Proverbs 26:13

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about laziness:

Proverbs 26:13 (ESV)

The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!

There is a lion in the streets!”

This proverb is almost identical to Proverbs 22:13.    

Proverbs 22:13 (ESV)

The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!

I shall be killed in the streets!”

We can find an excuse to get out of everything. But, a lion in the street, in the front yard? You are kidding, right? This proverb gives us a tongue-in-cheek look at the life of a lazy man. They see any excuse as a reason to avoid life. Even if they have to see danger when there isn't danger. Don't get me wrong, a lion in the field or in the area during Biblical times is a true, real life experience. However, what we see here, is that the "lion" is somewhere near the entrance of the city and/or the "square" - a place where business usually takes place. Now that would be unusal. What we see here is the sluggard finding a reason to avoid business and commerce. The truth of the matter is, that if you don't want to work it isn't hard to find a reason not to. Lazy people won't overcome a lion. The lion, is really an opportunity for food. We need to realize that the lion is a source of sustenance as much as danger. Don't look for a reason to not work. They are not that hard. Look, however, at problems as opportunities.