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I take my daughter to the zoo every few weeks (those annual passes are great!). We tremble by the tiger, stand in awe at the size of the elephant and laugh at the monkeys. The small animals and insects don’t really get our attention.
But Agar, the writer of Proverbs 30:24-28, draws our attention to four small, somewhat insignificant creatures that can teach us great lessons. They are wise because of their skill in living. Agar invites us to sit at their feet (if you can find their feet!) and learn some wise lessons in life.
First, there’s the Ant. Ants work hard in anticipation of the challenges of tomorrow. After all, winter is coming! If Ants had one bit of advice to give us, it would be, “prepare for the future.”
Second, there’s the Hyrax or Coney (or rabbit for the Kiwis who have no idea what those things are). Rabbits can’t lift much weight or drag heavy objects back home. Neither can they fight off dogs or vultures. But they have learned that their security is in its burrow or the cleft of a rock. If rabbits could give us one bit of advice, they would say, “know where your security is found.”
Third, there’s the Locust. Those nasty little locusts are small and insignificant by themselves. With others, they’re a powerful army that can cover hundreds of square miles. What the locust cannot do alone, it can do in community with others. If locusts could give us one bit of advice, they would say, “don’t go through this life alone.”
Finally, there’s the Lizard or Gecko. Again, it’s a harmless creature. It’s pretty easy to catch. But somehow—even with security in a palace—it winds up in significant places. It slips through tiny cracks, blends into its surroundings, and lies still when needed. Effectively, Agar says, “See, you can’t prevent an insignificant creature getting into a top notch place.” I guess if the gecko could give us one bit of advice, it would probably be, “just try and try again.’”
Which of these four do you need to be mentored by today? What does it look like to heed their advice?
Brilliant commentary!
Thanks Jonathan. I can can benefit and be encouraged from the examples of each!
Powerful lesson today. Thank you for reminding me that in the rungs of my work life I do matter, the little things that I do to benefit others, although unseen, still matter, without my staff, we would fail in our daily tasks.
You have encouraged me this day and I thank you.
Jonathan;
Thanks for the wisdom in your devotional. Three small red Texas ant bites send me to the hospital and I will never forget the coney I saw in Israel who was brave enough to allow tourists to feed him peanuts. It lived near the Dead Sea and I don’t how it survives as it is so desolate there.
Great reminders, Jonathan. Why should this ask for a website? If you look at our website, you can see that at least one of these is applicable to my life today…”just try and try again” or maybe “keep working at it.” All are actually encouraging to me. “Don’t do life alone” is very meaningful…being in a LifeGroup is great! Your writing reminds me of you (and of Robyn…actually her writing earlier this week did too!) and brings back fond memories. God bless you!
Thanks for shining your light today!!
Jonathan, thanks for illustrations. My mind and heart learn from illustrations. And I didn’t know what a coney was either–or at least didn’t know that was a name for a type of rabbit.