Proverbs 12: 11 Work and Eat…

This verse is the essence of the story of the grasshopper and the ant. The ant worked HARD all summer while the grasshopper wiled away the hours, playing and having fun, but when the winter came, the ant had plenty of provisions laid up for his family, while the grasshopper died out in the cold.

Proverbs 12: 11 (NKJV)

11 He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread,

But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.

tills: To prepare (land) for the raising of crops, as by plowing and harrowing; cultivate

satisfied: Filled with satisfaction; content

bread: 1. a. Food in general, regarded as necessary for sustaining life b. Something that nourishes; sustenance 3. Means of support; livelihood

frivolous: 1. Unworthy of serious attention; trivial 2. Inappropriately silly

frivolity: 1. The quality or condition of being frivolous. 2. A frivolous act or thing.

devoid: Completely lacking; destitute or empty

understanding: 1. Characterized by or having comprehension, good sense, intelligence or discernment. 2. Compassionate; sympathetic

Using the definitions of the main words from today’s verse, we see that the person who works by doing the job that God has given him to bring him his “Daily Bread,” will be sustained and content, while the person who doesn’t pay attention and just goes around being silly instead of working, doesn’t show ANY intelligence or good sense.

I found some of the other translations of this verse to be helpful in understanding it as well:

The New American Standard Bible puts it this way:

11. He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.

The New International Version says: 11. He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.

And last, but not least, “The Message” version says: 11. The one who stays on the job has food on the table; the witless chase whims and fancies.

Proverbs 10: 4 & 5

Both verses 4 & 5 contrast laziness and diligence. Here are our verses:

Proverbs 10: 4 & 5 (NKJV)

4 He who has a slack hand becomes poor,

But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son;

He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

The online dictionary defines “slack” as: Verb 1. to neglect one's duty or work in a lazy manner and some synonyms are: idleness; carelessness; inefficiency; sloth.

This website also defines “diligent” as the exact opposite: Adjective 1. careful and persevering in carrying out tasks or duties 2. quietly and steadily persevering especially in detail or exactness

With these definitions, we can see that someone who is idle, careless and/or inefficient, and that neglects their work by doing it in a lazy manner WILL become poor for they will lose their jobs very quickly. The workers who are very careful to take care of all the details in their tasks or duties would quickly become valuable to their boss, and be promoted.

Verse 5 speaks of those who “gather” in the season for gathering in a harvest (summer). When they do the work, when it needs to be done, then they are being wise, while those that are lazy and don’t take advantage of the “window” when the harvest is ready, will end up with little or nothing to show and this will bring shame to them.