In the last days, believers must remain alert. There is no time for sleeping. For it is while believers sleep that the enemy works most effectively. Even the Lord Jesus acknowledged the great need of the day when He said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). Just as it was in the days of Gideon (Judges 7:5-7), the Lord wants soldiers who are fully aware of their surroundings. A sober minded believer keeps his eyes open, knowing he has an enemy that is on the prowl and ready to devour (1 Peter 5:8). The sober minded believer also knows that one lapse in judgment can cause immense damage during the spiritual battle. Sobriety keeps every reality in the forefront of the mind.
A sleeping enemy is generally easiest to overcome. The Devil is no stronger today than he was in the early days of the church, yet he seemingly works with a much greater success rate in these last days. Something has changed and it is not the Devil, or the Lord, so it must be believers. Men have lost their sobriety. They seem so busy playing games, sleeping, or murmuring to notice that the enemy is on the prowl. This lack of sobriety has caused great harm. Fewer souls are being saved, believers have little to no desire to live holy, and even fewer know enough Bible to keep from being deceived. Believers cannot fight the Devil while sleeping or distracted. A good fight requires sobriety!
The context of our passage speaks of judgment against Jerusalem and Judah. In this judgment the Lord vowed to remove much of the strength of the land. He promised to remove the mighty man and the man of war, the judge and the prophet, the honourable man and the counseller. The removal of these people would certainly weaken any city, town, or nation. Yet, it is in the midst of this list that the Lord included the prudent. Apparently, the prudent are the strength of any people just as much as their great warriors and judges. When all things are considered, this makes perfect sense. Those who are prudent make decisions that stabilize any people and provide future stability as well.
