Examples concerning Proverbs 24:27

[DuckieLady]

"Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house."

How is this applicable to life? What does it mean?

 

[Jay Ross]

"Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house."

How is this applicable to life? What does it mean?

Perhaps reading a little further it will make sense.

Proverbs 24:27-34: -

27 Prepare your outside work,
Make it fit for yourself in the field;
And afterward build your house.

28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause,
For would you deceive with your lips?
29 Do not say, "I will do to him just as he has done to me;
I will render to the man according to his work."

30 I went by the field of the lazy man,
And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding;
31 And there it was, all overgrown with thorns;
Its surface was covered with nettles;
Its stone wall was broken down.
32 When I saw it, I considered it well;
I looked on it and received instruction:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest;
34 So shall your poverty come like a prowler,
And your need like an armed man.​

NKJV​

Perhaps what we are being told in verse 27 is to do your work in its proper order. Prepare your fields so that the soil can provide all of your needs year in year out. Then when you have established yourself, then build your "house" which protects your "household's" connection with God.

Shalom

 

[DuckieLady]

Perhaps reading a little further it will make sense.

Proverbs 24:27-34: -

27 Prepare your outside work,
Make it fit for yourself in the field;
And afterward build your house.

28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause,
For would you deceive with your lips?
29 Do not say, "I will do to him just as he has done to me;
I will render to the man according to his work."

30 I went by the field of the lazy man,
And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding;
31 And there it was, all overgrown with thorns;
Its surface was covered with nettles;
Its stone wall was broken down.
32 When I saw it, I considered it well;
I looked on it and received instruction:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest;
34 So shall your poverty come like a prowler,
And your need like an armed man.​

NKJV​

Perhaps what we are being told in verse 27 is to do your work in its proper order. Prepare your fields so that the soil can provide all of your needs year in year out. Then when you have established yourself, then build your "house" which protects your "household's" connection with God.

Shalom

This is a good interpretation, too. I like this one.

My understanding is similar; to prepare your outside work, build an income to live off, and then you'll have the house. But prioritize first.

Proverbs 31:16

"She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard."

I already have my hands full

 

[DuckieLady]

I read a little story today that said, and I'm paraphrasing, a group of villagers suffering a drought prayed for rain, but only one little boy brought an umbrella. And by doing so, he showed faith.

Then I found another one by coincidence.

Two farmers went to the Lord and each prayed for rain, but only one went out and he prepared his field. He was ready to receive. And, the rain, he received.

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24

 

[Robert Gwin]

"Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house."

How is this applicable to life? What does it mean?

Sorry for the length maam, here is what we feel it means: In giving advice to a young man, the writer of Proverbs states: “Prepare your work out of doors, and make it ready for yourself in the field. Afterward you must also build up your household.” What point is being made in this inspired proverb? That a man should prepare properly before he gets married and starts his own family, recognizing the responsibilities that come with such a commitment.

In the past, this verse has sometimes been explained as meaning that a husband and father must not only care for his secular work but also work to build up, or encourage, his family, for example by means of spiritual instruction. While that thought is certainly true and Scriptural, it does not seem to be the thrust of this verse. Why not? Consider two reasons.


First, the verse is not talking about building up in the sense of encouraging, or strengthening, an existing family. Rather, the idea is literally to build a house. The word rendered “build up” may also be figurative, in the sense of building, or establishing, a household—that is, marrying and having children.
Second, the verse emphasizes doing things in proper order, as if to say, “First you do this; then you do that.” So, then, could the proverb be suggesting that secular responsibilities come before spiritual ones? Certainly not!

In Bible times, if a man wanted to “build up [his] household,” or establish a family by getting married, he needed to ask himself, ‘Am I ready to care for and support a wife and any children we may later have?’ Before starting a family, he had work to do, caring for his fields or crops. Thus, Today’s English Version pointedly renders this verse: “Don’t build your house and establish a home until your fields are ready, and you are sure that you can earn a living.” Does the same principle apply today?
Yes. A man who wants to marry needs to prepare properly for that responsibility. If he is physically able, he will have to work. Of course, a man’s hard work in caring for his family should not be limited to physical matters. God’s Word indicates that a man who does not care for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of his family is worse than one without faith! (1 Tim. 5:8) Hence, in preparing for marriage and family life, a young man should ask himself such questions as these: ‘Am I reasonably prepared to provide materially for a family? Am I ready to be the spiritual head of a household? Will I fulfill the responsibility of conducting a regular Bible study with my wife and children?’ God’s Word certainly stresses those vital responsibilities.—Deut. 6:6-8; Eph. 6:4.

So a young man who seeks a wife should think carefully about the principle found at Proverbs 24:27. Likewise, a young woman does well to ask herself if she is prepared for the responsibilities of being a wife and mother. A young couple may ask similar questions when thinking about the possibility of raising children. (Luke 14:28) Living by such inspired guidance can help God’s people to avoid much heartache and to enjoy a rewarding family life.

 

[DuckieLady]

Sorry for the length maam, here is what we feel it means: In giving advice to a young man, the writer of Proverbs states: “Prepare your work out of doors, and make it ready for yourself in the field. Afterward you must also build up your household.” What point is being made in this inspired proverb? That a man should prepare properly before he gets married and starts his own family, recognizing the responsibilities that come with such a commitment.

In the past, this verse has sometimes been explained as meaning that a husband and father must not only care for his secular work but also work to build up, or encourage, his family, for example by means of spiritual instruction. While that thought is certainly true and Scriptural, it does not seem to be the thrust of this verse. Why not? Consider two reasons.


First, the verse is not talking about building up in the sense of encouraging, or strengthening, an existing family. Rather, the idea is literally to build a house. The word rendered “build up” may also be figurative, in the sense of building, or establishing, a household—that is, marrying and having children.
Second, the verse emphasizes doing things in proper order, as if to say, “First you do this; then you do that.” So, then, could the proverb be suggesting that secular responsibilities come before spiritual ones? Certainly not!

In Bible times, if a man wanted to “build up [his] household,” or establish a family by getting married, he needed to ask himself, ‘Am I ready to care for and support a wife and any children we may later have?’ Before starting a family, he had work to do, caring for his fields or crops. Thus, Today’s English Version pointedly renders this verse: “Don’t build your house and establish a home until your fields are ready, and you are sure that you can earn a living.” Does the same principle apply today?
Yes. A man who wants to marry needs to prepare properly for that responsibility. If he is physically able, he will have to work. Of course, a man’s hard work in caring for his family should not be limited to physical matters. God’s Word indicates that a man who does not care for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of his family is worse than one without faith! (1 Tim. 5:8) Hence, in preparing for marriage and family life, a young man should ask himself such questions as these: ‘Am I reasonably prepared to provide materially for a family? Am I ready to be the spiritual head of a household? Will I fulfill the responsibility of conducting a regular Bible study with my wife and children?’ God’s Word certainly stresses those vital responsibilities.—Deut. 6:6-8; Eph. 6:4.

So a young man who seeks a wife should think carefully about the principle found at Proverbs 24:27. Likewise, a young woman does well to ask herself if she is prepared for the responsibilities of being a wife and mother. A young couple may ask similar questions when thinking about the possibility of raising children. (Luke 14:28) Living by such inspired guidance can help God’s people to avoid much heartache and to enjoy a rewarding family life.

Very interesting! Never thought of it that way.

Thank you!

 

[Robert Gwin]

Very interesting! Never thought of it that way.

Thank you!

You are very welcome, not saying we are right or wrong, it is a difficult passage to understand, but that is our explanation of it. I guess time will reveal the truth of the matter.

 

[Mark51]

"Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house."

How is this applicable to life? What does it mean?

I believe that this counseling is directed toward men that contemplate becoming married or already are. According to Almighty God, there is material and spiritual responsibilities required of men that make such commitment.

Do such men have a secure job and would it be sustainable to support a dwelling, a wife and future children. However, this is not limited physical/material matters. Men also need to care for the emotional and spiritual needs of their families. (1Timothy 5:8) Compare: Ephesians 6:4; Luke 14:28.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

Put your outdoor work in order

“Put your outdoor work in order” makes me think of “wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.” One application to life could be those beasts and the difference of instead the Son in whom The Father is well pleased? Hebrews 13:11-14 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. [12] Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. [13] Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. [14] For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

“put your outdoor work in order”
Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. [7] Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

and get your fields ready;

“…get your fields ready”

John 4:34-35 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. [35] Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

This is a good interpretation, too. I like this one.

My understanding is similar; to prepare your outside work, build an income to live off, and then you'll have the house. But prioritize first.

Proverbs 31:16

"She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard."

I already have my hands full

You said “I already have my hands full”
To me it isn’t talking about being wealthy by this worlds definition of wealth, but instead towards God.

prepare
Then you will have a house? consider “prepared”
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created (prepared?) in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

[Bob Estey]

"Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house."

How is this applicable to life? What does it mean?

Off the top of my head: Start with the foundation, metaphorically speaking?

 

[MatthewG]

Hello to you reader,

Build your house on Christ and God will supply you with what you need, spiritually and enough to materially get by.

My mother had worked since the age of 14. Up till recently she has worked 6 days a week at nearly 60 years old. She has slowed down now. She worked two job most of her life and raised three children with sometimes help from family members though rarely. My brother and sister moved out at very young age. My mother is still poor but has enough income to support her life style and to rent a house for herself being a unmarried or considerable widow since the death of my dad in 2010. He was never around in my life seeing him only two or three times.

I know a man with no children and is 70 years old. I know a woman who watches many children with no husband though lives with family. Each of them have a roof over there heads and a car to drive. Once seen a woman who was somewhere in her 40s one night and shared she got her drivers license at an addicts for Christ meeting.

Of these three people, one is a Muslim, the other two Christian, and one had three miscarriages.

In life one has to make an effort to get a drivers license, there are people wiling to help you in return expecting nothing back. That also means making effort in building upon the already laid foundation of Christ with building a house on the chief cornerstone, as your support.

Putting God first, seeking out to live your life in abundance spiritually, and also meeting your physical needs to, such as work to feed oneself and family.

Putting others second, having love, compassion and mercy.

Putting yourself last, but doing the same as the second.

Some may get to be married and have families, some may not. The reality is what would God desire to see you do? Serve him, love him, first, love and serve others in faith with grace and truth found in Christ.

In love,
Matthew Gallagher

 

[post]

"Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house."

How is this applicable to life? What does it mean?

well i mean have you ever farmed?
in that application it's pretty obvious.
what good is it to spend your afternoon cleaning up your kitchen, only to miss the planting or harvest and have no food to fill that kitchen with?
and you can see this the same way with any job - unless you go and work at that job, all you will have at your home is a pile of bills.
that lazy man later in the chapter whose walls were broken down and whose fields were overgrown - he probably had a really comfy couch tho, ya know?

the spiritual application of this is deep, but rather than wearying you with words, let me put just this one, for now, and i think you will begin to put it together:

Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
(1 Corinthians 10:24)​

 

[post]

27 Prepare your outside work,
Make it fit for yourself in the field;
And afterward build your house.

28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause,
For would you deceive with your lips?
29 Do not say, "I will do to him just as he has done to me;
I will render to the man according to his work."

we must ask ourselves why vv. 28-29 are the absolutely perfect thing to say immediately after v.27

=]

being a false witness against someone is the opposite of making fit your field -
repaying evil for evil is neglecting your outside work & tearing down your house.