Proverbs 30:24-25 - Small But Wise

Proverbs 30:24-25

²⁴ Four things are small on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise:
²⁵ The ants are not a strong people, but they prepare their food in the summer;

Message: Small But Wise

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: 
Solomon now introduces the reality that there are four of God's creatures on this earth that are exceedingly small, but exceedingly wise. It is a reminder to us that wisdom is not about stature but mostly allowing God to work through you to be the person you are set out to be.

I think one of the things that would be apparent is this small creature does what they are made to do. An ant brain has about 250 000 brain cells. A human brain has 10,000 million brain cells. So, the ant's brain cells is 1/40th of a human. It is rather amazing to think about and yet they have one sole message, to acquire what they need to survive. To me, there purpose is squarely one of divine providence as God made them the way they are. We are reminded here that we can learn something from them, though we wouldn't think because of their size. Yet, within their brain size they are able to go, retrieve food or what they need in the summer so they have it for the winter. Isn't it interesting that they also have a short life span of 30-45 days so this means the preparation they are doing is not for themselves, but for their brothers who will be around in the future. They are obedient to their instinct.

Proverbs 6:6-8 has already mentioned - Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise which, having no chief, Officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest. We are here  comended to get up and do something, reminding us the ant is a hard worker. Don't we always need to be reminded of this as we are so often focused on not working, but playing or resting. Isn't it interesting that it is days in which we have worked that we feel like the day has been the most complete?

The ant acts in a wise manner, doing what is best for him. Verse 25 even describes the colony of ants are not a strong people. These animals have at their instinct a wisdom that is wiser than the human. Though they are not strong they still prepare their food in the summer. Preparation does not have to do with strength. This seems to be an important reminder.

Also, we can see that ants often need each other to carry something. Thus, they work together well.

Promise: The Lord has designed us to cooperate with one another.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the illustration that you provide with the ant. Help me to learn from the ant even that you have commissioned me for a great work, to provide for my family, to take care of them, and to take care of this home that you have provided, to take care of those in the church that are commissioned to be your ambassadors full time as well as those serving overseas. Lord, help me to remember this. My job is to help others and provide for those you have put in my care. Keep me for from laziness.