Nearing the end of Proverbs now, and hopefully the argument has been made sufficiently to prompt us to want to live with better understanding of God and His Word. We should be wanting to live more wisely than we did yesterday, and tomorrow more wisely than today, and so on. All the practical advice in the world, even when it comes directly from God, makes no difference if we take no action. So I turn today to verses 24-28 in Proverbs 30.
Without re-typing all the verses here, to save some space, hear are the animals used to demonstrate some character that we as believer should possess. These animals are very weak and frail compared to humans, they have no authority, and they are easily captured or eliminated. Yet, God wants us to learn from them.
The ant prepares for bad times when times are good.
The shephanim (NASB, perhaps a badger) demonstrates providing personal security.
The locusts demonstrate cooperation.
The defenseless lizard has worth.
What I see here is God expecting people to take responsibility. Yes, God is faithful to provide all we need, yet He still demands we work, that we demonstrate diligence. Just as these animals are frail and insignificant compared to humans, so are we to our Creator. Yet He loved us enough to provide a Savior, and by doing so, He has made our apparently-meaningless lives actually worth something. Indeed, He has made us heirs to the throne, to live eternally with Christ.
Meanwhile, we are here, and our spirits reside in this flesh for now. Choices will confront us today, and tomorrow, and well, every day we live here. The challenge through Proverbs has been to understand and recognize the difference between foolishness and wisdom, and then to make the right and wise choice when confronted with options. Overall, our call is to live a life that counts for God, and the animals He uses here provide a good summary.
Work hard, be a producer/provider, help others and allow them to help, and realize the investment God has made in the life of each believer. I, for one, am thankful that God’s wealth is limitless, and that He has plenty more to invest. He has given each of us the responsibility to point people to Him. He has given us the church, family, and countless blessings such as jobs, friends, material goods, and all are to be used to live a wise life here, looking forward to a perfect life later, forever.
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