The Way of the Ant

By Michael Dean

“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6–8)

Tireless workers, fierce protectors, loyal servants, humble and harmonious creatures — no wonder the wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon, instructed us to consider the ant. He passed on a core of knowledge and experience that God says we must have if we are to live successfully. The book of Proverbs is more than a collection of “simple sayings of the wise.” Contained within its pages are the keys to life.

As for the ant, my first experience came earlier in life when I was gifted an “ant farm” for Christmas. You might recall purchasing one for your child or grandchild — just a couple of pieces of clear plastic that snap together to form a container to hold sand and ants. Shazam! The farm was up and running. Not even a minute passed before these busy little creatures were about their business, finding portals for both food and water. Placed on a viewing stand atop my dresser, it felt like they were on a “world stage.” I watched intently as this new addition to my life began carving out a microcosm of tunnels in complete harmony. Little did I know then that this self-contained unit would become a future lesson — a self-contained unit of truth about life and God.

Five decades later, I once again find myself examining this simple little insect, also known as a hexapod — albeit for completely different reasons and circumstances. Now, I am inside a walled community called the Idaho Department of Correction, searching for far more than just wise sayings.

I needed a breakthrough — a life-changing encounter with the Savior through the inter-workings of the Holy Spirit, an ever-present force residing in the heart of a believer.

Proverbs is cast in Hebrew poetry, a rich pattern of rhetoric that shares poetry with many cultures, using a special set of words for effect, sound, and sense. It presents vivid imagery and concise language. The sayings are short, memorable, and transferable to people of all times and places. Sometimes they state the obvious; other times, they reveal what cannot be seen by direct observation.

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“As the church of Christ, we must recognize where our fight lies and not lash out when hardships come.”

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These revelations were handed down to Solomon by the divine Spirit of God to make the simple wise and to guide our path (Proverbs 3:5–6). These truths have surpassed the test of time, for God’s nature and truth never change. The word “proverb” means to rule or govern. Ironically, when it comes to ants, they have no ruler or overseer (6:7). Yet the work gets done. Proverbs are typically used to compare a principle to an ordinary human experience, such as considering the way of the ant.

Suddenly calamity strikes: An unseen force destroys an ant hill — whether by car, roadwork, or construction. It sends the ant colony reeling. Or maybe it was a bored adolescent with an ant farm in his bedroom shaking things up. In either case, the result is the same: ants scurrying about. What happens now? They return to their community, rebuilding, providing, protecting, and loving one another. Yet another consideration.

Unseen Forces

What then is our lesson as humans when calamity, destruction, and poverty hit? We must realize that these things also come from the unseen forces of this world. Our battle is not with flesh and blood, but with the unseen demonic beings working through them — against the principalities, against the powers, against the rulers of this age. As the church of Christ, we must recognize where our fight lies and not lash out when hardships come. Don’t take it out on your neighbor. Armor up (Ephesians 6:10–17), like the ant, to restore one another to love.

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“The hand of God, the master of the universe, tends to His creatures.”

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There is a time to fight. Injustice must be combatted, sin resisted, and evil confronted whenever it appears. Save your energy for the real battles — against sin and God’s enemies. Know your enemy and confront that enemy with God’s Word — the only effective offensive weapon.

Have you ever lost your way, hope, love, home, or freedom? Talk about “ground zero.” Any one of these single events can be catastrophic!

Interestingly, the ant lays down a pheromone — a scent that guides the workers back home, no matter the distance or direction it travels. What security this must be for this tiny little insect! The hand of God, the master of the universe, tends to His creatures. How much more important are we who were made in His image? Woven into the fabric of humanity is the desire to learn and understand. Our minds set us apart from all the rest — to know our Creator and have a relationship with Him.

For this reason, the Son of God came for us, died a terrible death — a debt He did not owe — to pay the price of our sin, a debt we couldn’t pay. Christ sent the Holy Spirit to show us the way. Whether ant or man, He sustains them all. What do we have that the ant does not? Pride!

James has a lot to say about pride — about quarrels and fights, selfish desires, jealousy, evil desires, money, status, and possessions. These paths lead us away from God (James 4:1-4). Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5 NLT).

This is prevenient grace, brothers and sisters — grace that has always been there! Embrace the understanding that whenever you call on the name of Jesus, you will be saved (Romans 10:13).

Today, I’m still learning and considering the way of the ant — a work in progress. Some days are better than others. Three years into my wilderness experience, I’m still in a gated community, waiting for the gates to open.

Points to Ponder

1. I fight now with gratitude, knowing that whatever happens next has been filtered through the hands of the Savior.

2. Love conquers all.

3. Faith erases doubt, and writing the proverbs on the tablet of your heart will guide your path.

4. The enemy can only be defeated by the Word of God.

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