Introduction: Have you ever thought about what a painting says about
the artist? What a book says about the author? What a song says
about the composer? What does God’s creation say about Him? Solomon
tells us that God’s creation teaches us lessons for life and teaches
us about God. Let’s jump in and find out what we can learn!
- Ants
- Read Proverbs 6:6-11. Who is counseled to consider the
ant? (The lazy person.) - Why does the text (v.7) point out that the ant has no
ruler? What is the point of saying that? (The ant
does not need someone to urge him on to work. This
urges us to be “self-starters.”) - Why is it important for the ant to gather and store
in summer and the harvest? (When the work is there,
when it is available, the ant does what is needed.) - What is the lesson for us in that?
- How many of you wish you had more sleep? What does
more sleep do for us according to these verses? - Those of you who need more sleep, ask yourself
if you are sleep-deprived because of your work
or because of watching television, reading books
or spending time on similar recreational
activities? - Why is too much sleep like an armed robber? (Laziness
will deprive you of your stuff just like a robber.) - Some say they should give extra money to God’s
program now and trust God for the future – as opposed
to saving for the future. What does this text about
the ant suggest? - We see practical lessons in these verses about the
ant. Do you see any spiritual lessons? - Consider Matthew 6:26-28. Does this teach us a
contrary spiritual lesson to the lesson of the
ant? (The issue is worry, not work. God does not
want us to worry. I do not think He is
counseling us to just rest.) - Read Proverbs 30:24-25. Here Proverbs is saying something
good and something bad about ants. What is good and what
is bad? (They are not very strong, but they store up food
when it is available.)
- What is the Proverbs’ point for us in this verse? (We
can make up for deficiencies, by hard work and
persistence.) - Do you find a spiritual lesson in these verses?
- The Coney
- Read Proverbs 30:26. Anyone know about a Coney? (Some
translate this as a type of rabbit, others as a type of
badger. Since the rabbits I know are nothing like badgers,
I do not know what kind of an animal is being described.
What I can say with some assurance is that it is smaller
than an elephant.) - What lesson do you learn about life from the example of
the coney? That we should live in brick houses? (I see an
economic lesson. Coneys make up for a lack of strength by
living in an area where few can go. If you learn a job
that few can do, you will prosper. Normally, the fewer
people who can do something, the greater the income.) - Do you see a spiritual lesson here? (God is our rock. If
we abide in Him, we are protected even though we are
weak.) - The Locust
- Read Proverbs 30:27. What practical lesson can we learn
from the locusts? (Organization is important. If you are
organized, it makes you stronger than if you are
disorganized.) - Is this a spiritual lesson? (Yes. Some say that we
should just let the Holy Spirit lead and organize
whatever we do. No actual organization on our part is
needed. While we should be looking for the leading of
the Holy Spirit, I think we find it here (at least in
part) in this text. Organization improves our
effectiveness.) - Why do you think the reference to a king is
added? (We don’t need a dictator in the church
to get organized.) - The Lizard
- Read Proverbs 30:28. If lizards are so easy to catch, how
do they get into a king’s palace? (Being small and quick
is an advantage.) - Does the king want them in his palace? (No.)
- What practical lesson do we learn from this? (Being
alert to opportunities, being non-threatening, being
quick to adapt can be an advantage. I think this also
teaches us that everyone, no matter how weak or
insignificant, has a part to do in the kingdom.) - Is there a spiritual lesson in this? (The subtle
approach to conversion is sometimes the more
effective approach.) - Consider again the introduction to these four creatures.
Read Proverbs 30:24. You have heard the expression, “You
are a pea-brain!” Of these four creatures, the ant, the
coney, the locust and the lizard, only the coney would be
able to boast a brain larger than a pea. How can God call
these guys wise? (Wisdom is not the same as intelligence.
But more than that, God is telling us that we can become
wiser by considering these products of His creation.) - The Heavens and Earth
- Read Proverbs 3:19-20. You’ve seen pictures of the earth,
tell me what are the “earth’s foundations?” It doesn’t
have any, right? (I’m sure Solomon had never seen a “space
picture” of the earth, but the picture makes the
“foundations” no less marvelous. Indeed, it makes it like
no foundation man has ever devised. Imagine if we could
“harness” the power of gravity for travel.) - Not exactly understanding the power of gravity leads
to the next conclusion in verse 19, “by understanding
He set the heavens in place.” What about the heavens
shows unbelievable intelligence and power? (The
universe is expanding at just the right rate so that
it does not fly apart (as gravity weakens) or implode
(as gravity strengthens).) - What is marvelous about (v.20) the clouds dropping
dew? (The whole water cycle of the earth is fabulous
engineering. Maybe some fool has a theory for the
evolution of the inanimate objects involved in the
water cycle, but I believe this is evidence of a
Master Designer.) - Can you waste water? (If you are paying for
water I assume you can waste your money.
Otherwise, water recycles itself. I remember as
a kid in a campground some lady yelling at me
for having the water on a little too long as I
was brushing my teeth. Now that this is just a
distant memory from childhood I wonder: a) Where
I was brushing my teeth (a public bathroom?) so
that ladies would be present; and, b)Whether
that lady thought that once the water went down
the drain it was lost forever.) - Read Psalms 19:1-6. We study this text so much! What
would you say to someone who worships the sun? Why would
you conclude, looking at the heavens, that you should
worship God instead of the Sun? (It would be like giving
credit to a Ford car instead of Henry Ford.) - Are the heavens intended to speak to us? (Our lesson
directs us to look at all the communication words in
these verses: declare, proclaim, speech, language,
voice.) - Read Proverbs 8:12, 27-30. Starting with verse 12, Solomon
describes the power of wisdom. What role did wisdom play
in the creation of the world? (Verse 30 tells us wisdom
was the “craftsman at [God’s] side” in the creation. Do
you see what an attack on the wisdom and holiness of God
to accept the theory of evolution? It is a denial of God’s
wisdom and power.)
- Read Psalms 8:3-4. What is the motive behind those who
deny God’s authority and power as the Creator and
Sustainer of the universe? (If God is the power behind the
universe it means that man is not the ruler of the
universe. It is a matter of pride and arrogance.) - Let’s read on, Psalms 8:5-9. Is the pride back?
- Friend, God has lessons for us in His creation. Will you
take the time to learn and profit from it? - Next Week: Like Father, Like Son
