| THE ANT Prov. 6:6-11 & 30:25 |
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| God says athat if we want to learn "real" wisdom we should "go to the ant." We must realize that there is a profound difference between the wisdom of men or the flesh and the wiscomd of God. Contrast James 3:13-15 with Prov. 9:10 and James 3:17. There are certain wise ways which we take for granted as common sense which actually have their origins in the wisdom of God, communicated to man by the Word of God. Of these the lessons of the ant are most obvious. I. The Ant is a Creature of Exertion You will never see an ant standing still unless it is sick, dead, or dying. While there is no particular virtue in driving oneself into the ground physically just for the sake of doing so, neither does God place any premium upon laziness. See 2 Thess. 3:10, 11. One of the great faults of Sodom which lead to the wickedness for which God overthrew the city was an "abundance of idleness." (Ezek. 16:49) The mark of virtuous woman is that she "eateth not the bread of idleness." See Prov. 6:9-11, Rom. 12:11; and Col. 3:23. II. The Ant is a Creature of Discretion Nose vs. 7 of Prov. 6. "Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat." Discretion is that wisdom which motivates within, without continuous pressure from without. This is personal discipline. This is the abililty to think for oneself and to come to sound conclusions based upon proper principles. See Ps. 112:5. This kind of wisdom always results in action. It is not just apprehended wisdom but is applied wisdom. See Prov. 24:30-34. III. The Ant is a Creature of Vision The ant can see the need for preparation. Prov. 6:8 and 10:25. It is not fiath to refuse to make any preparations for the future in the event there is a future - it's presumption. Faith is to use wisdom to prepare and to trust the preparation to be either sufficient or supplemented by God if insufficient. The reason some individuals and some churches never prosper is that they have no vision for tomorrow. See Prov. 29:18. Note an enemy of considerable size if the nest is threatened or an item of food many times its own weight and drag it home. Instead of fearing either the giants of opposition or opportunity we ought like the ant to have vision and undertake for God and by faith expect him to undertake for us. IV. The Ant is a Creature of Co-Operation No community of animal life operates as harmoniously as does the ant community. There are no personal goals which are not subjugated to the common goal of providing for, protecting and propagating the nest. Please note that this is possible only because there is a common goal, a common acceptance of each other, and a common dedication. If you plese, they are all ants of the same breed laboring for the same ant hill. So ought it to be among the people of God, especially in the local church. See Ps. 133:1-3, Rom. 12:1-5 and Eph. 4:1-13. V. The Ant is a Creature of Origanization Within the ant community there are specific functions carried forth by specific ants endowed of their creator for that function. Would to God that believers recognized that God has established spiritual gifts and endowed believers with these "as severally as He will." Not all ants have the same function but all are content to fulfill their function. So must we be. God is not opposed to organization. Quite the contrary, nature itself indicates that God is the author of prpoer organization. He most certainl is "not the author of confusion." The ant hill is a highly organized place with cells for food storage, nurseries for eggs and ant larva. These are connected by organized paths. Certainly much of God's work and many believers lives could be benefited by this lesson of wisdom. |
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