Proverbs 12:11 Commentary and Bible Study

Taking an illustration from the farmer’s attention to his land, Solomon teaches the importance of diligence in the spiritual life. One man knows the importance of hard work at the right time and that nothing can be achieved without it. The land does not prepare itself, the seed does not sow itself, nor the crop harvest itself, and without all these steps there will be no bread on the table. Bread to eat for himself and his family is the reward of the diligent worker; hard work brings its own reward. But another man is lazy and avoids labour. Although it is time to be ploughing the land, tilling the soil, and sowing the crop, he would rather be following some unrelated interest and so puts off these jobs. He does not sufficiently connect the end with the means, nor does he think ahead to the time when he will need bread on the table. These two people represent two very different approaches to life. One man understands the necessity of diligent use of means and sees life as a preparation for eternity to come. He is willing to labour in this life and knows his labour is not in vain, because his rest is in heaven, not in this world. But another is a dreamer, and his fancy is caught by all manner of distracting pursuits which God has warned him do not lead to life. He focuses on what is trivial and near at hand, and not on what endures into the world to come. The Christian sees this life for what it is – a temporary home, a preparation for his eternal home – and he does not allow himself to be distracted by the trivia of sin.