A number of Hebrew words are rendered “thorns,” and it is not easy to know which of the many troublesome and weedlike growths is meant in any particular case. A neglected field is quickly overgrown with vegetation that chokes the crops and that is difficult to eradicate once the weeds have been permitted to spread. The wall too must be kept in good repair if the farm is to be protected against marauding animals (see Isa. 5:1-7).

Some have seen in Solomon’s poem about the sluggard an illustration of a spiritual truth. While the Holy Spirit alone can enable us to overcome sin (DA 671), He can do nothing for us without our consent and cooperation (MB 204). We must go forward in the strength that the Spirit of God imparts, to eradicate the weeds (MH 176; 3T 491). We must also proceed, in the strength of God, to build up a strong wall of obedience to the Ten Commandments (see CT 454).