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Two Kinds of Sons

Proverbs 10:5 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
⁵A son who gathers in summer is prudent,
but a son who sleeps in harvest brings shame.

A son who gathers in summer is prudent: He who gathers (אָגַר agar) is one who is gathering crops from the field at harvest time. (Deut. 28:39) The summer (קַיִץ qayits) is the warmest season of the year, and it is the time when the crops become ripe and need to be harvested. The prudent (שָׂכַל sakal) person is one who is wise, intelligent, has insight, always gaining a better understanding, or progressing successfully toward a goal.

but a son who sleeps in harvest brings shame: Here, sleep (רָדַם radam) in harvest (קָצִיר qatsir) is contrasted with gather in summer. Shame is the consequence of the foolish, lazy son who chooses to sleep when he should be working. Shame (בּוֹשׁ bosh) is the dishonor that the foolish, useless son brings on his family. He has failed his family when they needed him most. The son here is being called upon to enter on the labors of others and gather where they have sown. One who would sleep when the overflowing harvest lies there ready for the reaping sickle is a lazy person in the extreme.

King Solomon’s words to families that harvest crops are meaningful to all of humanity, regardless of the type of work. The harvest season is no time for laziness. It is a time for hard work and long hours. Indeed, it is a time of perseverance and resolves. It is a time of great importance, requiring swift action. All family members have responsibilities, longer hours to work, and an urgency that lasts until the last of the crops are in the storehouse.

Imagine the shame one can bring on themselves by their laziness during this harvest time in the “last days.” (Matt. 28:19-2; 2 Tim. 3:1) Some are asleep during this harvest or are simply busy carrying out their will and purpose instead of the Father’s. (Matt. 7:21-23) Having in mind the harvest, not of crops, but people, Jesus told his disciples: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, beg the Master of the harvest [the Father] to send out workers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:35-38) The harvesting of lives is certainly urgent, meaning more hours to gather in disciples for Christ, so we must remain strong to finish it.