The Exceedingly Wise Ant

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 7
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“The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer.”
Proverbs 30:2525The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; (Proverbs 30:25)
Everyone is familiar with ants. They are found in all parts of the world except the North and South poles. Like people, ants do not live alone; they live and work with other ants in groups called colonies.
An ant’s life begins as an egg which hatches into a larva. The larva cannot move and has to be fed by adult ants. Eventually the larva spins a cocoon. Adult ants are very protective of these cocoons, taking them to a “nursery room” where they watch over them constantly. If the colony decides to move or if they fear the attack of an enemy, the cocoons are carried to a new home. You may have seen this in a disturbed ant nest and thought they were carrying white eggs. Actually, the eggs are so small they can hardly be seen. Later, when the pupae break out of their cocoons, they are fully developed ants, ready to take their place in the colony.
Most ants have compound eyes with many, many facets, each acting as a separate eye. However, it is the antennae’s sense of smell that directs them in finding food, locating other ants or finding their nests. They are also helped by a sensitive touch through the antennae on their heads.
Ants cannot eat solid food. It may look like they are eating bits of food, but they are actually covering it with digestive juices. These juices break down the solids into liquids which they can lap with their tongues. The species called fungus ants chew leaves into pulp which they place in their nests. Fungi live on this moist material, and the ants eat these fungi as their only source of food. Because they need a constant supply, they tend the fungi beds just as a gardener tends his garden.
How have all their abilities and habits come about? God has given them these outstanding qualities, and we may be sure He watches over and cares for them. Do you think He would like us to find an object lesson in their busy and industrious lives? I think so, since He does not look with favor on idleness and has told us, “If any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:1010For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10)). Ants don’t loaf.
Another Scripture says, “It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth” (Lamentations 3:2727It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. (Lamentations 3:27)). We should never tire of well-doing and always remember the pattern of the Lord Jesus who “went about doing good” (Acts 10:3838How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 10:38)). But it is a serious thought that your best efforts to do good are of no use if you do not know the Lord Jesus as your very own Saviour, “for without faith it is impossible to please [God]” (Hebrews 11:66But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)).
ML-08/12/2001