Message summary: Pennsylvanian Benjamin Franklin observed that "none preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing". Solomon wrote, "Consider its ways and be wise". Have you heard the ant preach?

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"Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest" (Proverbs 6:6-8).

Stephen and I really enjoy watching hummingbirds when they hover over our flowers, most especially in the back yard although the photo above is in our front yard. Two days ago I was awakened by a fluttering sound as I was resting on our back yard swing only to open my eyes and see a brilliantly colored hummingbird circling a row of lavender phlox gathering nectar from their blossoms.

I try to keep up with the hummingbird feeders by refilling them weekly. This morning as I emptied the remaining nectar from one feeder there were also many tiny ants that found their way to the feeder only to drown in the homemade nectar. Today we will consider the ant!

One of my (Stephen) earliest childhood memories took place in a park in Lee's Summit (Kansas City area). We were walking along a sidewalk where there were many large black ants scurrying back and forth. I was purposefully stepping on them and my Dad saw me. He spoke sharply to me, "Stop!", explaining to my young mind that  ants were living as God intended and were not harming us in any way.

Myrmecology is a branch of entomology (study of insects) focusing on the scientific study of ants. Yes, there are biologists who actually specialize in the study of ants!

Ants are found virtually everywhere on earth. The total biomass of all the ants on earth is roughly equal to the total biomass of all the people on earth. Scientists estimate there are at least 1.5 million ants on the planet for every human being. Over 12,000 species of ants are known to exist, on every continent except Antarctica. Most live in tropical regions. A single acre of Amazon rain forest may house 3.5 million ants, just in case you ever wondered. *

King Solomon also found the ants interesting and we find in his observation another timeless lesson from God's Word. Solomon said "go" and "consider", encouraging his readers to observe up close the day to day habits of the ants. Written some 3,000 years ago yet we can still follow Solomon's  directions today since wherever you live, unless you're in the Antarctica, you can heed Solomon's ancient consideration. You rarely have to go out of your way to see ants since, regardless of where you may live, ants also inhabit nearby.

But taking the time to "consider" the ant's ways takes some effort. Solomon was sure good at that for we read that "he described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish" (1 Kings 4:33). Apparently he had also spent some time observing ants. Pennsylvanian Benjamin Franklin observed that "none preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing" so let us consider the preaching of the ant today:

1) The ant silently preaches diligence. They are busy in the work God created for them. That seems to be the main point in our daily text. Solomon is addressing those who were slothful in their work habits, whom he very forthrightly called out, "You sluggard".  Other versions use "lazy" with one stating "lazy bum" (God's Word Translation).

2) The ant silently preaches teamwork. A.M Mackay, a pioneer missionary to Uganda, Africa tells how that one day he saw a colony of soldier ants suspend themselves by their bodies joined together. They were extending from the ground upward through the air to a piece of meat suspended from a branch of a tree, thus forming a sort of Jacob's ladder of themselves. Upon this ladder the feebler members of the ant colony climbed, and supplied their wants!

3) The ant silently preaches planning and preparation. "Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer" (Proverbs 30:25). This is the only other reference in Scripture to the ant. 

4) The ant silently preaches strength. From our observation and scale ants may appear to be "of little strength" but actually ants are capable of carrying objects 50 times their own body weight with their mandibles. Ants use their diminutive size to their advantage. Relative to their size, their muscles are thicker than those of larger animals or even humans. This ratio enables them to produce more force and carry larger objects. If we had muscles in the proportions of ants, we'd be able to heave a Hyundai over our heads!

5) The ant silently preaches resourcefulness. A biologist tells how he watched an ant carrying a piece of straw and came to a crack in the earth that was too wide for it to cross. The ant remained still for a time, as though pondering the situation, then put the straw across the crack and walked over upon it!

Solomon says regarding the ant to "consider its ways and be wise". Have you observed any ants lately? Are not all these characteristics needed in our lives today as we seek to be wise in God's estimation?

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13