Some thoughts from Proverbs 30, where the teacher instructs us from nature.
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 hyraxes (cronies) 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. Proverbs 30
The teacher mentions four types of creature that aren’t naturally gifted or possessed of great ability. However, every time he continues with the little word ‘YET’, despite few natural advantages, we can still learn something from them. (I remember while growing up on a farm in rural Ireland and occasionally finding tiny newts in the house, during the summer months.)
26 For consider your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 1 Corinthians 1
The other thing to note is that the teacher twice makes a connection between these insignificant creatures and the KING! Speaks of the verses in the first letter to the Corinthians and our association with Almighty God.
29 ‘There are three things that are stately in their stride,
four that move with STATELY BEARING:
30 a lion, mighty among beasts,
who retreats before nothing;
31 a strutting cock, a he-goat,
and A KING with his army around him. Proverbs 30
The next picture of the natural creatures, changes to those ‘with a stately bearing’. They all have something impressive, or dignified in the way they carry themselves and once again there is the reference to the KING, arrayed for battle. We serve a great king and our association with him gives us standing in His company.
32 ‘If you play the fool and exalt yourself,
or if you plan evil,
clap your hand over your mouth! (THE SOLUTION TO FOOLISHNESS)
33 For as churning cream produces butter,
and as twisting the nose produces blood,
so stirring up anger produces strife.’ Proverbs 30
Finally the chapter ends with two physical examples of what’s produced in nature when things are stirred up, namely butter from cream and blood from a twisted nose. These are likened to the producing of strife (Anger or bitter disagreement, conflict). Stirring things up or Agitating will often result in strife. Pastor/Mrs Robin Bullock once said that believers should treat strife like a serpent and give it no place in our homes or lives.
It’s noteworthy that the penultimate chapter of Proverbs concludes by drawing the reader’s attention back to the simple things of God’s creation. I’m sure He still speaks to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear through His natural world. Hallelujah
May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.