Bridges on Proverbs 20:4
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 20:4
 
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4.  The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. {cold: or, winter}
 
Again (Chapter 19:15, 24) are we instructed by a vivid picture of a most baneful vice. The sluggard always has his excuses ready to shift off any work, that requires exertion. He will not plow by reason of the cold; although the season (our autumn) offered no hindrance, where the heart was in the work. And does not the most trifling difficulty hinder, where the heart is cold in the service of God? Let the professor ask himself — Have his prayers during his whole life cost him exercise answering to one hour's plowing? What has he given to God but the shadow of duties, when the world has had his full glow and energy? The flesh flinches from suffering; and even, under the wakefulness of temporary conviction, the heart is “sorrowful” at the requisitions of Christianity, which it cannot admit.† Farewell heaven for ever, if it must be obtained at such a cost. How affecting is the contrast between our work for Christ, and his work for us — We grudging exercise for him; He so filled with the absorbing interest of his work — “How am I straightened till it be accomplished!” (Luke 12:50.)
But the sluggard must reap the fruit of his sin. If he will not plow in the seed-time, he cannot reap in harvest. At that happy season — the recompense of the laborer's toil — he shall beg, and have nothing. ‘Men's hearts are justly hardened against that man, who by his own sloth and sinfulness hath brought himself to want.’† And what else can the spiritual sluggard look for? The cold keeps him heartlessly from the house of God. His soul is therefore perishing for lack of good. If wishing would secure heaven, who would miss it? But heartless wishes, without the crucifixion of the flesh, will stop short of the promise. Millions have perished in serious religion, from want of diligence and self-sacrificing devotedness. And what will it be to beg in the great harvest, and beg in vain;† then to have all wicked excuses silenced, and the fearful doom pronounced upon the unprofitable servant!†
Christian professor! is it time to stand idle, when we stand at the door of eternity? — to be slack, when so near our great salvation? (Romans 13:11.) ‘Blessed are those, who have sown much for God in their lifetime. Oh! the glorious harvest that those shall have! The very angels shall help them to take in their harvest at the great day. And oh! the joy that there shall be in that harvest! The angels will help to sing the harvest-song, that they shall sing, who have been sowers of righteousness!’†
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 19:15, 24
15 ¶ Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. 24 ¶ A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
 
 
Footnote:
Matthew 19:21, 22. The shrinking from the cold — (as Melancthon observes in his brief comment on this verse) — is the avoiding the cross.
 
 
Matthew 19:21, 22
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
 
 
Luke 12:50
50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! {straitened: or, pained}
 
 
Footnote:
Poole's Annotations.
 
 
Footnote:
Matthew 25:3-9. Luke 16:24.
 
 
Matthew 25:3-9
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. {gone out: or, going out} 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
 
Luke 16:24
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
 
 
Footnote:
Matthew 25:26-30.
 
 
Matthew 25:26-30
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
 
 
Romans 13:11
11 ¶ And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
 
 
Footnote:
Burroughs on Hosea 10:12.
 
 
Hosea 10:12
12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.