Bread. The Bible speaks figuratively, as a term for something of which people “partake.” Here are examples of The types of Bread we can partake of:
Partake of Scripture Reference
Bread of Adversity Isaiah 30:20
Bread of Sorrows Psalm 127:2
Bread of Wickedness Proverbs 4:17
Bread of Affliction 1 Kings 22:27
Bread of Tears Psalm 80:5
Bread of Idleness Proverbs 31:27
Bread of Deceit Proverbs 20:17
Bread of Life John 6:35
Scriptures for Proverbs 31 Study (Week 10)
Prov. 31:27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Prov. 13:1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
Observations:
1. When we don't watch over the affairs/ways of our household, we are eating the bread of idleness.
2. Heeding what God says is important in wise living.
Application: When I think of bread of idleness, I think of its opposite which is eating the bread of life which is Jesus Christ. When I think of idle, I think of lazy, opposite of diligent, using time for unproductive, useless activities. God's Word directs our steps.
There are many who say that if you are outside your home for errands or fun activities for your children more than once a week that you are being idle. I would say that there are many women who are staying home all day that are idle too. Either account could be idle. I am still growing in being a homemaker/nest builder. There are weeks, I do too much outside the home with our son. There are weeks, I am home too much. It is not whether or not you are home or not at home that makes you idle.
We have found for us that if we have a set routine for when we are outside the home it works best. For me, it is usually around 10:30-1:30. We pack a picnic lunch and go to our zoo, discovery center, musical program, reading programs. This time is intentional for many reasons: (1) to have really focused play time outside the home with my child; (2) for my son to be in the community with others; (3) meeting others and sharing the light of Christ in the way we live and speak. We are making relationships and sharing love. (4) to expose my son to activities and learning experiences that he may have an interest in. We also practice Bible verses and discuss lessons as we walk through our Discovery Center or Zoo. We do educational activities based on programs we attended in our Community. More importantly, we are building relationships and letting Jesus' light shine wherever we go.
However, if things in my house are not getting done, then it is important for me to decrease activities for a time. If I am outside the house and not using things as learning experiences but always just for entertainment the I know I have turned to bread of idleness. Another area for me that is idleness is reading facebook updates. I try to do that only once or twice a week and set a very short time limit. I mostly go on to send a message or post something. Lately, I stopped reading so many books as I realized I just want to keep learning and then I stop doing. I also tend to type schedules and search for new activities so I try to set limits as too much time starts to make it the bread of idleness.
Prayer: Lord let me make good use of the time allotted as time is short. May I learn to number my days and rejoice in them. May my days be fruitful and may you be glorified. Thank you Lord that you are the bread of life that gives abundant life in Jesus.
