Proverb for the Day 12:11 — Those Who Work Their Land…Those Who Chase Fantasies!

Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.

Attributed to Solomon (see 10:1), this wise saying is almost identical to Proverbs 28:19 — both contrasting the same two distinctly different MO’s (Latin modus operandi “method of operation”).

There are “those who work their land” and then there are “those who chase fantasies.” It’s not really difficult to see where this proverb is going.

“Those who work their land will have abundant food” is what we would expect to happen. It’s sort of the basis of a better known wise saying “we reap what we sow” (based on Galatians 6:7).

“Will have abundant food” is literally “satisfied with food.” We’ll have enough and, apparently, even feel pretty good about it!

The second phrase is a bit more interesting — “but those who chase fantasies have no sense.”

In contrast to working their land, these folks spend their time and energy “chasing” or pursuing empty “fantasies” that aren’t really there.

A final thought about this verse. In ancient Israel, everyone had their own land to work for their own food. They were all given the chance to produce something meaningful and good for themselves.

I’ll offer an application for us today. We have a similar opportunity to be able to produce and satisfy our own needs, as well.

Like the ancients, we’ve been given our own “land” and the opportunity to have enough of the things that matter to us. So, now, let’s get out there and do something good!