The Hebrew books of Poetry are guides for living our daily lives. In the book of Proverbs, it is a consistent guide of wisdom for practical living. Also, this book teaches people how to attain wisdom and discipline, how to do what is right, and what is just and fair (Tyndale, NIV, 2012). This essay will display the wisdom of the teachings on diligence and laziness of the Hebrew people, and correspond with the contrast between wisdom and folly.
The word proverb comes from a Hebrew word that means to rule or governor, and these sayings, reminders, and admonitions provide profound for governing our life, (Tyndale, NIV, 2012). God wants his creations to make an importance contribution to the work place and communities. These passages were for the ancient audience and for us today. God’s work is diligent and he is our example of how we should work (Genesis 1:1-27; 2:2 NLT). God’s creative work reveals his character. Sleeping does not require energy, an example of a sluggard person, and this kind of laziness is the result of poverty (Proverbs 6: 9-10). We should be diligent workers without a guide, overseer, or ruler and consider the ways of the ants and be wise (Proverbs 6: 6-7 NLT). The application of mind that is required in order to learn of this master is to consider His ways. The sluggard is so because he does not consider; nor shall they ever learn to any purpose, either by the word or the works of God, unless we set ourselves to consider His ways. Particularly, if we would imitate others in that which is good, we must consider their ways, diligently observe what they do, that we may do likewise (Henry, page 649, 1900). As our bodies deteriorate, we may need to retire from a particular job whose physical demand are beyond us. In recognition of the inevitable corruption of our bodies, preparation for retirement (pension, long-term care insurance, etc.) is not contrary to a trust in God but is a wise imitation of the example of the ant (Akin, 2007).
There are many diligent working people in sports, business, health care, and other types of achievers in their work arena. The hands of these people are ready to work and will have authority. The soul of the sluggard desireth and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat (Proverbs 13: 4 & Henry, 1900). He who is slow in his work will be put to forced work (Proverbs 12; 24). The ones who steal and do other crimes for their livelihood will be apprehended by the policeman and put into an incarceration facility. These facilities work groups are mandatory work. Wisdom is to be considered as an ability of the mind, and it is the ability of discerning or judging what is most just, proper and useful, but if it is to be considered as an acquirement, it is the knowledge and use of what is best, most just, most proper, most conductive to prosperity or happiness (Onyemalechi, n.d.). Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! Whatever else you do, get good judgement (Proverbs 4:7, NLT). A person with wisdom will listen and become even wiser and those who understand receive guidance by exploring the depth of the meaning of Proverbs wise saying (Proverbs 1: 5). Hebrew poetry was also used to convey wisdom, and the beginning or source of wisdom was viewed as the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7 & Hindson & Yates, page 236, 2012).
Folly, the lack of good sense or judgement, foolish act or idea, foolish behavior. (Webster’s Dictionary, 2016). The folly will say there is no God. If there was a God what is He doing to better the world. They do not understand nor have the knowledge of God’s given free will (Genesis 2: 16-17). The folly says look around in the world at the killing, thieves, and the list goes one. They do not understand this is the doing of the ill mind and choices some people make. The person with wisdom understands the imperative of employment for their livelihood and they supply their own shelter, water and food. The foolish person is the opposite of a wise person and has the desire for others to give food and shelter. One thing rest assured the fool will get what they want but the things they need will be supplied by someone else.If we are to fully recover a biblical doctrine of work, it must include a theology of leisure as well. Americans as a whole have a strong tendency of workaholics. Workers in Germany on average work only thirty-seven weeks per year; in Great Britain, the figure is 43.5. Even Japanese workers take on average five weeks of vacation a year. Americans are the workaholics of the world, putting in an average of 49.5 forty-hour workweeks per year (Akins, 2007). The character of Jesus Christ should be our example in striving for in our personal lives. Jesus Christ’s life is an example that He left for us and should be in our daily walk with others, in work, and rest (Akin, 2007)
There are different types of people for example, the one with wisdom, folly, diligence and laziness. The person with wisdom is wise person and has knowledge. They believe there is a God and fear God. Wisdom is the divinely gift from God. Wise having or showing experience, knowledge and good judgment. Knowledge is a clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; information; power of knowing. A person with wisdom is wise and increase knowledge. They have the ability to discern or judge what is true and right. They apply knowledge, through experience, without thinking about it. Whereas the folly says there are no God and speak as an atheist. The foolish person has poor character of thinking are acting stupid. They have the wrong assumption and having brainless thoughts they do not have the right knowledge and are not smart enough to make the right judgment. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; but he that hearkened unto counsel is wise. What it is that keeps a fool from being wise: His way is right in his own eyes; he thinks he is in the right in everything he does, and therefore asks no advice because he does not apprehend he needs it; he is confident and he knows the way of his heart (Proverbs 12: 15 & Henry, 1900). A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man is covered in shame (Proverbs 12:16). A fool is known by his anger; but a wise man may be angry when there is just cause for it, but then he has his anger under check and direction and is lord of his anger, whereas a fool’s anger is lord over him. When he is provoked, breaks out into indecent expressions, in word or behavior, whose passion alters his countenance, makes him outrageous, and leads him to forget himself, Nabal certainly is his name and folly is with him (Henry, 1900). A wise man will gain knowledge and diligence. A fool will not accept the knowledge from a wise person. They feel their way is the only way. Most fools are lazy workers because the company is not operative as they want. Folly do not change their attitude, but the wise man learns from his life’s lessons along the way.

References

Akin, D. (2007). A Theology for the Church. B&H Academic.
Henry, M. (1900). Matthey Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible. Vol. 3. Job To Song of Solomon. Fleming Revell Co, London & New York.
Hindson, Ed, and Gary Yates. (2012) The Essence of the Old Testament: A Survey. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group.
Onyemalechi, S. (n.d.) Ten Signs of Wisdom. Retrieved on March 24, from http://www.jfoutreach.org/archives/archives/tensignsofwisdom.pdf
Tyndale. (2012). Life Application Study Bible NIV. Tyndale House Bibles. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; New International edition.
Merriam Webster (2016). Folly. Retrieved on March 24, 3016 from http://www.merriam webster.com/dictionary/folly