Jump Start # 3735

Proverbs 24:30-32 “I passed by the field of the sluggard and by the vineyard of the man lacking sense, and behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles; Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction.”

Our passage borrowed from the pages of wisdom tells the story of an neglected field. Driving about in the country, I’ve seen this image many times. Weathered barns ready to fall down. Fields full of weeds. Junk and rusty cars sitting in fields. I see pictures on Facebook of abandoned schools and church buildings. Once useful, now, sitting empty and deteriorating with time.

The field that our passage refers to is not abandoned. It is not ownerless or up for sale. It belongs to someone. He is a sluggard, or simply put, lazy. He doesn’t have the passion, the energy or the want-to, to take care of the place. The weeds grow and they grow rapidly. By doing nothing, the fields turn to weeds.

And, built within this passage is a three step principle for the wise and the mature. It’s found here. It’s found in life. It’s a wonderful way of entering a study of the Bible. Notice the last sentence of our verse: “When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction.”

First, I saw. There was a field that was overgrown with weeds and the wise man noticed. Jesus used this same principle when showing us how to deal with worry and anxious moments. In the great sermon on the mount, our Lord said:

• Look at the birds (Mt 6:26). Have you noticed how geese fly in a V formation? Look at the birds.
• Then Jesus says, “And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow…” (Mt 5:28). Look.

When you are out and about, open your eyes and see things. When you turn the pages of the Bible, look.

Second, I reflected. That comes from the last sentence of our passage today. It’s more than just seeing. Many people see, but they fail to reflect. This carries the idea of observing and introspection. Reflecting bring the idea of some insights.

We do this with life. We do this with the Scriptures.

Third, I learned. The language from our verse is, “…and received instruction.” Where did the wise man learn these lessons? The fields do not talk. The lazy man did not speak. He learned because he was observant. He learned because his spiritual radar was on. He learned because he was always thinking, looking and seeing things spiritually.

A neglected field, and lessons were learned. What do you think he learned? Here are some thoughts:

First, doing nothing is easy. I guarantee you that I can take any college class in any university and flunk. It’s easy. Don’t show up. Don’t take notes. Don’t study. Don’t try. Easy to do. I guarantee you that I could get fired from just about any job. That’s easy. Don’t show up. Break the rules. Don’t care. I guarantee you that I could easily be broke. Just spend without caring. Don’t follow a budget. Don’t set aside an emergency fund. Don’t invest or save. Flunking out is easy. Getting fired is easy. Going broke is easy.

It’s hard getting A’s. It’s hard getting promoted. It’s hard building a nest egg. The same could be said spiritually. It’s easy to lose your soul. It’s easy to go to Hell. Don’t do anything. Don’t care about the Lord. Don’t try to live righteously. Don’t believe. Do nothing, and you’ll lose your soul.

A field full of weeds teaches that.

Second, things could be turned around for the better. The wise man looking at that field, might have thought, ‘man, if this was my place, I’d start pulling those weeds, building up that broken wall. Then, I’d plant some wheat.” His mind may have been turning over all the positive things that would turn that place around. It’d take some work. It’d be hard at first, but it could be done.

We see similar things today. Someone will buy a broken down house. They’ll get in there and rip out carpet, put in new sinks and cabinets. New paint on the wall. The landscaping is shaped up. And, then the owner will sell it for a nice profit.

And, can’t the same be said spiritually. A life twisted by negative thoughts. A heart controlled by hatred. An addiction. Weeds everywhere in that life. But it’s not too far gone. Pour in the pure Gospel message, get around God’s people. Start connecting with others, begin to do things for others, and purpose and hope begin to come alive. That sour, grumpy, skin-flint, can become the most encouraging and generous person you know. It’ll take some work. It won’t happen in a week. But set a plan and see what the Lord can do.

The difference between a wish and a goal is that a wish is just words. I wish I could lose weight, someone announces. I wish I knew the Bible like you do. I wish I had some money. And, those wishes will never come true because they are just empty words. A goal has a plan, steps and a strategy built behind it. A goal has definite steps. Want to lose weight? Wishing or a goal? Want to save money? Wishing or a goal? Wanting to know the Bible? Wishing or a goal?

I saw. I reflected. I learned.

Roger