There are four things which are little on the earth, But they are exceedingly wise: The ants are a people not strong, Yet they prepare their food in the summer; The rock badgers are a feeble folk, Yet they make their homes in the crags; The locusts have no king, Yet they all advance in ranks; The spider skillfully grasps with its hands, And it is in kings’ palaces.
Let’s look at each of these little things. The ant is an industrious worker; the one with the load always has the right-of-way. The ant prepares for what is to come. Are we doing this?
The rock badger is not strong, but it makes its home in the crags—rocks. Have we made our abode in the Rock of Ages by building upon His sayings (Matthew 7:24-27)?
Locusts have no king, but they accomplish great things. According to a recent television documentary, they are willing to sacrifice themselves for the good of the whole. Are we people who are willing to cooperate, or do we want our own way?
The spider (one translation says lizard) is a little insect or animal that grasps with its hands. It looks for and takes advantage of opportunities to accomplish its aims. As a result, it abides in king’s palaces. Paul commanded, “Study to show thyself approved of God…rightly dividing the word of truth.” Are we studying and the rightly applying—obeying? If so, we, too, will abide in the King’s palace.
