“Go To The Ant …. Consider Her Ways, And Be Wise”
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
Through the years, there have been many articles written on God’s industrious creature, the ant. The ant is one of God’s most productive creatures, and because of that quality, Solomon encourages us to observe the ant, and be wise:
“Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise” (Proverbs 6:6).
Solomon lists several innate qualities of the ant:
- They have no ruler or leader (Proverbs 6:7).
- They provide their supplies in the summer (Proverbs 6:8; Proverbs 30:25).
- They gather their food in the harvest (Proverbs 6:8).
In his commentary on Proverbs 6:6, Adam Clarke lists other qualities of the ant.
However, there is one quality that both of the above men have not listed, and that quality is the ant’s preference for light. As I walk along the sidewalk in my neighborhood from time to time, I’ve observed the fact that the ant will rarely be found in the shady portion of the sidewalk (if there is fence running along the sidewalk to provide the shade). Rather, he prefers to transport himself in direct sunlight.
Also, if we will observe an ant bed when the sun goes down, we’ll see that the ant is much slower in transporting himself, and less productive in the darkness, than when the sun is out providing sunlight.
Let’s make a spiritual application of the above observation to ourselves. Similar to the ant, we are to be spiritually productive in the Lord’s kingdom (John 15:1-8; cf. Matthew 5:16).
We too are most productive, when we walk in the “light” of God’s word (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 6:23; cf. Ephesians 5:8; 1 John 1:7) — not residing in spiritual darkness (1 John 1:6; cf. 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:11).
Brethren, as followers of God, let us be productive in sharing the light of the gospel with others, so they won’t have to remain in spiritual darkness (Matthew 5:13-16; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
Related Articles:
- Ants – God’s Amazing Creatures
- Go To The Ant