Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in forced labor.
Summary: This proverb outlines a stark choice. We can either rule with God, or serve God’s enemy. There doesn’t seem to be any third option.
Jacob was the son of Isaac, who was the son of Abraham. Jacob fathered twelve sons who became the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel. As he lay on his deathbed, Jacob spoke a prophecy over each of his boys. The prophetic word was not so much for them personally, but spoke to the fate of their descendants to come. This was the prophetic word given to Issachar:
“Issachar is a rawboned donkey
lying down among the sheep pens.
When he sees how good is his resting place
and how pleasant is his land,
he will bend his shoulder to the burden
and submit to forced labor.” (Genesis 49: 14-15)
The intent of the Hebrew word translated as “rawboned” means either “strong” or “gaunt.” Given the context, I lean towards the first, strong. Lying down among the sheep pens is to be in a place that is protected and secure. Such a donkey has nothing to worry about from predators. Safe and strong, Issachar finds the place he has ended up in pleasant. He works hard and appears unwilling to risk defending himself when others come in and take over.
The proverb today says “diligent hands will rule,” but there is no indication of whether such hands are righteous or wicked. It seems like the righteous would be more diligent than the wicked, but we don’t know from this passage.
In many ways, both of these passages seem appropriate for our times. As in the days when Moses led the Israelites through the wilderness, there are malcontents in our society today who are always trying to stir up trouble.
As Christians, we need to be diligent both in our faith and in our work in the world. Jesus tells us, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” (Matthew 5:14, KJV) We are not to withdraw from the world. We are to be the city “on a hill.” We are visible to all and our behavior, what we say and do, reflects what God has done in our own lives.
This is a hard thing. It is very easy to pull the curtain of “religion” across the window of our lives and feel like we have done enough. But God has already shown us what that is like. The Old Testament is a record of what happens when people try to live by religious rules. It doesn’t work. Instead, we are to live in a relationship with our king, Jesus.
Jesus is a king who has “diligent hands.” He came down from his throne in heaven to live among his people. He healed us and fed us. He taught us about his Father from whom all things come (John 13:3). Then he allowed us, his people, to beat him, mock him, and kick him. Our human representatives in those days killed Jesus to get rid of the threat he represented. And they killed him in the most painful and humiliating way possible.
What was this “threat” that Jesus represented?
He revealed people for who they are. Compared to him, the Pharisees looked petty and corrupt, and they didn’t like it. The solution? Get rid of the comparison and throw mud at him in the process. They were being lazy. Rather than engage with their God, they ended up serving God’s enemy.
Application: Don’t be lazy.
Food for Thought: What does a person with “diligent hands” look like today?
What does a person with “diligent hands” look like today?
Sometimes these blogs align perfectly with what is actually going on in my life! I know that is not a coincidence.
Diligent hands continue with their work despite outside distractions. Diligent hands put aside their complaints and focus on the higher purpose. Diligence is like building a stone temple. Each stone it in itself a task, but all the stones have to be placed according to His plan.
James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him”
2 Peter 1:10 “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.”
Chris,
I am delighted that the Master Builder is using this humble blog to encourage you in your walk with Him! I love your illustration about putting a building together. We have to trust the plan and the Planner.
07-25-2022, Proverbs 12:24, What does a person with “diligent hands” look like today?
Great words Chris, there are no coincidences.
Proverbs 10:4, Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
Live as we are led. God’s Word is eternal food for our spirits which grow in power over our flesh as we eat and allow our baby spirits to be nourished. Diligent hands are busy doing God’s will on earth over our own such as wasting time entertaining ourselves watching TV, caring for our own selfish needs over the needs of others.
Diligent hands begin with caring for their family over themselves, and continue branching out to others as they grow in Christ, allow the Holy Spirit to direct their path in life and continue to effectively minister to a greater number of people.
Thank you, Ron.
I have certainly found that to be true in my life.
Great devotion and comments. I think working hard is becoming a bygone value, which is unfortunate. We all respect people who work hard with their hands or work hard period. Jesus worked hard. The Father worked. The Apostles worked hard too. That is a good example to follow.1 Corinthians 4: 12; Acts 20: 35; 1 Timothy 5: 17; Colossians 1: 29; 2 Thessalonians 3: 8 Romans 16: 12; John 5: 17; John 5: 36.
Rich,
I remember reading somewhere that hard work is considered a “Christian” value. So interesting! Socialism, on the other hand, appears to foster shirking. I can say this because of the example given by our own Pilgrims who settled at Plymouth in 1620. For two years they tried to run their colony on the principles of socialism and found that everyone went hungry because most felt it unfair to work for the benefit of others. In the third year they switched to a system of free enterprise and property ownership, and presto!, they suddenly were flooded by an abundance of good things.
(There is a short article on this topic here.)
Very interesting. I did not know this. Thank you.
What does a person with “diligent hands” look like today?
I agree with everyone’s comments
Nice! You are an agreeable person! 🙂