proverbs-6:6-11,-proverbs-26:13-16-niv

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:1-35

The sixth chapter embraces four distinct discourses, each of which is a warning. The subjects treated of are The continuity of the subject treated of in the preceding chapter appears to be somewhat abruptly interrupted to make way for the insertion of three discourses on subjects which apparently have little connection with what precedes and what follows. Their unlooked for and unexpected appearance has led Hitzig to regard them as interpolations, but it has been conclusively pointed out... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:6

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. The ant (Hebrew, n'malah ) is here brought forward as supplying an example of wisdom to the sluggard. The habits of this insect, its industry and providence, have in all ages made it the symbol of these two qualities, and not only the sacred, but also profane writers have praised its foresight, and held it up for imitation. The ant is only mentioned twice in the Old Testament, and on both occasions in our book (see present... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:6

The ant Scripture sends us to nature. Even the smallest works of nature are full of Divine lessons to him who has eyes to read them. Sometimes we are bidden to consider the heavens, but now we are invited to consider the ant. The telescope has its lessons; so also has the microscope. But when a man refuses to hear the voice of God, will he hear the voice of an insect prophet? Possibly. It takes an eagle's eye to gaze at the sun; but any eye can look on the earth. If a man's vision is too... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:6-11

10. Tenth admonitory discourse. Warning against sloth. The ethical connection of this discourse with the preceding has already been pointed out. Sloth militates against prosperity; it is the prolific parent of want, and, even more surely than suretyship, leads to misfortune and ruin, The certainty with which ruin steals upon the sluggard may be the reason why the teacher closes the discourse in the way he does. In the case of suretyship such an issue is uncertain; there is the possibility... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:6-11

The sluggard admonished I. THE PICTURE OF INSECT INDUSTRY . The ant was viewed as the very picture of laboriousness in ancient as in modern times. It is interesting that the German word for "industrious" ( emsig ) seems derivable from amessi, "emmet, ant." The like may probably be traceable in some English dialects, 1 . The industry of the ant has all the appearance of a virtue. For it seems unforced; there is no judge, superintendent, or onlooker, or taskmaster, to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:6-11

Sloth and diligence In this land and in this age, in England in the nineteenth century, there is little room for the sluggard; there is comparatively little temptation to sluggishness; the force of a rushing stream carries all along with it at a rapid pace. Nevertheless, it is true— I. THAT SOME MEN FIND THEMSELVES UNDER SPECIAL TEMPTATION TO SLOTH . This may be a matter of II. THAT IT IS TO BE REGARDED AS UNWORTHY OF CHRISTIAN MANHOOD . ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:7

Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler. This statement is substantially correct, for though the most recent observations made by modern naturalists have discovered various classes of ants occupying the same ant hill, yet there appears to be a total want of that gradation and subordination in ant life which is noticeable among bees. The three terms used here, katsa, shoter, moshel, all refer to government, and correspond respectively with the modern, Arabic terms, kadi, wall, and emir... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:8

Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. It is this characteristic, combined with what has just been said, which gives point to the lesson the sluggard is to learn. The teacher, as it were, argues: If the ant, so insignificant a creature in the order of the animal kingdom, is so provident, how much more should you be—you, a man endued with superior intelligence, and with so many more resources at hand, and with greater advantages! If the ant, with none to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:9-11

contain a call to the sluggard to rouse himself from his lethargy, and the warning of the evil consequences if he remains heedless of the reproof. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? It is the same as if it were said, "What infatuation is this which makes you lie and sleep as if you had nothing else to do?" The double question stigmatizes the sluggard's utter indolence, and suggests the picture of his prolonging his stay in bed long after every one else is abroad and about his business. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:10

Yet a Little sleep, etc. Is this the answer of the sluggard which the teacher takes up and repeats ironically, and in a tone of contempt? or is it the teacher's own language describing how the sluggard slides on insensibly to ruin? The Vulgate favours the latter view, "Thou shalt sleep a little, thou shalt slumber a little, thou shalt fold thy hands to sleep, and then," etc. Habits, as Aristotle in his 'Ethics' has shown, are the resultant of repeated acts, and habits entail consequences. So... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:1-35

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:6-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:6-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:6-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:9-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 6:10

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