“The lazy man says, ‘There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!’ As a door turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man on his bed. The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly” (Proverbs 26:13-16)
A significant expectation Jehovah has of all humanity is a strong work ethic. Even before God cursed the ground with thorns and thistles (Gen. 3:18), He expected Adam to work (Gen. 2:15). In addition, spiritual success is impossible for anyone who will not work out his own salvation (Phil. 2:12) with a diligent pursuit of spiritual growth and development (2 Pet. 1:5-10).
Being lazy is like being surrounded by a hedge of thorns (Prov. 15:19). Escaping this prison of slothfulness is possible but not without a hard fought and bloodied battle. Unfortunately, tenacity is not a typical trait of the lazy.
The wise man identifies these four common characteristics of those who lack an acceptable work ethic. These are:
Extraordinary (Outrageous) Excuses (v.13). Any sad and sorry excuse will suffice, even the outlandish one of “There’s a lion on the loose somewhere.” What a sluggard lacks in a work ethic, he capably compensates in making outrageous excuses.
Excessive Sleeping (v. 14). Only the lazy truly knows how exhausting it is to procrastinate and make excuses. By their actions, these slothful activities must be extremely fatiguing. Recovering from them apparently necessitates more sleep and rest than after a day of hard work, diligent labor, and purposeful living.
Easy Exhaustion. (v.15). A lazy person has the annoying ability of failing to meet simple and reasonable expectations. Even doing something which is in his own best interest—like eating—can be considered too strenuous. This irritating trait of the lazy is like vinegar to your teeth and smoke in your eyes (Proverbs 10:26).
Extreme Self-Esteem. (v. 16). Laziness is one of the many bitter fruits which grows on the tree of pride and inflated self-esteem. The slothful thinks himself to be above certain “menial” tasks. He is too wise, important, and valuable to be expected to work vigorously and with perseverance. Sweat, callouses, and tired muscles are grossly inappropriate for someone of his superior, elite, entitled status.
Physical laziness leads to poverty and want (Prov. 13:4; 10:4). It ultimately is a life of abject misery. “The desire of the lazy man kills him; for his hands refuse to labor” (Prov. 21:25).
