A Bible study from proverbs and nature

Pastor Pat O'Rourke

One of the best ways to find out about life and even about yourself, is to go to nature and study it. Today, I want to take you on a Bible study about nature that is most revealing. Proverbs 30:24-28: “There be 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 conies are but a feeble folk yet they make their houses in the rocks. The locusts have no king, yet go forth all of them by bands. The spider takes hold with her hands and is in king’s palaces.” The Bible describes itself as a mirror or a looking glass we can gaze into and find things about ourselves. See James 1:23. After having studied ourselves in the light of the scripture, we can make some wise choices about our conduct and about our lives. In Proverbs 30 are found four classes of life. All four of them are notably insignificant, yet able to teach us a lesson about ourselves. Three of them are insects (ants, locusts and spiders) and one a small mammal, the cony or rock badger. The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer. Let me ask you a question. What do you do with your summer? This issue is both figurative and practical. We all have a summer period in our lives in which we can prepare ourselves for the next seasons. The gaining of an education, mastering of a trade, acquiring a skill. The message of the ant is so clear: get busy, get ready, don’t waste your days in idleness or self indulgence. There is work to be done, get to it! Another Proverb 6:6 says, “Go to the ant thou sluggard. Consider her ways and be wise.” She has no guide, overseer or ruler yet she provides her meat in the summer and gathers her food in the harvest. Have you ever studied an ant hill? Kick a little dirt off the top sometime. It is most revealing. Then, in a very practical sense, study the ant. Have you thought about what you are going to eat next winter and the winter after? I am reminded of a couple things I heard on the news about five days ago. Caterpillar and John Deere announced massive layoffs with stock in these companies plunging. These are the companies which build the machines that produce the food. Many of these machines are no longer going to be built. A farmer with a $600,000 crop in the field is not going to be combined with a 40-year-old machine. What does this mean for the people in our cities? It’s time to put two and two together, folks! It’s time to study the ant. The second insignificant thing we are to study is the cony. He would be a cousin of the marmot we find in our national parks. He is noted for where he builds his house - in the rocks. Where have you built your house, or where are you building your house? Jesus spoke about the foolish man who built his house on a foundation of sand and the wise man who built his house on a rock. Again, we will look at this matter both figuratively and practically. Figuratively speaking, your house is your life. How have you built yours? Have you built your life on the philosophy of man or on the solid rock of scripture? If you have built on man, you are already soundly disappointed. Look at the so-called experts in any field, be it economics, politics, science, etc. Can you find any two experts who agree? This alone should illustrate the shakiness of building on the philosophy of man. Build your house on the teachings of Jesus Christ and when the storms of life come you will stand strong. Practically speaking, all across Canada and the USA so many are living in “way more house” than we can afford. Many of my friends have used their homes to expand their financial portfolios. And they have been snared by the ever-changing financial scene. If this describes you, you need to go before God humbly ask His forgiveness. Ask Him for His wisdom, to deliver you. God will help you as He helps us all. We have all made foolish choices from time to time. None of us is perfect. Nobody is in such a deep pit that God can’t get them out. Our next object of study is the locust. Our equivalent would be the grasshopper. A lowly despised creature yet noted for one virtue. He has no king or leader yet joins himself with others and becomes a very formable force. Happy is the man or woman who is a self starter. Who doesn’t need a boss to tell them what to do? I wish I was more that way but here is another thing about the locust. He knows the value of team effort and goes forth by bands. Can you work with others? There is more power in agreement than any of us have ever realized or put to work. For example, I believe when I pray alone my prayers have impact or produce results. I pray every day because I believe that. But what happens when I pray with someone else? Jesus said, “If two of you shall agree on Earth as touching anything they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father.” Wow! My solitary prayers may be effective but united prayers with others are absolutely awesome! In my life I have pity for a lot of people but some of the people I pity most are those who are not in fellowship. They sit at home on Sunday morning and perhaps catch a sermon on TV. It might not be an easy thing for you to go to church on Sunday but go anyways. Overcome your feelings, overcome your emotions and you will be the better for it. Listen to the sermon, take notes, and study your Bible. If you really knew the heartbreak that goes into the making of a pastor you would flock to churches. When the collection plate comes around throw in your tithes with joy and in a few months you will be aware of a delightful, new, sense of prosperity and joy you never thought possible on this old earth. Welcome to the kingdom of God! Our last creature of study is the spider. She takes hold with hands and is in king’s palaces. Let me ask you a last question: “What are you doing with your hands? Have you taken a hold of something with your life, something worthwhile?” There is one truth I have learned in my life that I believe with all of my heart. If any person on this old Earth is going to be truly happy (satisfied and fulfilled), they must be involved with something they cannot possibly do without God’s help. In other words, If you can accomplish your life’s work in your own human strength, you will never be fulfilled. Think of these words, meditate upon them. They are true. Get involved with something that’s bigger than you are. Serve people and you will by happy. Serve yourself and you will be miserable. There is a wonderful word in our English language: ‘pro-active’! Webster’s dictionary says it means, “To act in anticipation of future problems, needs, or changes.” It is a word that totally describes our four wise little friends: the ant, cony, locust and spider. Our world is rapidly changing and has many needs and daily sees new problems. A pro-active attitude and lifestyle will help us every step of the way. God bless you!