By Lori Gardner
“There are four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceedingly wise …” (Pro. 30:24)
In our last issue we looked at how true wisdom comes from the Lord and how we should put into practice the good sense that He gives us (Pro. 2:6). God’s Word has many examples of true wisdom. Even some of the smallest and most insignificant creatures can be examples to us.
“The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer …” (Pro. 30:25)
Most of us think of ants as a nuisance, but they can actually teach us a lot. Verse 25 describes them as being “not strong.” Even though these tiny creatures can carry from 10-50 times their own weight, they can easily be crushed. So, in comparison to the rest of creation they are not strong, but they are wise. They prepare for their future by gathering their food in the summer, when it is most readily available. Proverbs 6:6-8 tells us that we should consider their ways. With no guide or overseer, they are constantly busy preparing for the seasons ahead. No one has to tell them when the time is right or coerce them into action. Because of their wisdom, they are prepared for the future.
Shouldn’t we as believers prepare for our future, too? The most important thing that we need to prepare for is where we will spend eternity. In Amos 4:12 the Lord warns the people of Judah and Israel, “…prepare to meet thy God.” Because they had despised the law of the Lord, not kept the commandments, and were carried away with all types of vile sins, the Lord pronounced judgment upon them (Amos 2:4-16). We, too, face the ultimate judgment of an eternity separated from God unless we are prepared. Fortunately, the work of preparation has already been done for us. The Lord Jesus Christ took care of all the requirements necessary in order for us to spend eternity with Him. The only thing we need to do to secure our future place is come to Him by faith. When we make the decision to trust in His death, burial and resurrection, we are guaranteed a secure future of joy and blessings. That’s the wisest decision we will ever make.
“The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks.” (Pro. 30:26)
Conies (sometimes called badgers) are interesting animals. They are probably a type of small, desert rabbit that can be seen even today in the mountainous areas of Israel. They are called feeble because they have no real defense system. When they sense danger they run for cover into rocky gorges in the mountains. There they stay within the safety and security of the rocks (Psa.104:18). So, even though they are weak, they are exceedingly wise.
This behavior is such a good example to us of how we should react when we sense trouble. When we seem unable to withstand the world, resist temptation, or bear up under hard times, God’s Word assures us of a refuge and shelter in which we can hide. Psalm 94:22 says, “… the Lord is my defense, and my God is the rock of my refuge.” 1 Corinthians 10:4 says that Christ is our Rock. He is our place of hope, shelter, and trust during difficult times.
“The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands …” (Pro. 30:27)
We don’t seem to pay much attention to a single locust, but a band of locusts can eat their way through acres of crops in a very short amount of time. Some scientists claim that a large swarm of locusts can cover a distance of 60-80 miles in one day. It is estimated that in that same 24 hour period they can consume as much food as 2,500 people. They were created in such a way that when they spread their wings and fly close together, they appear as one solid mass. Witnesses on the ground say that when the numbers are great, they can even block the sunlight as they pass. They exhibit wisdom to us because they work as one cohesive unit.
All of those who have trusted in Christ as Savior are called into one body (Eph. 2:16; Col. 3:15). We are members of the Church, the Body of Christ, as well as being members of one another (Eph. 4:4; 1 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 12:5). Believers are to have one mind and one mouth in order to glorify God (Rom 15:6). We are told to be likeminded as we strive together for the faith of the gospel (Phil. 1:27; 2:2). The Apostle Paul warned that there should be no schism in this body (1 Cor. 12:25). Just as the locusts gathered together as one, kept together as one, and moved together as one, shouldn’t the members of the Body of Christ exhibit this same type of wisdom?
“The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in the king’s palaces.” (Pro. 30:28)
Some early manuscripts actually use the word “lizard” here instead of spider. Either way, these creatures are not exactly endearing to most people. They are usually not wanted as pets, yet they can be found even in royal palaces. They may not seem as if they belong there, but they are wise enough to seek access to the finest surroundings, and once they are there, they take hold.
Before we trust Christ as Savior, there is not much about us that is endearing, either. We are simply sinners deserving of death. Yet, when we place our trust in the redeeming work of Christ, we are not only given an eternal heavenly home, but we are given access by one Spirit unto the Father (Eph. 2:18). Our eternal life starts the moment we believe and we can freely come before His “throne of grace” anytime (Heb.4:16).
We can learn many valuable lessons about being wise when we observe God’s creation. From these four little creatures we see that we need to prepare for eternity and take refuge in the Lord when trouble comes our way. We also see how important it is to stand fast and work together within the Body of Christ, as well as rejoice in the fact that through the Lord Jesus Christ we have access to the all powerful, all wise Father.
