Proverbs 30:26-28 - Wise Badgers, Locusts, and Lizards

Proverbs 30:26-28

²⁶ The shephanim (badgers) are not mighty people, yet they make their houses in the rocks;
²⁷ The locusts have no king, yet all of them go out in ranks;
²⁸ The lizard you may grasp with the hands, yet it is in kings’ palaces.

Message: Wise Badgers, Locusts, and Lizards

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: The small creatures continue to be exemplified here in these 3 verses. The text looks at the badgers, the locusts, and lizards. Badgers are not mighty and yet they build their house out of rocks in order to protect themselves and appear mighty, locusts have no king or ruler  and yet they all go out in ranks like someone is leading them, lizards can be picked up easily by human hands and yet they are found often among people.

Overall, I believe this to be another reminder of what God has ordained and what he plans ahead of time for his people (including animals).

This is from Tabletalk of October 16, 2015:

• Rock badgers (v. 26) are small creatures about the size of a hare. They live among the rocks surrounding the Dead Sea and in other rocky locales in Palestine and Syria. God has specifically designed them for this habitat. Ordinarily, their small size would make them quite vulnerable to predators, but their clawed, almost weblike feet and footpads enable them to scurry about the rocks with ease, hiding in holes and small caves that are inaccessible to larger creatures that might want to make these badgers their food. Since the Bible often compares God to a rock for His people, the lesson seems to be that the only shelter we can find from our enemies is in the Lord Himself. In light of the great obstacles we face in the world, the flesh, and the devil, we are exposed and defenseless if we rely on ourselves. Yet if we take shelter in the Rock who is higher than we are we will find protection from all that seeks to destroy us. 
• Locusts (v. 27) can form vast swarms that wreak incredible havoc and destruction in a matter of minutes. Such a feat is incredible when, according to the naked eye at least, we cannot find a king or other leader among these insects. Clearly, each individual locust knows its places and is content to do the task for which it was created. Such discipline prevents jockeying over position that would make the formation of locust swarms impossible. The parallel lesson for us is to be content with where the Lord has placed us and to avoid the jealousy of other people's gifts and positions that can cause destruction. After all, if the locusts can be so successful because they are happy to be where God has placed them and they have no king, how much more successful will we be under the kingship of Christ if we are content where we are? 
• Lizards (v. 28) are reptiles so small that we can easily hold them in our hands, yet their ability to stick to walls means that no place is off limits to them, not even the kings palace. Those who live by God's wisdom will go far in life, and those who trust in Christ, who the wisdom of God will dwell in the Lord's heavenly places forever. 

Promise: If I am content where God has placed me and happy to be under his leadership, then I will enjoy success both now and in the life to come.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to be content in all situations. Forgive me for my discontent and feeling like I need more or something better. Help me to learn to stay where I am and encourage others as well in this. Thank you for your abundant providence in bringing me where I am at right now.