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Proverbs 15:19
The way of the slothfulman is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteousis made plain.

Proverbs 26:13-16
The slothfulman saith,There is a lion in the way; a lionis in the streets…

Numbers 13:32,33
And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it,is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in itare men of a great stature…

“There is a lion outside!
This part of the verse highlights the irrational excuses made by the slacker to avoid work. In ancient Israel, lions were indeed present in the region, as noted in1 Samuel 17:34-37, where David recounts his encounters with lions while shepherding. However, the likelihood of encountering a lion in the streets was minimal, making this an exaggerated excuse. This reflects the tendency of the slacker to create unrealistic fears to justify inaction, a behavior that can be seen as a metaphor for avoiding spiritual responsibilities.

I will be slain in the streets!”
The slacker's claim of being slain in the streets further illustrates the absurdity of his excuse. Streets in ancient cities were typically bustling with activity, making it an unlikely place for a lion attack. This hyperbolic statement underscores the slacker's avoidance of duty and responsibility. Biblically, this can be connected to the idea of spiritual sloth, where one avoids the call to live out their faith actively. The New Testament echoes this sentiment, urging believers to be vigilant and active in their faith (1 Thessalonians 5:6). The slacker's fear of being slain can also be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual death that results from a life of inaction and neglect of one's duties.

• The verse opens by identifying the speaker as “the slacker,” a person habitually avoiding work (cf.Proverbs 10:4; 21:25).

• Scripture consistently contrasts diligence with laziness: “The hand of the diligent will rule” (Proverbs 12:24), while “Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep” (Proverbs 19:15).

• By recording the slacker’s words, the proverb exposes how excuses arise from a heart unwilling to obey God’s call to responsible labor (seeColossians 3:23–24).

• The claim sounds dramatic, butProverbs 26:13 repeats the same excuse, underscoring its absurdity.

• Laziness often magnifies potential difficulties into insurmountable dangers: “The sluggard does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks but finds nothing” (Proverbs 20:4).

• God’s Word teaches prudent awareness of real danger (Proverbs 22:3), yet this imaginary lion illustrates fear used as a smokescreen to justify inaction.

• The slacker heightens the excuse, predicting certain death if he ventures out. The exaggeration reveals his unwillingness, not genuine threat.

• Jesus warns against such paralyzing fear: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:27).

• Faith trusts God’s protection while acting responsibly (Psalm 121:7–8), whereas sloth hides behind worst-case scenarios to avoid obedience.

Proverbs 22:13 unmasks the lazy person’s habit of manufacturing wild excuses to dodge duty. Instead of honest work and trusting God’s care, the slacker dramatizes imagined dangers. The verse challenges believers to reject exaggerated fears, embrace diligent labor, and walk by faith, confident that God blesses obedience and industry.