Author: Dave Dishman (Page 182 of 458)

Solomon launched into all sorts of construction projects. As he began work on a temple dedicated to the Lord, he worked a deal with the king of Tyre. Solomon traded vast amounts of grain and olive oil for equally vast loads of cedar, juniper and algum logs.

Next Solomon conscripted labors from across Israel, 153,600 in total. These men cut stone in the hills and carried all the materials back and forth from the various parts of the kingdom. A vast coordinated network dedicated to one magnificent building.

In the midst of all this building Solomon wrote these words: Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.

Solomon understood construction and wrote often of vanity. He knew that all his efforts ultimately depended on the Lord for any lasting influence.

Which is good for me to remember. While I may not build cathedrals, I do manage my career and watch our finances and attempt to live a good life. But to do so without any grounding in the Lord leads to a dead end of my own devices.

If I allow the Lord room to build in my life I may not always understand his methods, but I can confidently expect hopeful results.

Psalm 127 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Callum Hill

In college we joked about the biblical sluggard, especially the line as a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed (Proverbs 26:14). I quoted it to myself on icy winter mornings as I bundled up for a 7:40 am class. True confessions, I occasionally embraced the way of the sluggard and rolled over in bed. Too cold for physics.

It’s one thing to play the sluggard yourself and deal with the consequences. It’s another to depend on a sluggard and face frustration and disappointment. Solomon spoke to those in this situation:

Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.

Not long ago I found myself with a person who needed help, but couldn’t rouse themselves to join me in giving a hand.

I went about my task, all the while wondering, what is this person thinking? The lack of effort galled me—feeling like smoke in my eyes.

The sluggard, the lazy person, constantly annoys those who depend on them. A sluggard might work in some aspects, but only makes an concentrated effort when it benefits them. To go a step beyond and serve someone else proves too difficult. They tend to especially take advantage of friends and family.

It may take a while to understand a sluggard, or to identify such a laggard in your life. But when you do, remember they cannot be counted upon. Find someone else to help, or do the job yourself.

Avoid the frustration and disappointment found in a sluggard’s wake.

Proverbs 10:26 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Ayesh Rathnayake