OceanSide church of Christ




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Wisdom from Animals
by: Dalton Gilreath

I.              Introduction

A.   Knowledge is something you gain by reading and hearing

                                          i.    Wisdom is gained through experience

                                        ii.    Biblically, wisdom is the ability to understand and discern right and wrong (1 Kings 3:9)

                                       iii.    Wisdom is basically how to put knowledge into practice correctly

B.   Another way we gain wisdom is through observation

                                          i.    We learn from our own choices and the choices of others

                                        ii.    Additionally, we learn from animals as well

                                       iii.    Solomon describes four animals from which we can glean wisdom (Prov 30:24-28)

II.            Ants

A.   Ants are small and fragile compared to humans

                                          i.    We can easily stamp them out simply by stepping on them

                                        ii.    But ants are survivors because they prepare

1.    They gather there food in the Summer (Prov 6:6-8)

2.    They have all the need to make it through winter

B.   We spiritually must be wise and prepare for when our time ends

                                          i.    Our time is short like the life of a flower (Job 14:1-2, Jam 1:10-11)

                                        ii.    Some prepare physically but not spiritually (Luke 12:16-21)

1.    These will recognize they are not saved when harvest comes (Jer 8:20)

2.    They are like the foolish virgins who didn’t come prepared with oil (Matt 25:1-13)

III.           Conies

A.   Conies are most likely Rock Hyraxes

                                          i.    They are like small rabbits who live in the rocks

                                        ii.    They are fragile creatures who are wise enough to live in a place of protection

                                       iii.    They live in the high hills in rock crevasses (Psalm 104:18)

B.   Like the conies we need to recognize we cannot make it on our own (Prov 28:26)

                                          i.    We must lean upon God and not our own understanding (Prov 3:5-6)

                                        ii.    God is our rock and refuge (Psalm 62:5-8)

                                       iii.    We must be humble and lean upon God and one another

1.    If we lift ourself up with pride we will be brought to the valleys

2.    If we let God lift us up only then can we be in the Rock and the “high” hills

IV.          Locusts

A.   Locusts are small insects but they are wise enough to stay together in bands

                                          i.    Like a marching band they are in unity together working toward the same goal

                                        ii.    They can have devastating effects when together (Psalm 105:34)

B.   We can learn about the wisdom of having unity from these insects

                                          i.    God had to confound the people at the tower of Babel because they were unified (Gen 11:6)

1.    Nothing they desired to do could be withheld from them

2.    Think about the effect we can have on Satan’s work in our community if we band together in unity

                                        ii.    Another example would be in Nehemiah’s day

1.    They rebuilt the wall because they had a mind to work (Neh 4:6)

2.    The people witnessed  the speedy recovery of the wall and knew God was involved (Neh 6:15-16)

3.    When we are unified others will see God working in us (John 17:21)

C.   Furthermore, unity means peace

                                          i.    We are to keep unity in the bond of peace (Eph 4:3)

1.    It reminds me of a marriage

2.    When we are not in unity we are certainly not at peace together as we fight or bicker

3.    The same is true of the church as well

                                        ii.    Paul described the Old Testament’s removal being a wall that divided (Eph 2:14)

1.    Jesus is described as being our peace in doing so

2.    When there is a divide there is no peace

V.           Lizards

A.   The KJV says spider but most agree that lizard is the appropriate translation

                                          i.    Lizards are everywhere and very persistent in sticking around

                                        ii.    We are told to avoid fainting when we are chastised of the Lord (Heb 12:5)

                                       iii.    Paul said not to become weary in well doing (Gal 6:9)

                                       iv.    We are to remain faithful until we die (Rev 2:10)

B.   We never know when we might do real good and if we give up we will never know

                                          i.    Peter was fishing all night and caught nothing (Luke 5:4-6)

                                        ii.    Jesus got involved and Peter’s next cast caught too many fish to even bring aboard the boat

                                       iii.    Never give up because your labor will be worth it in time