PROVERBS- LESSONS FROM ANIMALS (1)
February 13, 2005 PM
Sermon Outline
1 KI 4:32,33
INTRO: The writer of 1 Kings gives us a very good look at the work, the wisdom and the possessions of Solomon. He must have had incredible wealth! Nations sent tribute to him. Israel was at peace during the reign of Solomon. It was during his reign, of course, that the temple which David had desired to build was constructed. For all of his wealth and his construction projects, it is still his proverbs for which he is best known. The text I have read mentions his references to animals, birds and serpents. As I read through the book of Proverbs, I notice those references. Tonight, I would like to mention a few of them and their apparent lessons.
1. The ants and the lesson of industry - 6:6-11
a. the book of Proverbs has much to say about industriousness & sluggards
b. ants dont have to be told every move to make - no guide, overseer...
c. ants provide and harvest at proper seasons - provideth...gathereth...
d. by contrast we see the sluggard, the lazy person, who spends his time sleeping or in idleness ... and poverty comes
e. Prov 10:5 - ... but he that sleepeth in harvest...
f. ants are a constant testimony against human laziness!
2. The swine and the lesson of beauty without discretion - 11:22
a. the word picture here is vivid - a precious jewel ornamenting a pigs snout!
b. we might say, Whats wrong with this picture?
c. Solomon gives us the meaning: physical beauty/handsomeness without discretion is as unbeautiful as a pearl in a pigs snout - because without discretion these beautiful people do very unbeautiful things
d. but we place so much emphasis on physical beauty and attributes
e. our emphasis should be on teaching discretion - helping those in our charge to make responsible decisions
f. Ps 112:5 - a good man...he will guide his affairs with discretion
3. The ox and the lesson of the necessity of work - 14:4
a. having a barn in which to store crops is good
b. but filling the barn will require the expending of effort
c. one has said of this verse, God works by means, not by miracles!!!
d. my parents often said to me, Son, if youre waiting for it to just drop into your lap, youll be waiting a long time!
e. so, 1 Thes 4:11,12 - ...to work with your own hands...that ye may have lack of nothing
f. are we teaching and/or exemplifying for our children a good work ethic?
4. The bear and the unequaled cruelty of man - 17:12
a. a mother bear robbed of her cubs we be dangerous - and will hurt you!
b. but the author says he would rather meet such a mother bear than to be exposed to the cruelty of a fool! human cruelty!
c. at least the mother bear has a reason for her being dangerous
d. but human cruelty exceeds any cruelty of the animal kingdom - as so many recent events have demonstrated
e. the sons of Jacob demonstrated this cruelty in their treatment of the Shechemites and their own brother - cf. Gen 49:5-7
e. Gal 5:22 - ...gentleness... - is it become too rare to find gentleness? are people too often harsh, brittle, protective, vengeful?
5. The horse and the true security of God - 21:31
a. ancient warfare depended horses to pull chariots - to carry soldiers to war
b. the more horses a king had, the more secure he could feel in going to war
c. Ps 20:7 & 33:17
d. it is possible we spend too much time preparing for our secular battles and far too little time preparing for spiritual warfare!
e. Eph 6:15 - ...preparation of the gospel of peace
f. I so appreciate this line: safety is of the Lord - real security is not in weapons of earthly warfare or in material wealth of this world ... it is of the Lord
CLOSE: Nature is not God. But God can certainly been seen in nature ... in the things he created. It is, I believe, so natural, then, for Him to call our attention to the lessons which can be taught by observing our natural surroundings. Think about Rom 1:19,20.
Cecil A. Hutson
February 13, 2005