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There is a twofold revelation of God — in the Bible and in nature. In relation to this revelation, men divide into three classes —

1. Those who study neither. Their intellects are submerged in animalism and worldliness.

2. Those who study one and disparage the other. Some devout Christians regard nature as not sufficiently sacred and religious for their investigation. Some scientific men try to turn the results of their researches against the Bible.

3. Those who reverentially study the teachings of both. They treat them as volumes from the same Author.The allusion in the text shows that the Bible encourages the study of nature.

1. It sends us to nature in order to attest its first principles.

2. It refers us to nature for illustrations of its great truths.

3. It refers us to nature in order to reprove the sins it denounces. To reprove us for our spiritual indolence it directs us to the ants. The sluggard we now deal with is the spiritual sluggard, not the secularly indolent man, but the man who is neglecting the culture of his own spiritual nature and the salvation of his own soul. The ants teach these important lessons.

I. THAT THE FEEBLENESS OF YOUR POWER IS NO JUST REASON FOR YOUR INDOLENCE. The ants are feeble, but see how they work. Naturalists have shown their ingenuity as architects, their industry as miners and builders. Remember three things —

1. All power, however feeble, is given for work.

2. You are not required to do more than you have power to accomplish.

3. All power increases by use.

II. THAT THE ACTIVITY OF OTHERS IS NO JUST EXCUSE FOR YOUR INDOLENCE. In the ant-world you will see millions of inhabitants, but not one idler; all are in action. One does not depend upon another, or expect another to do his work. The Christian world is a scene of action, but not one of the million actors can do your work.

III. THAT THE WANT OF A HELPER IS NO JUST EXCUSE FOR YOUR INDOLENCE. Each ant is thrown upon his own resources and powers. Self-reliantly each labours on, not waiting for the instruction or guidance of another. Trust your own instincts; act out your own powers; use the light you have; look to God for help.

IV. THAT THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD IS NO JUST REASON FOR YOUR INDOLENCE. God provides for His creatures through the use of their own powers. He does not do for any creature what He has given that creature power to do for himself.

1. Like these little ants, you have a future.

2. Like these little creatures, you have to prepare for the future.

3. Like these little creatures, you have a specific time in which to make preparation.Then do not talk of Providence as an excuse for your indolence. He has provided for you richly, but He only grants the provision on condition of the right employment of your powers. There is an inheritance for the good, but only on condition of their working. There is a heaven of knowledge, but only for the student. There is a harvest of blessedness, but only to the diligent husbandman. And your harvest-time will soon be over.

(Homilist.)

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KJV: Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

WEB: Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise;