Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
The ant provides its meat in summer and gathers its food in harvest, laying up store in season against seasons to come. That storing is steady, diligent, persevering, purposeful labor, working on through the time of plenty with the time of want in view. It does this work having no guide, overseer, or ruler to drive or direct it, showing a self-directed faithfulness that needs no watching.
Its example reproves idleness and the sinful wasting of time, setting the ant's foresight and industry against the sluggard's inactivity. Diligence is therefore the lesson, with faithfulness in wisely improving God-given abilities and doing the appointed work God calls His people to do. Practically this means industrious work and frugal living instead of living as an idler dependent on others, making self-support a worthy ambition.
Spiritually the same preparation points forward, for as the ant prepares for future seasons so people are to prepare for the future immortal life. That immortal life is what God has secured and provided for fallen humanity.
The ant provides its meat in summer and gathers its food in harvest, laying up store in season against seasons to come. That storing is steady, diligent, persevering, purposeful labor, working on through the time of plenty with the time of want in view. It does this work having no guide, overseer, or ruler to drive or direct it, showing a self-directed faithfulness that needs no watching.
Its example reproves idleness and the sinful wasting of time, setting the ant's foresight and industry against the sluggard's inactivity. Diligence is therefore the lesson, with faithfulness in wisely improving God-given abilities and doing the appointed work God calls His people to do. Practically this means industrious work and frugal living instead of living as an idler dependent on others, making self-support a worthy ambition.
Spiritually the same preparation points forward, for as the ant prepares for future seasons so people are to prepare for the future immortal life. That immortal life is what God has secured and provided for fallen humanity.