Big Lessons from Little Creatures
Jeremy Northrop
There are some creatures God created which may leave many people in wonder and bewilderment. Some have expressed concerns as to why God would create things like mosquitoes, gnats, and many little creatures such as these. While these creatures can be a nuisance to many people, biologists and other scientists have discovered the need for these creatures and the great intelligence of the Creator in putting them in place. Further, while it seems many people are working ever diligently to get rid of these little pests though it seems they never succeed, theses creatures are valuable for the preservation of the world. The existence of these creatures has great value.
More than that, however, there are some valuable lessons many of these creatures can teach mankind. Such were the sentiments of the writer of Proverbs 30:24-28. There, the Bible says,
There are four things which are little on the earth,
But they are exceedingly wise:
The ants are a people not strong,
Yet they prepare their food in the summer;
The rock badgers are a feeble folk,
Yet they make their homes in the crags;
The locusts have no king,
Yet they all advance in ranks;
The spider skillfully grasps with its hands,
And it is in kings' palaces.
Here, the writer begins with a powerful statement about several of these little creatures which many would say are annoying and unnecessary. The four creatures discussed are “exceedingly wise.” There is something mankind can learn from these creatures. The ants, rock badgers, locusts, and spiders can teach some spiritual lessons to the people of God.
No one seems to like ants but the lesson which people can learn concerns preparation. Certainly, this is a lesson which has both physical and spiritual application. Some experts in different fields are constantly telling others they need to be sure and prepare for life with an education, prepare for retirement with an individual retirement account, prepare for death with a will, and many other aspects of life for which people need to prepare. The ants prepare for winter by gathering food in the summer. While there is a degree of importance for these physical preparations, the child of God may spiritually prepare for things in life as well. The church needs young men to prepare to be elders, deacons, and preachers. The church needs young men and women to prepare to be Bible class teachers. Of course, all Christians have prepared for death by being baptized into Christ but this preparation must continue by faithful living (Acts 14:22). Certainly, it is “exceedingly wise” to be prepared both physically and spiritually for life and death. The child of God has something to learn from the ants.
The writer then speaks of the rock badgers, a rabbit-type creature. The writer says they are not strong but rather a “feeble folk.” Yet, the ways they deal with this weakness is by living in the rocks. The rocks, in essence, become their protection. In the same way the rock becomes protection for these and many other animals, there are measures which God has put in place to protect the Christian. The apostle Paul tells Christians to take the shield of faith in Ephesians 6:16. He also explains how the church is an institution which is in place, in part, for the protection of her members in Galatians 6:1. Like the rock badger, the Christian can hide in their faith and find solace and comfort in fellowship with other Christians. Literally the weakness of one Christian can be lost in the strength of others. All of them working together can cause growth and good function of the body of Christ (1Corinthians 12:27).
Next, the writer speaks of the locusts. They have no king. This might loosely be connected to the idea that while each individual Christian has their role, there is no one Christian which is greater or better than another. Each part of the spiritual body is important for the overall function of the body. More than that, there is strength in numbers. One locust by itself is no real threat to anyone or anything. Their strength is in their numbers. One Christian may not be able to do great things. The strength of Christianity can be found in many Christians working together to accomplish great things in the Lord’s service. For example, one person trying to visit the sick, study with the lost, and do other things in service to God may not be able to do much. Yet, when the whole congregation sets out to do these things, much good can be accomplished and a good, positive impact can be made in the community. The work of the church is the work of an individual in a cooperative way with each other.
Finally, the writer speaks of the spider. First, the writer tells how spiders are skillful in their work. Then, the writer tells how the spider is in all places such as the king’s palace. The people of God have lessons to learn from both observations. There is a work which requires skill and practice to perfect yet when it is accomplished, much good is done for the Lord. Christians need to carefully consider what they do and how they do it. When the work is done correctly, then much good can be accomplished. It might even work out where prestigious people such as the kings and other dignitaries can be reached. A good example of this is Nehemiah. He was able to converse with the king and still serve Jehovah. When Christians skillfully work, Jehovah may open up doors which may never have been opened.
These creatures (the ants, rock badgers, locusts, and spiders) may be annoying and pose as a aggravation to many people. Yet, they are extremely important in the life-cycle of the planet. More than that, they offer some valuable spiritual lessons to the people of God. Thus, people of God everywhere need to learn these lessons presented by the writer of Proverbs 30:24-28 and apply them to their lives continually and be “exceedingly wise” as the writer describes them.
