Proverbs 12:27a, Castles in Dreamland

June 24, Proverbs 12:27a

Acts 2:41-47 “having no root in himself” (Mt. 13:20).

Castles in Dreamland

The slothful man roasts not that which he took in hunting. Roast occurs only here in the Hebrew. This has led some to suggest other meanings hike start or set out. Aramaic and Arabic roots suggest scorch. Of the three Hebrew young men, in the fiery furnace of Nebuchadnezzar, it was observed, there was not an hair of their head singed (Dan. 3:27). Jewish tradition has roast, and so our KJV.

1. His Disaffection: This writer too is convicted by this Proverb! He can recount a number of failures to follow through to completion a task or project. Castles collapse for want of follow-through. The arch crumbles for lack of one stone, the keystone. Is there not a constitutional tendency to this all too common malady in most of us? It is the way of inertia, the line of least resistance. Slackness, indolence, endangers the soul. Satan’s chief conquests are over those who have nothing to do, or if they have, they are unwilling to do it. “Procrastination is the kidnapper of souls, and the recruiting officer of hell.” It is, therefore, the greatest enemy of all accomplishment, both temporal and spiritual. De Witt Talmage, the evangelist, said, “I never knew a man given up to thorough idleness that was converted. Let me tell the idler that there is no hope for him either in this world or in the world that is to come.” This disaffection is his downfall!

2. His Deprivation: This is a slothful (deceitful, 12:24) man. If he took nothing in the hunt, it would be a frustration. Yet he did take his prey. Therefore, not to roast and eat it for necessary meat, for himself and his family, is most irresponsible. All his effort was for naught! To take it and leave it to rot is an act of sinful disregard for his own life as well as that of the beast. a. His Avidity: That which he took in hunting is just one Hebrew word. It refers to game hunted and taken. He is an avid hunter. He is full of zeal and activity to be in the chase. He spares himself no expense or effort. b. His Ability: He is an able hunter, a crack shot, and he bags his game. Well done! Here the deceit begins to appear. Though he is effective in his quest, he is not efficient in the ultimate goal. c. His Absurdity: Most hunters have the game they took ready for roasting the same night or next day, but not this slothful fellow. This man does not do nothing. No, he goes out; he gets his deer, but is deprived of his dinner! He is too lazy to roast it when he comes home! Now that the excitement of the hunt is over, he is weary from dragging his game home. He needs to rest, so he forgets his buck and goes to his bed! The result is that his efforts result in nothing achieved! He ends up empty-handed, and with an empty stomach to boot! He waits for the next chase. Whether he is a non-starter or a non-finisher, he throws away his opportunities, and opportunities do not wait. If they are not seized, they will be forever lost. Can you see yourself in this light? Don’t be deceived with castles in dreamland!

Thought: “The lazy man’s dessert is-roast nothing and no gravy.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, make me an enduring and steadfast disciple.