent. Solomon states that, “a sluggard's appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” (Proverbs 13:4) When we are constantly seeking after more wisdom, we are not left empty. Our diligence reaps reward because the knowledge we receive helps us in every aspects of our life. Feeding off of God's Word gives us strength to face the challenges in our lives. Solomon states, “hold on to instruction...
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...The Bible talks a lot about the teachings of Hebrews wisdom on diligence and laziness. An example is Solomon’s teachings on wisdom and diligence with contrast between wisdom and folly. This topic is mostly found in the books of Proverbs where the Proverbs are mostly sharing wisdom. Solomon whom authored Proverbs and was well known for the gift he received from God after being asked for anything he chose wisdom and that’s what he received. When he taught about diligence he always tried to contrast it with laziness with parallels. He teaches that a diligent man will never want. Proverbs 13:4 says, “… the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” In Proverbs 21:5,”The plans of the diligent only lead to abundance…” while Proverbs 10:4 says, “The hand of the diligent enriches”, and Proverbs 12:11 says, “He who works his land will have plenty of food.” And all those these things seem outright and not too important, they obviously had to be other wise Solomon wouldn’t have recorded them then. But because of the money Solomon’s kingdom had there was a lot of room for laziness for the people. In the eyes of the diligent people the lazy people were low lives or people who they just didn’t like or care for. An example is Martha who worked so hard she missed almost all of Jesus’ sermon in Luke 10:40 in her own house. Solomon says diligence is described like this, “She looks after the ways of her household, and the bread of idleness she will not eat.” This teaching could bring a lot...
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...these nuggets are wisdom. The book of proverbs consistently presents the sluggard as a folly and the diligent person as wise. In following the lifestyle of a diligent wise man or one of a lazy fool is presented throughout the readings of Proverbs. “All wisdom, even things related to everyday practical matters, begins with the fear of the Lord (1:7). Therefore, Hebrew wisdom literature taught people not only how to make good choices in life but also how to make godly choices.”(The essence of the Old Testament) Solomon, wrote most of the Proverbs, is well known for the wisdom gifted him by God upon requesting it. According to the Bible Solomon’s wisdom was divinely granted and surpassed that of all other sages (1kgs 4:29-34). Even Jesus accepted the historicity of the biblical account of Solomon’s wisdom (matt12:41), and thus, there is little reason from scripture to question Solomon as the author/originator of the proverbs attributed to him.( The essence of the Old Testament). The contrast between wisdom and folly is often a Sharp contrast between righteousness and wickedness for example; the diligent person is wise while the sluggard is a fool or the one who holds his tongue is wise while the fool hastens to speak. (The essence of the Old Testament).I have often heard the definition of wisdom being knowledge applied. We can memorize scripture, teach classes, even preach from the pulpit; however, until we apply in our hearts what we know to be truth, wisdom will never be accounted...
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...Liberti Todd BIBLE 105 September 28, 2014 Diligence and Laziness vs. Wisdom and Folly The believer is called to live a life that is above reproach. While that does not mean the believer will never stumble it does mean that the believer is to live life wisely. There should always be a difference between the lifestyle of a Christ follower and an unbeliever; the life of someone that has been transformed is not common but carful and consistent with their change. Evidence of thought plus attention to certain actions are what help the believer to stand out in the world, there is a call to diligence and wisdom as opposed to living life lazy and imprudent. Although there are similarities between diligence and wisdom, laziness and folly, there are differences as well; observing scripture and context each will be addressed in this essay. Solomon, the wisest man in the bible, was the author of the book of Proverbs. The book goes into great detail about the difference in outcome for the diligent and wise man compared to the lazy and foolish man. It is imperative for every believer to read and study the book of Proverbs in depth to understand the sayings and to be able to apply it to their lives. Interesting enough the Hebrew teaching on diligence show the blessings of the Lord flowing on those that to choose to obey; blessings do not just flow on the believer but also the unbeliever as well. The dictionary definition of the word diligence is “constant and earnest effort to accomplish...
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...their wealth through their purchases, and most of them lived a very lavish lifestyle. It was not considered appropriate for someone with wealth to live humbly while saving money. Many went into great debt to support their lifestyle. Franklin went against this tradition and extolled the virtue of preserving and investing wisely. Franklin created a fictional character that he called Poor Richard, who wrote helpful tips in Poor Richard’s Almanac. In it Franklin emphasized the need for society to control their spending and maintain their wealth. The Way to Wealth is written from the perspective of the humorous Poor Richard who was quoting a so-called reader of his work name Father Abraham. By using a secondary source that was praising the wisdom of Poor Richard, Franklin was lending an element of validity and importance to his work. Benjamin Franklin also felt that too many people were focused on buying items that were not necessary. Father Abraham tells his audience that going into debt is like giving control of your lie over to another: “think what you do when you run in debt; you give to another power over your Liberty.” This is a very comparable problem in modern society. Many people today still have the problem of going into debt to live a...
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...Bible105 Essay 3 Describe the teachings of Hebrew wisdom on diligence and laziness. How does this correspond with the contrast between wisdom and folly? The bible mentions various times regarding the teachings of diligence while contrasting wisdom and folly. We learn wisdom is God given and foolishness is of the flesh. Wisdom is given to us by God so we can use knowledge correctly and if we don’t have God, we don’t have wisdom, therefore we cannot use knowledge correctly. The book of proverbs is where we find most of these teachings. Solomon states, “a sluggard's appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” Our diligence reaps reward because the knowledge we receive helps us in every aspects of our lives. The bible must be the building block to our lives. As Christians we are obligated to follow the teachings of the Bible in every way of our lives. Our flesh naturally is so prone to pleasure and immediate gratification. Honoring God to these natural desires requires self-discipline and self-determination. It also requires submission to God’s purpose for our lives. If we choose to not be diligent in our walk with Christ, then we could possibly backslide as a result of being lazy and falling into deeper sin. We can see Solomon’s pursuit after pleasure and wisdom were similar, as also were the conclusions. Solomon realizes the two paths he is taking were those of pleasure and wisdom seeking. A fool’s life is characterized by following pleasure...
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