Wisdom at Work: Ants, Abominations, and Attitudes
ANTS - Proverbs 6:6-8
6 Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. 7 Without having any chief,
officer, or ruler, 8 she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.
The lazy person should learn from the ant – the proverbial hard worker. The book of Proverbs speaks a lot about the value of hard work, and for good reason. “No insect is more laborious, not even the bee itself; and none is more fondly attached to or more careful of its young, than the ant.” (Clarke) The ant is wise and worthy of imitation because she works hard without having to be told to work hard. Modern entomologists have discovered a perfect social organization among ants, with seemingly no hierarchy of command. The ant works hard when the work is to be done. In the summer and in the harvest, the work gets done. This means that the ant gives a good lesson in her ways and her wisdom.
ABOMINATION - Proverbs 6:16-19
16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, 19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
Several times in the book of Proverbs, Solomon used this expression to give a list. Here the list is of things that the Lord hates, that are an abomination to Him. The six are first stated, and the seventh is that which results, namely, ‘he that sows discord among brothers.’ (Morgan)
Solomon listed these seven sins.
- A proud look
- A lying tongue
- Hands that shed innocent blood
- A heart that devises wicked plans
- Feet that are swift in running to evil
- A false witness who speaks lies
- One who sows discord among brothers
Most of these sins are connected to something we do, in or through our body. The eyes have a proud look, the tongue lies, and so on. We are reminded of what Paul wrote in Romans about presenting the parts of our body (our members) to God for the work of righteousness, not sin (Romans 6:13). This collection of seven sins is also focused on how we treat others. We must honor God and worship Him in spirit and in truth, yet God is also concerned about how we treat others. Each of these are serious sins against others. The last one is presented as the result of the previous six, or the ultimate among them. It is one of the highest among the things that God hates and regards as an abomination. “A withering blast will fall on those who, mistaking prejudice for principle, cause divisions for their own selfish ends (Romans 16:17-18).” (Bridges)
ABSURDITY - Proverbs 9:1-6
Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. 2 She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3 She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, 4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, 5 “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”
Proverbs 8 described wisdom as a woman with blessings and benefits for those who listened and obeyed. Now Solomon pictures wisdom as a woman of generous hospitality who invites all.
The house of wisdom is established and secure. The primary idea is that wisdom’s house is large, well-appointed, and unshakable. Through the centuries, various commentators have not been able to resist seeing some symbolic meaning in her seven pillars. The customs and ethics of hospitality in the ancient near east made this invitation even more meaningful. Slaughtering, like the difficult and responsible activity of building a house, was normally a man’s job but Wisdom is an extraordinary woman. (Waltke) The mix referred to was with water, as they used to do in those hot countries, partly for refreshment, and partly for wholesomeness; indicating there might be something to say about temperance. Wisdom makes the invitation, but the simple must respond. They must be willing to go in the way of understanding. Just as food and drink give physical life, Solomon’s teachings give spiritual life. This truth finds an even better realization in Jesus’ invitation to the banquet in the kingdom of God (Luke 14:15-24). Wisdom has done her part; now the unwise and simple must make a decision to feast and be healed.
THE CALL OF THE FOOLISH WOMAN - Proverbs 9:16-18
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here”; And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
17“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” 18 But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of hell.
“Wisdom says, ‘Let the simple turn in to me.’ No, says Folly, ‘Let the simple turn in to me. This is the message of folly, explaining how good it is to be bad.” Things gained through transgression are more sweet and pleasant than what may be rightfully obtained. “When Augustine describes how he stole fruit from the pear tree, he says that he did not do it because he was hungry, as he threw away most of the fruit, but for the mere pleasure of sin as sin. He did it to break God’s law.” Stolen water is sweet and gives the idea that there is some truth in the thought that transgression can make something feel better. Sin has its pleasures for a season (Hebrews 11:25), yet folly’s path has an end.
“In every city, on every street, by every door of opportunity, these two voices of wisdom and folly are appealing to men. To obey the call of wisdom is to live. To yield to the clamor of folly is to die. How shall we discern between the voices? We can do this by making the fear of Jehovah the central inspiration of life, and by yielding the being at its deepest to Him for correction and guidance.” (Morgan)
CONCLUSION - Proverbs 10:1
A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
We now move to Proverbs that Solomon wrote - not so much advice from his own father and mother - but those pithy little one verse statements that we treasure from him when trying to make wise decisions. This verse deals with how a wise or foolish son affects a family.
The wise son is the one who orders his life according to God's commandments and ways. The word for glad here is "samah" and it means to be glad, rejoice, be joyful, even to gloat. This is the dad who wants to brag on his boy and the great choices he is making. But what we need to note here is that the reason this father is glad is because his son is wise. This reminds dads what is important - and that is wisdom. The latter half of this verse is not as joyful as the first. It says that the foolish son is a grief to his mother. This is the classic word for fool used again - the one who has no idea of how to live before God in a successful, practical, and godly way.
This verse is primarily a warning to sons to live for Christ. I think it is also a verse that warns parents of how much their children's choices will affect their own lives. But I want to offer a measure of hope to those who have wayward children. Embrace the grieving and allow the Lord to use it to empower your prayers. Also allow Him to use it to bring a deeper repentance and turning to Him in your own lives.
