Topic: Nuggets of Wisdom from the Small and Insignificant
Text: Proverbs 30:24-28
Rev Chong Fui Yung
15 October 2017
Proverbs 30:24-28
24 "Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise:
25 Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;
26 conies are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags;
27 locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks;
28 a lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in kings' palaces.
INTRODUCTION
We can learn spiritual lessons from four small creatures which are insignificant but unusually wise. Nonetheless, God has seen it fit to mention them. In contrast, the horse, lion and eagle are larger and more powerful. Verses 29 to 31 say that a lion, a strutting cock, a he-goat and a king with his army around him, move with stately bearing.
1. THE ANTS – A Good Concept of Time
Verse 25 – “Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer.” Myrmecology is the scientific study of ants. There is some wisdom that can be gained from ants. We may think there is not much to an ant. Ants are not strong but there is something about them that we can learn from. They are wise and well prepared for adverse situations. Proverbs 6:6-8 - Learn from the ants. They prepare for tomorrow. They don’t lie around and wait for handouts. They are aware of the times and the need and act on it. Ecclesiastes 3 – “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” The ants know this concept. When winter comes and is freezing cold, when food is scarce and hard to get, they don’t need to go out and worry about food. They have a great concept of the future and wisely know how to prepare for it. The most important preparation for us for the future is to be ready for Jesus’ return. Have you made peace with God? Is your future and eternity secure? Are you ready at any minute to meet with your Creator? Ants are wise and store up food in the summer. Are you storing up treasures for yourself in heaven?
Do we have this right perspective of time like the ants?
Ø NOW is the time to respond to the Lord.
2. THE CONIES (ROCK BADGERS) – A Great Concept of Security
Verse 26 – “Conies are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags.” They live in the small cracks and shallow crevices of the rocks. Their home is on the solid rocks. Their main defensive move is to hide in the cracks and crevices of the rocks where their predators are not able to reach them. Similarly, Christ is our Rock and Redeemer. We sing, “Rock of ages, Cleft for me. Let me hide myself in Thee.” Psalm 18:2 – God is our Rock. We stand firm and secure in Him. That’s what the rock badgers are reminding us of – Trust and hope in God. He is our Refuge, Protector and Strength.
How does the badgers’ choice of living environment give them security and protection?
From where or from whom do we receive protection and security in life?
3. THE LOCUSTS – A Great Concept of Strength
Verse 27 – “Locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks.” Locusts are rarely mentioned in the singular. They know the strength of numbers. They move together in swarms. The direction they pursue seems to be almost instinctive. They have no king and are leaderless. They do not need directive, but each doing their part together as they move forward. Our primary loyalty is to God and His kingdom. Our priority is to win people to God’s kingdom. Like the locusts, we need to do it in unity. We are knit together, united in love and closely linked. We have that strong bond together. We have the same God, same spirit.
How can we move forward like the locusts together in ranks?
In terms of goal and purpose; in terms of each doing their part according to gifts and abilities for the advancement of God’s kingdom, and for the building up of one another for the extension of God’s church. There is strength in unity. That’s what the locusts are teaching us today.
4. THE LIZARD – A Great Sense of Place
Verse 28 – “A lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in kings’ palaces.” There is no place exempt from the lizard. It is a difficult visitor to keep out. They seem to have the sense of belonging wherever it goes. However, once it is caught, its life is over. Yet they can slip past vigilant palace guards and be found even in kings’ palaces. What wisdom shall we take from the lizard? As God’s people, we need to live in God’s kingdom and remain faithful till we meet our Lord. We have a place through the One who is the Creator. We need to live as God’s people and see our self-worth in God’s creation.
Life is transitory but we have our place in God through Jesus Christ. We have a place in the King’s Palace. I have prepared a room
1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.”
John 14:2, 3 – “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
How does this give us an assurance in view of the transitoriness of one’s life?
We can and will dwell in palaces in the presence of Almighty God.
CONCLUSION
The common factor is that these are four small things, but extremely wise in their own ways. We would be wise to learn from them. At times, we may feel small and insignificant. Nonetheless, God values you. He has a purpose towards which you can contribute and play a significant role, just like these four small things.
In Christ we have
1. A present and future
2. Our security
3. Our strength
4. A place and position
Let’s take another good look at ourselves, recognize all that God provides for us and recognize the ways God can use each one of us. Let the wisdom of these four small things, seemingly so insignificant, bless and enrich our lives. May we know our worth and value before God. Let’s be a blessing to others.
REFLECTION
How can these nuggets of wisdom be applied to our walking wisely in life?
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