Proverbs 24:30

“Then I was by him, [as] one brought up [with him], etc.] He was then, and from all eternity, “by him”, or “with him”f233; which denotes his co-existence with God, and his relation to him as his Father; his nearness to him, his equality with him, and his distinction from him: he was by him when the names of God’s elect were put down in the book of life; he was by him and with him in the council and covenant of grace and peace; and so in the creation of all things, and has been ever since; not as a onlooker, but as a party concerned; and not as subordinate and inferior to his Father, but equal with him. The word ˆwma, translated “brought up”, is differently rendered; Symmachus and Theodotion…”

“A striking picture of the effects of sloth.”

“The chapter ends with an apologue, which may be taken as a parable of something yet deeper. The field and the vineyard are more than the man’s earthly possessions. His neglect brings barrenness or desolation to the garden of the soul. The “thorns” are evil habits that choke the good seed, and the “nettles” are those that are actually hurtful and offensive to others. The “wall” is the defense which laws and rules give to the inward life, and which the sluggard learns to disregard, and the “poverty” is the loss of the true riches of the soul, tranquility, and peace, and righteousness. return to 'Top of Page'”

“24:30-34 Saying 5: Laziness and love for sleep lead to poverty (see 10:4-5, 26; 12:11; 13:4; 15:19; 18:9; 19:15, 24; 20:4, 13).”

“went: Pro 6:6-19; Job 4:8, Job 5:27, Job 15:17; Psa 37:25, Psa 107:42; Ecc 4:1-8, Ecc 7:15; Ecc 8:9-11 void: Pro 10:13, Pro 12:11 Proverbs 24:31”

“A Mashal ode of the slothful, in the form of a record of experiences, concludes this second supplement (vid., vol. i. p. 17): 30 The field of a slothful man I came past, And the vineyard of a man devoid of understanding. 31 And, lo! it was wholly filled up with thorns; Its face was covered with nettles; And its wall of stones was broken down. 32 But I looked and directed my attention to it; I saw it, and took instruction from it: 33 "A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest. 34 Then cometh thy poverty apace, And thy want as an armed man." The line 29b with לאישׁ is followed by one with אישׁ. The form of the narrative in which this warning against drowsy…”