Proverbs 20:13

Proverbs 20:13 Proverbs

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds Proverbs 20:13, addressing the biblical doctrine of sleep. He clarifies that the command "love not sleep" does not forbid necessary rest, but rather an inordinate love of sleep that hinders one from fulfilling God-given duties. Martin uses the analogy of a car's gas tank to explain that sleep is for replenishing physical and mental reserves, enabling believers to labor with all their might as unto the Lord. He emphasizes the importance of parents teaching their children a biblical doctrine of sleep, lamenting that many adults struggle with responsibility due to a lack of such instruction in their upbringing.

2 illustrations in this sermon

Clarifying the Command: 'Love Not Sleep'

lightbulb example

Elijah's Rest

The point: Do not have an inordinate love of sleep for sleep's sake, sleeping when you ought to be performing other duties.

God putting Elijah to sleep and feeding him illustrates that God provides rest for his worn-out servants, rather than scolding them.

He said he gives to his beloved in sleep. You'll get far more done in eight or ten hours with a refreshed mind and body than in 14 hours with a harried, worn out mind and body. And God himself. When he had a worn out prophet, he didn't scold him, he put him to sleep.

0:44 - 1:03 Read in full sermon

The Purpose of Sleep: Enabling Work and Provision

compare analogy

Filling a Car's Gas Tank

The point: Get off your bed and get your shoes on and get out to work in your field to earn your bread.

The analogy of filling a car's gas tank and stopping when full is used to explain that sleep is for replenishing reserves, and one should stop sleeping once adequately rested to perform duties.

In other words, get off your bed and get your shoes on and get out to work in your field. And then there will be grain enough for your wife to grind into meal in order to make your bread. And as I was trying to think of an illustration, I thought of what we would think if the next time we pulled up to fill up our car with gas. There in the gas station in the do-it-yourself island where most of us will go.

1:31 - 1:59 Read in full sermon

headphones Listen to full sermon