The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. The way of the slackerThe term "slacker" in Hebrew is "עָצֵל" (atsel), which is often translated as "lazy" or "slothful." This word conveys a sense of neglect and lack of diligence. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a slacker would be someone who fails to fulfill their responsibilities, whether in agriculture, trade, or family duties. The "way" suggests a lifestyle or habitual pattern of behavior. The slacker's life is marked by procrastination and avoidance of hard work, leading to unfulfilled potential and missed opportunities. This serves as a warning against complacency and encourages a life of purpose and diligence. is like a hedge of thorns
A "hedge of thorns" symbolizes obstacles and difficulties. In ancient times, thorn bushes were often used as barriers to protect fields and properties, but they also represented hindrances when encountered unexpectedly. For the slacker, life becomes unnecessarily complicated and painful, as their lack of effort results in self-imposed barriers. This imagery suggests that laziness leads to a life filled with challenges that could have been avoided through diligence and foresight. The thorns are a metaphor for the consequences of neglect and the entanglements that arise from a lack of discipline. but the path of the upright
The "upright" in Hebrew is "יָשָׁר" (yashar), meaning straight, right, or just. This term is often used to describe those who live in accordance with God's laws and principles. The "path" indicates a journey or course of life that is chosen with intention and integrity. The upright person is characterized by honesty, moral integrity, and a commitment to righteousness. In the biblical context, such a person aligns their life with divine wisdom, leading to a life that is blessed and favored by God. is a highway
A "highway" in ancient times was a well-maintained road that facilitated travel and commerce. It represents ease, progress, and unobstructed movement. For the upright, life is like a highway, suggesting that their integrity and diligence lead to a smooth and prosperous journey. This imagery contrasts sharply with the hedge of thorns, highlighting the benefits of living a life aligned with God's will. The highway symbolizes divine favor and the blessings that come from living a life of righteousness and purpose. It encourages believers to pursue a path of integrity, promising that such a life will be marked by clarity, direction, and divine provision. Persons / Places / Events 1. The SlackerThis term refers to a lazy or idle person who avoids work and responsibility. In the Hebrew text, the word used is (atsel), which conveys the idea of sluggishness or laziness. 2. The UprightThis refers to a person who is righteous, morally straight, and diligent in their ways. The Hebrew word (yashar) is used, meaning straight or right. 3. Hedge of ThornsThis metaphor represents obstacles and difficulties that arise due to laziness. In ancient times, a hedge of thorns would be a barrier that is difficult and painful to pass through. 4. HighwayThis symbolizes a clear, smooth, and direct path, representing the ease and progress that come with righteousness and diligence. Teaching Points The Consequences of LazinessLaziness leads to a life filled with unnecessary obstacles and hardships. Just as a hedge of thorns can entangle and hinder progress, so does a lack of diligence in one's life. The Rewards of Righteousness and DiligenceLiving uprightly and working diligently creates a smooth path, akin to a highway, allowing for progress and success in life. Moral and Spiritual ImplicationsThe contrast between the slacker and the upright is not just about work ethic but also about moral and spiritual integrity. The upright live in alignment with God's will, which leads to a blessed and prosperous life. Practical Steps to Avoid LazinessCultivate discipline and a strong work ethic. Set goals and pursue them with perseverance, trusting in God's guidance and strength. Encouragement for the UprightThose who walk in righteousness can expect God's favor and a clear path, even amidst life's challenges. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the metaphor of a "hedge of thorns" help us understand the consequences of laziness in our own lives? 2. In what ways can we cultivate the characteristics of the "upright" in our daily routines and spiritual practices? 3. How do the teachings in Proverbs 15:19 relate to the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30? 4. What are some practical steps you can take to transform areas of "slackness" in your life into a "highway" of diligence and righteousness? 5. How can the community of believers support each other in overcoming laziness and pursuing a path of righteousness? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 6:6-11This passage contrasts the sluggard with the industrious ant, emphasizing the importance of diligence and preparation. Proverbs 13:4This verse highlights the desires of the sluggard versus the diligence of the diligent, showing the rewards of hard work. Hebrews 12:1This New Testament verse encourages believers to run the race set before them with perseverance, shedding any hindrances, akin to the clear path of the upright. People Abaddon, SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Becomes, Blocked, Briers, Hater, Hedge, Hedged, Highway, Lazy, Level, Overgrown, Patch, Path, Plain, Raised, Righteous, Road, Round, Slothful, Sluggard, Thorn, Thorns, Though, Upright, WorkerDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 15:19 4520 thorns
5336 highway
5343 idleness
5505 roads
5539 sluggard Library God, the All-Seeing One
A sermon (No. 177) delivered on Sabbath morning, February 14, 1858 At The Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens by C. H. Spurgeon. "Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?" -- Proverbs 15:11. You have often smiled at the ignorance of heathens who bow themselves before gods of wood and stone. You have quoted the words of Scripture and you have said, "Eyes have they, but they see not; ears have they, but they hear not." You have therefore argued that …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on ProverbsThe Hedge of Thorns and the Plain Way
A sermon (No. 1948) delivered at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain."--Proverbs 15:19. You must have noticed how frequently godly people almost wear out their Bibles in certain places. The Psalms, the Gospel of John, and parts of the Epistles are favourite portions, and are thumbed in many an old believer's Bible till the fact is very noticeable. There are certain sheep-tracks …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs God, the All-Seeing One
We have in our text, first of all, a great fact declared,--"Hell and destruction are before the Lord ;" we have, secondly, a great fact inferred,--"How much more then the hearts of the children of men?" I. We will begin with THE GREAT FACT WHICH IS DECLARED--a fact which furnishes us with premises from which we deduce the practical conclusion of the second sentence--"How much more then the hearts of the children of men?" The best interpretation that you can give of those two words, "hell" and "destruction," …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858 How the Humble and the Haughty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 18.) Differently to be admonished are the humble and the haughty. To the former it is to be insinuated how true is that excellence which they hold in hoping for it; to the latter it is to be intimated how that temporal glory is as nothing which even when embracing it they hold not. Let the humble hear how eternal are the things that they long for, how transitory the things which they despise; let the haughty hear how transitory are the things they court, how eternal the things they …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great And He had Also this Favour Granted Him. ...
66. And he had also this favour granted him. For as he was sitting alone on the mountain, if ever he was in perplexity in his meditations, this was revealed to him by Providence in prayer. And the happy man, as it is written, was taught of God [1112] . After this, when he once had a discussion with certain men who had come to him concerning the state of the soul and of what nature its place will be after this life, the following night one from above called him, saying, Antony, rise, go out and look.' …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius Epistle cxxii. To Rechared, King of the visigoths .
To Rechared, King of the Visigoths [82] . Gregory to Rechared, &c. I cannot express in words, most excellent son, how much I am delighted with thy work and thy life. For on hearing of the power of a new miracle in our days, to wit that the whole nation of the Goths has through thy Excellency been brought over from the error of Arian heresy to the firmness of a right faith, one is disposed to exclaim with the prophet, This is the change wrought by the right hand of the Most High (Ps. lxxvi. 11 [83] …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Contention Over the Man Born Blind.
(Jerusalem.) ^D John IX. 1-41. [Some look upon the events in this and the next section as occurring at the Feast of Tabernacles in October, others think they occurred at the Feast of Dedication in December, deriving their point of time from John x. 22.] ^d 1 And as he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. [The man probably sought to waken compassion by repeatedly stating this fact to passers-by.] 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel "And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life "Now the End of the Commandment," &C.
1 Tim. i. 5.--"Now the end of the commandment," &c. We come now, as was proposed, to observe, Thirdly,(474) That faith unfeigned is the only thing which gives the answer of a good conscience towards God. Conscience, in general, is nothing else but a practical knowledge of the rule a man should walk by, and of himself in reference to that rule. It is the laying down a man's state, and condition, and actions beside the rule of God's word, or the principles of nature's light. It is the chief piece …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning "Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." All men love to have privileges above others. Every one is upon the design and search after some well-being, since Adam lost that which was true happiness. We all agree upon the general notion of it, but presently men divide in the following of particulars. Here all men are united in seeking after some good; something to satisfy their souls, and satiate their desires. Nay, but they …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of the Eleventh
An unfinished commentary on the Bible, found among the author's papers after his death, in his own handwriting; and published in 1691, by Charles Doe, in a folio volume of the works of John Bunyan. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR Being in company with an enlightened society of Protestant dissenters of the Baptist denomination, I observed to a doctor of divinity, who was advancing towards his seventieth year, that my time had been delightfully engaged with John Bunyan's commentary on Genesis. "What," …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
OR, A DISCOURSE TOUCHING PRAYER; WHEREIN IS BRIEFLY DISCOVERED, 1. WHAT PRAYER IS. 2. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT. 3. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO. WRITTEN IN PRISON, 1662. PUBLISHED, 1663. "For we know not what we should pray for as we ought:--the Spirit--helpeth our infirmities" (Rom 8:26). ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. There is no subject of more solemn importance to human happiness than prayer. It is the only medium of intercourse with heaven. "It is …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, first, Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life 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 Links Proverbs 15:19 NIVProverbs 15:19 NLTProverbs 15:19 ESVProverbs 15:19 NASBProverbs 15:19 KJV
Proverbs 15:19 Commentaries
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