YOU SLOTH!!!

A sloth is a mammal noted for its sluggishness. Its name is derived from the Middle English word slouthe, which means “lazy.” When we hear the word “slothful,” we often imagine a person who moves very slowly — an indolent individual who wants to avoid activity any chance they can get.

Interestingly, the word “slothful” in this verse from Solomon’s writings does not only mean “lazy” or “idle.” The Hebrew word is רְמִיָּה (rmiyah), which could mean several things, including “deceit,” “treachery,” “false,” “guile,” and “neglectful” among others.

The slothful man here is not completely idle. After all, he was able to hunt for game. However, his slothfulness will keep him from roasting what he had hunted. He will make a catch because he’s hungry, but he is too lazy to build a fire and cook a meal so he can eat.

But here’s the thing about sloths (the mammal). They are stealthy. They move at such a slow pace so as not to attract attention. Just like the man who uses stealth to deceive those around him.

He is too lazy to cook his own meal, so he will use deceit to survive. He will use treachery to appear busy and productive, all the while avoiding pressing issues that truly matter — his hunger — and the hunger of the people who depend on him.

The slothful man possesses the capacity to hunt and secure sustenance, demonstrating a glimmer of capability within him. Yet, his inability to transcend his slothful tendencies encapsulates a tragic irony.

Despite his initial effort, he stumbles at the crucial juncture where action transforms into fruition. In his inertia, he retreats into a realm of deception and evasion, masking his negligence under the guise of busyness.

Don’t be a sloth. Hunt for food and actually cook it!