What does Proverbs 19:15 mean?
Solomon often condemns laziness in his writings, warning about the risks it brings (Proverbs 10:4; 12:24; 18:9; Ecclesiastes 10:18). Here, he compares laziness to someone who is deeply asleep: unaware of their surroundings and accomplishing nothing. Such attitudes put a person at great risk of poverty and hunger (Proverbs 20:4; 23:21). The apostle Paul understood the sacredness of work and the sin of "slothfulness." He advised the church at Thessalonica to exclude giving handouts to those who were capable of work yet chose not to out of laziness. He writes in 2 Thessalonians 3:10: "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat."Work is not always pleasant, but it is beneficial. Even in the garden of Eden, before sin entered humanity, God assigned work to Adam. Genesis 2:15 tells us, "The LORD God took [Adam] and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it." When Adam and Eve sinned, work became difficult and backbreaking. God placed a curse on the ground and told Adam: "In pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life" (Genesis 3:17).
Proverbs 19:8–21 continues Solomon's observations about wisdom and foolishness, a king's wrath, household turmoil, and human plans as compared to divine sovereignty. A theme of these proverbs is the danger of ignoring godly wisdom, while placing too much reliance on one's own ability. A wise person is prudent, diligent, and honest. At the same time, wisdom means realizing that not all plans work out.
Several themes are associated with these statements. Among them are the idea that personal integrity is worth much more than earthly wealth or success. Solomon discusses the unfortunate habit of favoring the rich and dismissing the poor, while commending those who care for the unfortunate. Many references are made to the consequences of foolish behavior, including the shame and punishment such things can bring.
