Read Proverbs 30:21-33

Our focus this morning will be upon Proverbs 30:24-28.

vs. 24, "There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise."  The author provides a list of four creatures in life which are demonstrative of wisdom.  We can learn from nature.

vs. 25, "The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." The first illustration of wisdom is ants. The use of the word people essentially has the sense of a ‘society.’  Ants have the God-given foresight to prepare for winter by laying up food during the summer. God has given them the insight to take a long look and prepare for the future. Such is a classic illustration of wisdom.

vs. 26, "The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks." Conies exist to this day in the land of Israel, especially in the Israeli national park at En-Gedi. They are creatures that run around in trees like squirrels yet look like a small groundhog. Though they can climb trees, God has given them the wisdom to make their dens in the holes of the rocks which are cooler and protected from predatory birds. They thus build stable homes. The author uses them as an example of a wise creature.

vs. 27, "The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands."  Locusts obviously have no king or leadership.  Nevertheless, they have the God-given instinct to go forth to feed and meet their needs. The implied point is that they have the initiative and ‘self-starter’ ability to go forth and do what needs to be done without someone making them do so. To that degree they are wise. The illustration is of the initiative, seeing a need and addressing it, and the antithesis of laziness.

vs. 28, "The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces." Spiders are Arachnids and often considered undesirable, spiders certainly are industrious. They get to work wherever they are, even in a king’s palace. They are a symbol of diligence and that which is elevated.  To that degree, they manifest an illustration of wisdom.

In these four creatures, the writer puts forth illustrations of wisdom, the ant as one who looks ahead, planning and providing, the conie working to provide protection, the locust banding together to accomplish a cause and the spider which is both diligent and finds itself elevated, even in kings’ houses.  All of these are manifestations of basic wisdom needed for living life well.  May we learn from what God has placed upon this earth.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  Which is your favorite, the ants, the conies, the locusts, or the spider?  Why?

2.  Ants are planners. They are forward-looking.  How can you become a better planner?

3.  Locusts are self-starters. They are not lazy.  What can you learn from the locusts to improve your own life?

4.  Spiders are industrious and find themselves even in kings’ palaces.  What might you learn from the spider?