The rooster in the story is warning the dreamer of the dangers of focusing on the wrong things. In the story, the man is failing to concentrate on his physical needs, but the author's purpose in the passage is to point out that spiritual salvation is man's critical need. Furthermore, the passage utilizes providence by specifically stating that one who seeks the Kingdom of God will have his needs met.
Finally, the author concludes his passage with an argument in the form of a short epilogue, recapping what he has said throughout the rest of the passage. He warns the reader, "Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own evil" (Matt 6:34). In other words, he tells the reader that anxiety is not going to solve the problems. He makes a vague reference to the simple life, which is that each day has its own evil, and one does not need to borrow more evils. Interestingly enough, this epilogue fails to make reference to the idea of providence.
Conclusion
Argumentation
Matt 6:25 begins with the argument that anxiety about food, drink, and clothing is unnecessary because a man is more than those things. Matt 6:26 uses a lesser to the greater argument to demonstrate that if God cares for birds, he will take care of man. The author moves onto the argument that anxiety is not productive in Matt 6:27. In Matt 6:28, the author continues the use of analogy and argues from the lesser to the greater by asking the reader to consider how the lilies grow in the field. The author moves from asking the reader to consider other creatures to a warning that a person's achievements cannot match God's in Matt 6:29. Matt 6:30 reveals a return to the argument of analogy. Matt 6:31 directly tells people not to worry because anxiety will not solve one's problems. In 6:32, the author uses the argument of opposites, by showing that non-Jews are striving for worldly possessions; therefore Jews should not be striving for them. Finally, in Matt 6:33,...
The author concludes in Matt 6:34 by warning the reader against anxiety, reiterating the idea that anxiety is not productive.
Providence
Matt 6:25 introduces the idea that a man is more than a physical body, which opens the door for arguments about providence. Matt 6:26 passage focuses on providence, by asking the reader to consider that if God will care for birds, why would He not care for humans? Matt 6:28 uses the idea of providence by hinting at God clothing lilies, though the lilies do not do anything to earn their clothing. In Matt 6:29 the author uses the providence argument and suggests that a sense of gratitude and valuing things appropriately is critical to a view of providence. In Matt 6:30, by showing that all people can receive God's providence, the author introduces the idea of providence. Matt 6:31 also supports the idea of providence, if only by hinting at the notion that
faith in God requires giving up anxiety about worldly concerns. Matt 6:33 uses providence to specifically state that God will provide for people's needs.
The Simple Life
Matt 6:25 does not specifically mention the simple life, but it does being to suggest that the poor can live a good life. By introducing the idea of birds in Matt 6:26, the author continues the suggestion of the simple life, since birds do not have the same material concerns as mankind. In Matt 6:28, the author introduces the idea of the simple life by suggesting that lilies, which grow in the field, have a
lifestyle that is easier to sustain. Matt 6:29 speaks to the simple life by reflecting on the relative lack of value of the lily. Matt 6:30 harkens to the simple life by comparing people to something as simple as grass. Matt 6:33 speaks to the simple life by suggesting that focusing on material possessions is counterproductive. Finally, in 6:34, the author concludes with a vague reference to the simple life by suggesting that each day has its own evils.
Works Cited
Aphthonius of Antioch. "Progymnasmata."
Dio Cocceianus of Prus, "Hunters of Euboea."
Diogenes and Crates. "Principal Representatives of Cynic Philosophy."
Epictetus. "A Stoic View of…
