11 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies lack judgement.
I am finally enjoying some delicious tomato sandwiches, (complete with Dukes mayonnaise), compliments from my summer garden. Big Boy red tomatoes, Cherokee Heritage purple tomatoes, and handfuls of cherry tomatoes are being harvested from my garden each week. In Proverbs 12:11, this verse talks about the importance of preparing the land for the eventual harvest. In their book, Proverbs: Living Wisely, Loving Well, Alicia and Eric Porterfield share the following:
In the agrarian society to which Israel’s proverbs are addressed, people receive or reject God’s gift of work by their attention/inattention to the land and the rhythm of the seasons. “The lazy person does not plow in season…,” refusing to respect and abide by the God-given timetable of when to plow, and as a result “harvest comes, and there is nothing to be found” (Proverbs 20:4). It makes no difference how ready and willing one is to work at harvest time if one has neglected the timely work of plowing, as there will be no harvest to bring in.
Wise people adhere closely to the seasons and structure their lives around the rhythm God has established in creation. The logic of creation says, “Those who till their land will have plenty of food, but those who follow worthless pursuits have no sense” (Proverbs 12:11). It makes no sense to neglect the land from which God provides our daily bread in favor of worthless pursuits that leave our plates empty. In our own day, this proverb calls us to give attention to the “land” God has given us, “tilling the soil” in our homes, schools, workplaces, and churches, working hard in our God-given environments.
The path of diligence and disciplined hard work is actually the easier path. Those who consistently “till the soil” where they are, giving attention each day to the little things that compose the life of their households, workplaces, and churches, enter God’s rhythm of work and rest and play and often inhabit lives of abundance and joy. The hard work is life-giving and energizing.
May we be wise people, tilling the soil in our homes, schools, workplaces and churches.
Matt