John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard ? etc.] Or “lie” in bed, indulging in sloth and ease; while the industrious ant is busy in getting in its provisions, even by moonlight, as naturalists observe; when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep ? and be about thy lawful calling? doing the duties of religion, and the business of life; providing things honest in the sight of all men; things necessary for thyself and family, and wherewith to do good to others; exercising a conscience void of offence both to God and men. Time should not be slept away, to the neglect of the affairs of life, nor of the concerns of the immortal soul and a future state; men should not be slothful in things temporal or spiritual: whatever may be the proper time to awake and arise out of sleep in a morning, which seems to be according to a man’s circumstances, health and business; it is always high time for the sinner to awake out of the sleep of sin, and arise from the dead; and for the drowsy saint to arise out of his lethargy and carnal security.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-11 - Diligence in business is every man's wisdom and duty; not so much tha he may attain worldly wealth, as that he may not be a burden to others or a scandal to the church. The ants are more diligent than slothfu men. We may learn wisdom from the meanest insects, and be shamed by them. Habits of indolence and indulgence grow upon people. Thus lif runs to waste; and poverty, though at first at a distance, graduall draws near, like a traveller; and when it arrives, is like an arme man, too strong to be resisted. All this may be applied to the concern of our souls. How many love their sleep of sin, and their dreams of worldly happiness! Shall we not seek to awaken such? Shall we not giv diligence to secure our own salvation?
Original Hebrew עד5704 מתי4970 עצל6102 תשׁכב7901 מתי4970 תקום6965 משׁנתך׃8142
