In Proverbs 6 wisdom directly connects poverty and scarcity with the sleep, slumber and
resting of the sluggard.

Wisdom advises men to model themselves after the ant whose drive to work is not motivated by an overseer and whose need to prepare for winter is not neglected during the pleasant summer and fall season. Instead, the ant works without supervision and prepares without distraction.

The references to poverty coming on the sluggard “like a thief” and “like an armed man” might better be translated (according to Albright and noted by Garrett) as “homeless vagabond” and “beggar.” This is because the Hebrew word translated “thief” means a man who “walks about,” which seems more like a homeless man than a thief. The Hebrew word translated by the NIV as “an armed man” includes the Hebrew word meaning “beg.” It is easier to justify the translation of “beggar” here instead of “man of a shield,” or “armed man.” The idea is that poverty is like a homeless man who has nowhere to go. And, scarcity is like a beggar who can never be given enough since his only source of provision is continual begging. Homelessness and begging are the destiny of the sluggard who will not diligently work hard.

The sculpted creatures on the Ark of the Covenant were most likely very similar to the winged sphinxes that are found at holy sites, temples, shrines and palaces as guardians of entrances.