A Lazy Hunter

Proverbs 12:27, "The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious."

I don't believe in luck. But, if I did, I would have nothing but bad when it comes to hunting. Since it I know God is ordains my steps, it can't be luck that makes me a bad hunter, so that excuse is out the window. I'm not a bad fisherman though. As a preacher, I think that's fine to continue the tradition of the Apostles in doctrine and catching fish. I don't think they caught trout though, but let's not split hairs. But our verse is about hunting and I was beating around the bush to say that if you didn't get a deer this year, the proverb doesn't mean you are lazy. Israel didn't have a DNR back in Solomon's day. And, for people of this time, hunting was not a hobby, but one legitimate and necessary year-round way to put food on the table.

Genesis 27 is the chapter where Jacob steals Esau's blessing in his dirty trick of pretending to be Esau, since Isaac was old, and blind, and could tell them apart. But, one rather trivial and unimportant overlooked detail, is the fact that Isaac told Esau he'd like some venison, "Sure thing Dad," and off he went. And in a relatively short time later, he was back with game killed, cleaned, and cooked. Esau was a cunning hunter, no doubt (Genesis 25:27).

Nimrod, the founder of Babylon, was a mighty hunter and famous for his skills (Genesis 10:9). Prior to Genesis 9:3, everyone was a vegetarian. It wasn't until after the flood that God gave Noah permission to kill and eat meat. I think prior to the flood the vegetation and climate was different, and likely much of the plant life that sustained the pre-flood people couldn't survive in the post-flood world. Maybe Nimrod was the great dinosaur slayer? Who knows. But he was really good at the relatively new occupation. And yes, hunting was a job. Which is the point of the proverb. The slothful man is not going to cook what he didn't go and kill. He's going to have to roll out of bed and go out into the weather and out into the field and be uncomfortable. He's going to have to clean and haul his game back home. He's going to have to do something with the meat and the carcass after. He's not going to enjoy the work of his hands if his hands never do any work. The diligent man is going to enjoy what he has because he worked for it.

In God's universe, the best way to have "good luck" is diligence in your work. But, I don’t believe in luck. The lazy man does though. It's bad luck that keeps him from succeeding. Someone is always out to get him. It's always someone else's fault there is no deer steak for supper.