“I went by the field of the lazy man and by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding, and there it was, all overgrown with thorns; its surface was covered with nettles; its stone wall was broken down. When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, so shall your poverty come like a prowler and your need like an armed man” (Proverbs 24:30-34).
Opportunities for gleaning and increasing wisdom abound for those who are seeking it. You do not have to enroll or graduate from the “School of Hard Knocks” to become wise. A better course of action is described in this proverb: See, consider/reflect upon, and receive instruction.
Solomon gained wisdom from seeing the results of another’s laziness, reflecting upon the crop produced by planting lazy seeds, and gleaning instruction/wisdom from it. In Proverbs 6:6 he instructs: “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise.” From internal motivation, self-discipline, and a strong work ethic, an ant stocks its pantry during harvest so it has food long after the harvest is over. Unlike the sluggard, the ant does not sleep, slumber, and rest during the critical days of harvest. It does not dilly or dally; it diligently works. Wisdom is learned.
There are many opportunities for gleaning and increasing your wisdom. See, consider, and receive instruction from God’s creation call nature. See, consider, and receive instruction from the wise and unwise decisions of people in Scripture. See, consider, and receive instruction from the choices made by your peers, parents, siblings, and contemporaries.
See, consider, and receive instruction is a significant way to glean and increase your wisdom.
