Proverbs 12:27 Finishing what I started

A lazy man does not roast his prey, But the precious possession of a man is diligence. Proverbs 12:27 NASB

Or

A lazy man (Indolence, slothful man, also translated deceit or treachery) does not roast (or catch) his own (or any) game, but the substance of a man is precious when he is diligent.

The Hebrew creates uncertainty for translators. Translating each word separately in its usual sense: “but possession, man’s, precious, diligence.”

Some translators say: The diligent feed on the riches of the hunt; make use of everything they find; they will get precious wealth; and they prize their own possessions. Another idea is: The substance of a diligent man is precious. And others make the the one who is diligent that which is precious: “But a blameless man is a precious possession” or “a hard worker is a valuable treasure.”

There is a lot of play in meaning here. But one certainty is the contrast between laziness and diligence — the foolishness of the one, and the goodness of the other.

When I first read the proverb my mind painted a funny picture. I went hunting, or caught my dinner, but I don’t want to prepare it because it’s too much work. I see a child just old enough to be at the table, but at the end of the day too tired to bring dinner fork to his mouth. It’s like buying a car but not maintaining it. Or letting the leak on my roof wreck and rot my home. Or it’s feeling an ache or pain and then ignoring the early warning system in my body until it’s too late. I am guilty of laziness along with the rest of humanity. Man is constantly brushing up against fatigue and making a choice to NOT do something Knowing I should do something, then doing it is always a value decision. But there is a different level at which some engage in laziness — almost like professional work-avoidance. When considering a task, it means the value of doing the best thing, the right thing, or the expected thing, is not as valuable as staying put. Conserving energy. Not engaging. Rotherham translates it “indolence” or a disposition to avoid exertion, slothful. Inactive.

In contrast, diligence values responsibility. Doing the right thing. What I start, I finish. Both the diligent and his possessions are are prized. And what’s the difference? If I own it, it’s an extension of me. But doing the right thing, cooking my dinner, maintaining my possessions — these are normal. True diligence is above normal. It really is precious. It is a disposition of constant and earnest effort to accomplish (and complete) what was undertaken. It is persistent, both physically and mentally. Diligence is a word which follows something else. There is another requirement which must come first — the application or expression toward a goal. I must choose to undertake something first, then, diligence seeks every possible way to achieve my goal — often at an expense to me personally. For example, in this proverb something compels a man toward hunting and providing, so the normal thing to do would be to dress the game and serve it for dinner. It’s like going to work, who would put in the time without collecting their pay?

When I think of diligence, I see it as a precious character trait of God. He started this world with great intent for man. He has not gotten too tired or lazy to complete what he started, despite the erratic behavior of man whom he loves. If you gave your son a car and he drove it without any regard to it’s future — skipping maintenance, brushing up against traffic barriers and other cars, spouting smoke everywhere, spilling food inside and not cleaning it— would you give him a new one when the first stops working? That’s what people have done with this world. We’ve driven ourselves, through sin, into the ground. Yet, our Father (diligently) offers the promise of a new heaven and earth. And today, he is the picture of diligence in influencing his children toward goodness, godliness, love, humility, grace, and… diligence to finish what we’ve started.

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter [finisher, completer, consumater] of [our] faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2 NASB

Paul writes a poignant picture of how we started, and how God helps us finish:

For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive…then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power…When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.

1 Corinthians 15:21-28 NASB