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Four Little Things 

Can we learn anything from some of Earth’s smallest creatures?

Proverbs 30.24–28

Don Ruhl • Savage Street, Grants Pass, Oregon • August 11, In the year of our Lord, 2013

 

 

Prelude: 

  1. [Introduce the literary structure of Proverbs 30] 
  2. What do an ant, a rock badger, a locust, and a lizard have in common?

    24 There are four things which are little on the earth,
    But they are exceedingly wise…
    (Pro 30.24)
  3. Are you wiser than an ant? 
    1. Are you wiser than a rock badger?
    2. Are you wiser than a locust?
    3. Are you wiser than a lizard?
  4. Did you know that the Bible tells us to learn from creation?

    7 “But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you;
    And the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
    8 Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you;
    And the fish of the sea will explain to you.”
    (Job 12.7–8)

    26a “Look at the birds of the air…” (Matt 6.26a).

    28b “Consider the lilies of the field…” (Matt 6.28b).

    1. Teach and explain what?
      1. Of His creation
      2. Of life lessons

Persuasion: 

  1. Proverbs 30.25 – Are You Wiser than an Ant?

    25 The ants are a people not strong,
    Yet they prepare their food in the summer…
    (Pro 30.25)

    1. The ant has enough foresight to prepare for the future.
    2. May man learn that lesson!

      4 “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9.4).

      12 “Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel;
      Because I will do this to you,
      Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”
      (Amos 4.12)

      Matt 25.1–13

    3. Learn to have foresight.
  2. Proverbs 30.26 – Are You Wiser than a Rock Badger?

    26 The rock badgers are a feeble folk,
    Yet they make their homes in the crags…
    (Pro 30.26)

    1. The wisdom of building in the rocks.
    2. May man learn to build on the Rock.

      24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock” (Matt 7.24–25).

      11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1Co 3.11).

    3. Learn to build on the right foundation.
  3. Proverbs 30.27 – Are You Wiser than a Locust?

    27 The locusts have no king,
    Yet they all advance in ranks…
    (Pro 30.27)

    1. The strength of unity and the power of cooperation
    2. May we see that power

      20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17.20–21).

      10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment (1Co 1.10).

      1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph 4.1–3).

    3. Learn to cooperate.
  4. Proverbs 30.28 – Are You Wiser than a Lizard (Gecko) [some spider]?

    28 The [lizard] skillfully grasps with its hands,
    And it is in kings’ palaces.
    (Pro 30.28)

    1. Works with hands
    2. Man should work

      26 The person who labors, labors for himself,
      For his hungry mouth drives him on.
      (Pro 16.26)

      10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat (2Th 3.10).

      8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (1Ti 5.8).

    3. Work related to our salvation

      12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Phi 2.12–13).

      62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9.62).

    4. Hang on and hang in there, for you know not where life will take you.
    5. Learn to work with perseverance.

Exhortation: 

  1. The L’s of education: 
    1. The three L’s of Education: Learn! Learn! Learn!
      1. Learn from creation.
      2. Learn from the Scriptures.
      3. Learn from Jesus.
    2. Learn to have foresight.
    3. Learn to build on the right foundation.
    4. Learn to cooperate.
    5. Learn to work with perseverance.
  2. You will then be wiser than 
    1. the ant,
    2. the rock badger,
    3. the locust, and
    4. the lizard.
  3. If you do not 
    1. learn from
      1. creation,
      2. the Scriptures, and
      3. Jesus, and
    2. if you do not learn from
      1. the ant,
      2. the rock badger,
      3. the locust, and
      4. the lizard,
    3. you are no better than an ox or a donkey,

      2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth!
      For the Lord has spoken:

      “I have nourished and brought up children,
      And they have rebelled against Me;
      3 The ox knows its owner
      And the donkey its master’s crib;
      But Israel does not know,
      My people do not consider.”
      (Isa 1.2–3)

      1. Are you wiser than an ox?
      2. Are you wiser than a donkey?
  4. However, brethren, I am confident of better things concerning you, 
    1. yes, things that accompany salvation, though I speak in this manner.
    2. Do not fall from your steadfastness.
  5. Be saved today.