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Our text points to the sluggard — the lazy man. "How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? "There are many lazy people in the world. They are generally not worth much, not much wanted, nor of much use, except as beacons. They are not often prosperous. "An idle man," says Mr. Spurgeon, "makes himself a target for the devil; and the devil is an uncommonly good shot." An idle man's heart is the devil's nest; his hands the devil's tools; while the devil lays in wait for active, busy men, the idle man is actually waiting for the devil to set him a job. A race of idle men would create a famine. There are men who are absolutely too indolent to seek for salvation, 'tis too much trouble! And there are lazy Christians too; idlers in the Master's vineyard. "A little sleep," etc.

1. Here is a self-indulgent man. This little speech means, "I am comfortable; don't disturb me; let me alone to enjoy myself." This is the wish of many a sinful man. "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion," living purely selfish lives; for self-indulgence may, and generally does, mean selfishness. Self-indulgence is easy. 'Tis easier to give the reins to our appetites than to curb them; to slide than to climb; to please ourselves than to deny ourselves. If we would be men of mark for holiness, usefulness, of eminence either in things temporal or spiritual, we must know something of self-denial. Men who "take it easy" rarely make much headway. Look round amongst Christian workers, business men, great philanthropists, successful inventors, men illustrious or famous in any walk of life; read the biographies of men who have been renowned for any good thing — you will find that they were men of self-denial, not self-indulgent. Moses was a self-denying man; "he esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt"; and Moses prospered; he became very great; he was appointed leader and commander of the people of Israel. The apostles were self-denying men; hear them: "We have left all, and have followed Thee." "A little sleep," etc.

2. Here is a procrastinating man. He does not mean to sleep always, not even for long — only for a little while. He only wants a "little sleep," and then he will be stirring. Think of hours, days, lives, wasted in little delays; of souls lost by little delays! No man deliberately intends to be always a slave to sin, the devil, his own lusts. Not always — no; but just now it is pleasant, convenient. Courage to take now the decisive step — now! To-morrow may never come.

(G. B. Foster.)

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KJV: Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

WEB: Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise;