2. • The Ant (family Formicidae)
• Approximately 10,000 species of insects
(order Hymenoptera)
• Three castes, or classes: queens, males, and
workers.
• Typically found in nests
3. • Both plant and animal substances
• Eggs and larvae of other ants or those of
their own species
• Liquid secretions of plants
4. • Body parts: head, abdomen, and thorax
• “Hear” by feeling vibrations
• No lungs
• Two sets of jaws: outer (carrying objects and
digging) and the inner pair (chewing)
• Stinger at the tip of the abdomen (in some
species)
5. • Four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult
• Each class has a specific role
• At certain times of the year, many species
produce winged males and queens
• Have slaves
• Cooperate with other species
6. • Sluggard - a chattering or flighty light
headed person.
• Proverbs 6:6 - Go to the ant, you
sluggard; consider its ways and be wise.
– Proverbs 30:35 - Ants are creatures of little
strength, yet they store up their food in the
summer.
7. • Know your role
• You’re strong enough
• “Feel” what’s happening
• Be patient
• Prepare
• Fellowship
• Rely on God
Editor's Notes
The Ant (family Formicidae) are approximately 10,000 species of insects (order Hymenoptera) that are social in habit and live together in organized colonies. They come in different shapes and sizes. There are generally three castes, or classes, within a colony: queens, males, and workers. Some species live in the nests of other species as parasites. In these species the parasite larvae are given food and nourishment by the host workers. Ants live in just about every part of the world (with the exception of Antarctica, the Arctic, and a handful of islands). Most ants live in nests, which may be located in the ground or under a rock or built above ground and made of twigs, sand, or gravel.
The food of ants consists of both plant and animal substances. Certain species, including those of the genus Formica, often eat the eggs and larvae of other ants or those of their own species. Some species eat the liquid secretions of plants.
An ant has a large head and a slender, oval abdomen joined to the thorax, or midsection, by a small waist. Recent studies show that the structure of an ant’s neck allows ants to hold up to 5,000 times their weight! In all ants there are either one or two finlike extensions running across the thin waist region. The antennae are always elbowed. Ants don’t have ears. Ants “hear” by feeling vibrations in the ground through their feet. Ants don’t have lungs. Oxygen enters through tiny holes all over the body and carbon dioxide leave through the same holes. There are two sets of jaws: the outer pair is used for carrying objects such as food and for digging, and the inner pair is used for chewing. Some species have a powerful sting at the tip of the abdomen.
Ant.
The life cycle of the ant has four stages, including egg, larva, pupa, and adult, and spans a period of 8 to 10 weeks. The queen spends her life laying eggs. The workers are females and do the work of the colony, with larger individuals functioning as soldiers who defend the colony. At certain times of the year, many species produce winged males and queens that fly into the air, where they mate. The male dies soon afterward, and the fertilized queen establishes a new nest. When the queen of the colony dies, the colony can only survive a few months. Queens are rarely replaced and the workers are not able to reproduce. Many species of ants are known to raid neighboring colonies and steal eggs or larvae in a practice known as "dulosis". The forcibly acquired young are then either eaten or put to work. Species that practice dulosis are called, quite simply, "slave-making ants," and they rely on this practice to support their colonies. In fact, some species of ants are thought to be incapable of feeding themselves in the absence of slave labor — to pillage and enslave is all they know.
Webster dictionary, defines sluggard as a chattering or flighty light headed person. In Proverbs 6:6-11, Solomon addresses himself to the sluggard who loves his ease, lives in idleness, has no loyalty and is careless in business and religion. By the way of instruction in verse 6, he sends him to school, for sluggards needs to be schooled. The text seems to indicate that the sluggard is not willing to learn (as my grandmother would say dreaming scholars will never love wakeful teachers) and therefore he has found him another school, as low as he can desire “Go to the ant”.
In observation of the Biblical texts Proverbs 6:6 - Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise. Proverbs 30:35 - Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer. It brings the mind a quote from one of my favorite professors Dr. Richard Goode “The World belongs to the discipline”. Such is the case of an ant. In support of this, Proverbs 30:35 speaks to the strength of the ant though minute and could be consider as weak they are yet industrious in gathering proper food in the summer, the proper time (as my grandmother would say make hay while the sun shine). This is a great advice that we should be wise for futurity. We must prepare for hereafter and not eat up all and lay up nothing but in gathering time, treasure up for spending time. The ant is wise in preparation. The ants help one another; if one has a grain too big to carry home, her neighbors would come to assist. It is our wisdom to improve the season while that favors us (as my grandmother would say “Walk while you have the light”). The ant has no guides, no rulers but is disciplined, following the instinct of nature. We as children of God have far much more, Jesus our Savior, parents, pastors, ministers, coaches, judges, teachers, mentors, family and friends to hold us accountable and remind us of our duty and direct us in it. The ant is used as an example because it utilizes its energy and resources economically. If laziness turns us from our responsibilities, poverty may soon bar us from the legitimate rest we should enjoy.
The Bible teaches us that man is taught more than the beasts of the earth and made wiser than the fowls of the heaven and yet is so degenerated that he may learn wisdom from the meanest and smallest insect and be shamed by them.
In conclusion, God chose this ant because it is a great example of how we should live. It mimics us in how it is built and eats, and it lives all over the world, comes in different shapes and sizes and from various backgrounds. It also functions in a society similar to how most of the world lives in terms classes. Yet, every ant knows its role and continues to contribute to its community’s overall well-being. The ant also serves to remind us that we are much stronger than we give ourselves credit for being, and that we need to stop and “feel” what is really going on rather than relying on our natural hearing ability. Sure, like the ant, there will be those who try to enslave you, and there will be those who are parasites, but every now and then some are chosen by God to “fly” above the normal circumstances and fulfill a greater purpose. The key is to continue to prepare, work together, and continue to rely on God as our life source. Therefore, go to the ant…and be wise!
