I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.  (Proverbs 24:30-34)

Solomon observed, reflected on, and learned from an unruly vineyard and a dilapidated wall. The wisest man who ever lived understood that he must pay attention to the lesson of the broken-down wall. 

• “The field of the slothful” — It was once a strong fence and a fruitful field. 

The sluggard farmer used to have a fruitful garden and a protective fence to guard it.  The garden and wall protected and fed his family.  God provided soil rich in potential.  He also sent the sun and rain to make the garden flourish.

• “The folding of the hands to sleep” — Natural Decay

 “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:” “By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.”  (Ecclesiastes 10:18)

Being his own worst enemy, the slothful man indulged in earthly desires while his farm declined.  By neglect and lack of upkeep, his life would eventually come to ruin.  No one tore down his wall or planted thorns in his garden.  He failed in life because of his own laziness. 

“The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.”(Proverbs 20:4)

The Christian life is compared in scripture to a garden.  We are instructed in scripture to sow, to plow, and to pluck up thorns.  We should be diligent, like a good farmer, by reading the Bible, praying, and repenting of sins.  We should build and secure good walls of Biblical friendships, church attendance, and family devotions, thereby warding off natural decay. 

• Warning Given – Sluggard Awake!

“So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.”

Awaken from spiritual slumber because “poverty” and “want” approach us like an armed man. Some Christians are diligent in worldly matters but are spiritually sluggish. In the parable of “the rich fool,” Jesus spoke of a man who failed despite his success. The prosperous farmer worked hard to store up “treasure for himself,” yet he was not “rich toward God.” In the end, “poverty” and “want” caught up with him. That farmer heard God say, “Thou fool, tonight thy soul is required of thee!” (Luke 12:20). Solomon observed, reflected, and gained wisdom from an overgrown vineyard and a crumbling wall.