The sloth lives in the tropics of Central and South America and is among the strangest of all animals. A full-grown sloth is about two feet long and has almost no tail or ears. Its hair is long and coarse, but its face is bare. It has a blunt nose on a head that doesn’t seem to have any neck. Some species can turn their heads almost completely around without moving their bodies, which suits this sluggish creature just fine since it will sometimes stay in the same spot all day.
No wonder the Bible doesn’t have anything good to say about the sloth. In fact, our opening verse indicates that it is shameful for people to be like these lazy creatures. Another verse cautions, “Slothfulness [casts] into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger” (Proverbs 19:1515Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. (Proverbs 19:15)). Perhaps the Creator allowed the sloth to have its lazy habits to give us an example of what is displeasing to Him. Instead of slothfulness, we are instructed, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might” (Ecclesiastes 9:1010Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. (Ecclesiastes 9:10)).
The sloth lives among the trees of the tropics where it hangs upside down most of the time, using its three sharp claws on each foot to securely grip a branch. After sleeping this way, it is quite content to spend its waking hours in the same position, slowly munching leaves, buds and young twigs within its reach. Because it seldom moves, it is well hidden from its enemies. The sloth occasionally comes down to the ground where it moves clumsily about, but very soon it climbs back up the tree to its lazy way of life.
Unlike most other animals, the sloth doesn’t bother to groom itself. As a result, its hair becomes the home of numerous bugs, ticks and moths, and some even have a growth of green algae on their hair. This certainly is not an animal you would want for a pet!
This creature is an illustration of how bad habits and laziness are used by Satan to produce the ugly stains of sin that leave their mark on many people. But, thank the Lord, all who come to the Lord Jesus Christ can be washed clean from their sins. In 1 John 1:7,97But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) we read this wonderful message: “The blood of Jesus Christ [God’s] Son [cleanses] us from all sin. . . . If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Certainly the sloth is a sad example of laziness. How much better it is to please the Lord by obeying His request: “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Colossians 3:2323And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; (Colossians 3:23)).
ML-08/04/2002