◄ Proverbs 10:5 ►
He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
Study Bible
He who gathers in summer
The phrase "gathers in summer" refers to the diligent and timely effort of collecting crops during the appropriate season. In the Hebrew context, the word for "gathers" (אָסַף, 'asaph) implies not just the act of collecting but also the wisdom in recognizing the right time for action. Summer, in the agrarian society of ancient Israel, was the critical period for harvest. This phrase highlights the virtue of seizing opportunities and working diligently when the time is ripe. It serves as a metaphor for spiritual readiness and the importance of acting wisely in the seasons of life that God provides.

is a wise son
The term "wise" (חָכָם, chakam) in Hebrew encompasses not only intellectual acumen but also moral and spiritual insight. A "wise son" is one who understands the value of hard work and the importance of timing, reflecting a life lived in accordance with God's principles. In the biblical context, wisdom is often associated with righteousness and the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). This phrase underscores the honor and respect that come from living a life marked by prudence and foresight.

but he who sleeps during harvest
The contrast here is stark. "Sleeps" (יָשֵׁן, yashen) suggests negligence and laziness, a failure to act when action is required. In the agricultural setting of the Bible, harvest time was a period of intense labor and opportunity. To sleep during this crucial time is to squander the blessings and opportunities God provides. This phrase serves as a warning against complacency and spiritual sloth, urging believers to be vigilant and proactive in their faith and responsibilities.

is a disgraceful son
The word "disgraceful" (מֵבִישׁ, mebish) conveys a sense of shame and dishonor. In the family-oriented culture of ancient Israel, a son's actions reflected on the entire household. A "disgraceful son" brings shame not only to himself but also to his family, failing to uphold the values and expectations of his community. This phrase emphasizes the consequences of neglect and the importance of living a life that honors God and family. It serves as a call to integrity and responsibility, reminding believers of the impact their actions have on their witness and legacy.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Wise Son
Represents an individual who acts with foresight and diligence, making the most of opportunities.

2. Disgraceful Son
Symbolizes someone who is lazy or negligent, failing to act when it is most crucial.

3. Summer
The season of opportunity and preparation, a time when resources are gathered.

4. Harvest
A critical period for reaping the benefits of prior labor, symbolizing the culmination of efforts.

5. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, known for his wisdom and teachings on practical living.
Teaching Points
Diligence and Foresight
Emphasize the importance of working diligently and preparing for the future. Just as a wise son gathers in summer, we should seize opportunities to work and prepare.

Consequences of Negligence
Highlight the negative outcomes of laziness and neglect. Sleeping during harvest leads to disgrace, illustrating the importance of timely action.

Spiritual Readiness
Encourage believers to be spiritually prepared, drawing parallels to the need for readiness in both physical and spiritual harvests.

Value of Hard Work
Reinforce the biblical principle that hard work is honorable and leads to reward, while laziness results in shame and missed opportunities.

Seasonal Awareness
Teach the importance of recognizing and responding to the seasons of life, understanding that there is a time for work and a time for rest.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can we identify the "summer" seasons in our lives, and what practical steps can we take to gather during these times?

2. In what ways does the concept of a "wise son" challenge our current work ethic and approach to responsibilities?

3. How can we apply the principle of gathering in summer to our spiritual lives and relationship with God?

4. What are some modern-day examples of "sleeping during harvest," and how can we avoid these pitfalls?

5. How do the themes of diligence and preparedness in Proverbs 10:5 connect with Jesus' teachings in the New Testament, such as the Parable of the Ten Virgins?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 6:6-11
This passage encourages learning from the ant's diligence and warns against laziness, similar to the themes in Proverbs 10:5.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Discusses the importance of timing and seasons, emphasizing that there is a time for every activity under heaven, including work and rest.

Matthew 25:1-13
The Parable of the Ten Virgins highlights the importance of being prepared and wise, akin to gathering in summer.

Galatians 6:9
Encourages believers not to grow weary in doing good, for in due season, they will reap if they do not give up, paralleling the harvest theme.

James 4:17
Speaks to the sin of knowing the good one ought to do and failing to do it, reflecting the disgrace of sleeping during harvest.
Sermons
Opportunity to be UsedChristian AgeProverbs 10:5
Summer and HarvestWilliam Jay.Proverbs 10:5
Summer, the Christian's Gathering-TimeJames Logan, M.A.Proverbs 10:5
Thrift of TimeProverbs 10:5
Using Our OpportunitiesJ. Parker, D.D.Proverbs 10:5
Youthful NeglectProverbs 10:5
Four Conditions of Well BeingW. Clarkson Proverbs 10:2-6
Moral Contrast in Earthly Lot and DestinyE. Johnson Proverbs 10:2-7
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Acts, Brings, Causes, Causeth, Causing, Crops, Cut, Disgraceful, During, Gathereth, Gathering, Gathers, Gets, Grain, Harvest, Prudent, Rest, Shame, Shamefully, Sleepeth, Sleeping, Sleeps, Store, Summer, Takes, Wise, Wisely
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 10:5

     4412   binding corn
     4464   harvest
     4510   sowing and reaping
     4970   seasons, of year
     5386   leisure, nature of
     5533   sleep, physical
     5967   thrift
     8365   wisdom, human

Proverbs 10:4-5

     5539   sluggard
     5636   work, and rest

Library
The Two-Fold Aspect of the Divine Working
'The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.'--PROVERBS x. 29. You observe that the words 'shall be,' in the last clause, are a supplement. They are quite unnecessary, and in fact they rather hinder the sense. They destroy the completeness of the antithesis between the two halves of the verse. If you leave them out, and suppose that the 'way of the Lord' is what is spoken of in both clauses, you get a far deeper and fuller meaning. 'The way …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
"He that uttereth slander is a fool."--Prov. x. 18. General declamations against vice and sin are indeed excellently useful, as rousing men to consider and look about them: but they do often want effect, because they only raise confused apprehensions of things, and indeterminate propensions to action; which usually, before men thoroughly perceive or resolve what they should practise, do decay and vanish. As he that cries out "Fire!" doth stir up people, and inspireth them with a kind of hovering …
Isaac Barrow—Sermons on Evil-Speaking, by Isaac Barrow

The Folly of Slander. Part 2.
"He that uttereth slander is a fool."--Prov. x. 18. I have formerly in this place, discoursing upon this text, explained the nature of the sin here condemned, with its several kinds and ways of practising. II. I shall now proceed to declare the folly of it; and to make good by divers reasons the assertion of the wise man, that "He who uttereth slander is a fool." 1. Slandering is foolish, as sinful and wicked. All sin is foolish upon many accounts; as proceeding from ignorance, error, inconsiderateness, …
Isaac Barrow—Sermons on Evil-Speaking, by Isaac Barrow

Sanctions of Moral Law, Natural and Governmental.
In the discussion of this subject, I shall show-- I. What constitute the sanctions of law. 1. The sanctions of law are the motives to obedience, the natural and the governmental consequences or results of obedience and of disobedience. 2. They are remuneratory, that is, they promise reward to obedience. 3. They are vindicatory, that is, they threaten the disobedient with punishment. 4. They are natural, that is, happiness is to some extent naturally connected with, and the necessary consequence of, …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
OR, A DISCOURSE OF THE RIGHTEOUS MAN'S DESIRES. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR As the tree is known by its fruit, so is the state of a man's heart known by his desires. The desires of the righteous are the touchstone or standard of Christian sincerity--the evidence of the new birth--the spiritual barometer of faith and grace--and the springs of obedience. Christ and him crucified is the ground of all our hopes--the foundation upon which all our desires after God and holiness are built--and the root …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Lii. Trust in God.
15th Sunday after Trinity. S. Matt. vi. 31. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness." INTRODUCTION.--We read in ancient Roman history that a general named Aemilius Paulus was appointed to the Roman army in a time of war and great apprehension. He found in the army a sad condition of affairs, there were more officers than fighting men, and all these officers wanted to have their advice taken, and the war conducted in accordance with their several opinions. Then Aemilius Paulus …
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

The Death and the Raising of Lazarus - the Question of Miracles and of this Miracle of Miracles - views of Negative Criticism on this History
From listening to the teaching of Christ, we turn once more to follow His working. It will be remembered, that the visit to Bethany divides the period from the Feast of the Dedication to the last Paschal week into two parts. It also forms the prelude and preparation for the awful events of the End. For, it was on that occasion that the members of the Sanhedrin formally resolved on His Death. It now only remained to settle and carry out the plans for giving effect to their purpose. This is one aspect …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Christian's Hope
Scripture references: 1 Timothy 1:1; Colossians 1:27; Psalm 130:5; 43:5; Proverbs 10:8; Acts 24:15; Psalm 71:5; Romans 5:1-5; 12:12; 15:4; 1 Corinthians 9:10; Galatians 5:5; Ephesians 1:18; Philippians 1:20; Colossians 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2:19; Titus 1:2; 2:13; 3:7; Psalm 31:24; 71:14,15. HOPE IN THE PRESENT LIFE That which a man ardently hopes for he strives to realize. If he desires fame, office or wealth he will seek to set forces in motion, here and now, which will bring him that which …
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

Letter xxxi (A. D. 1132) to the Abbot of a Certain Monastery at York, from which the Prior had Departed, Taking Several Religious with Him.
To the Abbot of a Certain Monastery at York, from Which the Prior Had Departed, Taking Several Religious with Him. [50] 1. You write to me from beyond the sea to ask of me advice which I should have preferred that you had sought from some other. I am held between two difficulties, for if I do not reply to you, you may take my silence for a sign of contempt; but if I do reply I cannot avoid danger, since whatever I reply I must of necessity either give scandal to some one or give to some other a security …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

The Poor in Spirit are Enriched with a Kingdom
Theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 Here is high preferment for the saints. They shall be advanced to a kingdom. There are some who, aspiring after earthly greatness, talk of a temporal reign here, but then God's church on earth would not be militant but triumphant. But sure it is the saints shall reign in a glorious manner: Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.' A kingdom is held the acme and top of all worldly felicity, and this honour have all the saints'; so says our Saviour, Theirs is the …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

How the Simple and the Crafty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 12.) Differently to be admonished are the simple and the insincere. The simple are to be praised for studying never to say what is false, but to be admonished to know how sometimes to be silent about what is true. For, as falsehood has always harmed him that speaks it, so sometimes the hearing of truth has done harm to some. Wherefore the Lord before His disciples, tempering His speech with silence, says, I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now (Joh. xvi. 12). …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Letter xv (Circa A. D. 1129) to Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin
To Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin He praises the fatherly gentleness of Alvisus towards Godwin. He excuses himself, and asks pardon for having admitted him. To Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin. [18] 1. May God render to you the same mercy which you have shown towards your holy son Godwin. I know that at the news of his death you showed yourself unmindful of old complaints, and remembering only your friendship for him, behaved with kindness, not resentment, and putting aside the character of judge, showed yourself …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Jesus Heals Multitudes Beside the Sea of Galilee.
^A Matt. XII. 15-21; ^B Mark III. 7-12. ^a 15 And Jesus perceiving it withdrew ^b with his disciples ^a from thence: ^b to the sea [This was the first withdrawal of Jesus for the avowed purpose of self-preservation. After this we find Jesus constantly retiring to avoid the plots of his enemies. The Sea of Galilee, with its boats and its shores touching different jurisdictions, formed a convenient and fairly safe retreat]: ^a and many followed him; ^b and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

How the Silent and the Talkative are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 15.) Differently to be admonished are the over-silent, and those who spend time in much speaking. For it ought to be insinuated to the over-silent that while they shun some vices unadvisedly, they are, without its being perceived, implicated in worse. For often from bridling the tongue overmuch they suffer from more grievous loquacity in the heart; so that thoughts seethe the more in the mind from being straitened by the violent guard of indiscreet silence. And for the most part they …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, and his Righteousness, and all These Things Shall be Added unto You. "
Matth. vi. 33.--"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." The perfection even of the most upright creature, speaks always some imperfection in comparison of God, who is most perfect. The heavens, the sun and moon, in respect of lower things here, how glorious do they appear, and without spot! But behold, they are not clean in God's sight! How far are the angels above us who dwell in clay! They appear to be a pure mass of light and …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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