Proverbs 30:24-28 (ESV)
Four things on earth are small,
but they are exceedingly wise:
the ants are a people not strong,
yet they provide their food in the summer;
the rock badgers are a people not mighty,
yet they make their homes in the cliffs;
the locusts have no king,
yet all of them march in rank;
the lizard you can take in your hands,
yet it is in kings’ palaces.
In this chapter of Proverbs the author uses a collection of "eblematic" parallelisms to covey his truths. In these particular parallelisms he shows us by picture four animals that display God's wisdom in their daily lives. The ant, not a strong image of strength, but uses wisdom to prepare for the weather and stock pile food. That is wisdom!
The "badger" (shephanim) is a small animal and makes its home in a well protected place in the rocks. That is wisdom! It uses his size to its advantage by finding a small place to hide.
The locust, without a leader, is a unison band of workers. That is wisdom! In a band of locust there is no general or king or queen. They just form a collaborative approach to attack their target.
And, the lizard, a small pest to most, because of its stealth and quiet demeanor hangs out with kings (much to the king's anger). That is wisdom!
Using this animal imagery wisdom is demonstrated as the ability to plan for oneself, to protect oneself, to produce for others, and to use a palace as your play land. Wisdom is something given to us by God to do and accomplish practical things. Each one of these animals God has given wisdom to accomplish their functions in life. They don't argue with God about their role in life. They just fulfill it. Man has a role, as well. Our job is to fulfill it. That is what wisdom does for us. It allows us to honor Him and fear Him in all that we do.
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