Nature as Our Lesson Book

“But ask now the beasts and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee; or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.” Job 12:7-8.

How can man find out the character of God or learn the secrets of God? The character of God is revealed in His writings, and all these secrets of God cannot be found out without God’s help, of how sin entered into the world, the incarnation of Christ, the resurrection of Christ and many other things. Man is not able to discover these truths with his own knowledge; it is a mystery, and for this reason proof is given by God in His Word. Around us are many great mysteries of God that man can not understand by his own knowledge. Some things that man thinks are simple, are great things of God.

Common to this age are people who live, thinking they are the rulers of themselves. They do not realize that this is wrong thinking. It is good to hear and obey that which is explained in the Holy Bible.

Meaningful Counsel

“Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength… where no counsel is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety… But he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise… But to the counsellors of peace is joy… without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established… Every purpose is established by counsel.” Proverbs 8:14; 11:14; 12:14,20; 15:22; 20:18.

In all things, listen and do God’s will and your success will be a cheerful experience. On this subject, there is a phrase in the Tamil language that says, the gooseberry tastes bitter first, and then you taste flavor. So the advice of God first tastes bitter to young people, and then they taste flavor afterwards.

For lessons that come from God and through His nature, it is our humble duty to give heed to it, for it is our duty if we expect to become worthy men. The Bible tells us if do not heed the God’s teaching, it is considered a great sin. Adam and Eve ate the fruit, rejecting the warning of the Creator, and because of this sin entered in this world.

Even if a man receives a high education, he should look upon himself that he is a man poor in knowledge and accept valuable advice from God. It is man’s nature to think or say that he is highly educated, and a brilliant scholar. God teaches us many lessons through nature. We have many sources from nature where we can collect knowledge; some examples are animals, birds, earth, and fish in the sea.

We Learn From Animals

Animals were created on the fifth and sixth day and we can learn from them. From the small ant to the big elephant, lessons can be learned.

Man has invented scientific devices to be able to detect earthquakes before they occur. At the same time the animals, who have no knowledge of these inventions are able to sense an earthquake before it occurs and are able to escape from its destruction.

If we listen to the daily news, we hear of monkeys milking puppies, the dog milking the young lion, the cat and rat both milking together. What a wonder this is. Some animals are able to live together without any fear in this age of increased knowledge. But where has this type of love and unity gone from man? Why do we see brother against brother, and parents against children? In looking at mankind, Jesus speaks truth and peace and says the following, “And a man’s foes will be those of his own household” Mathew 10:36; Micah 7:6.

For those who understood the truth very well and have known the love of Christ, and turn away from it, it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to then. But it has happened to them according to the proverb, “The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and a sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire” I Peter 2:21, 22; Proverbs 26:11.

Man must work very hard to receive his daily needs. Slothful hands refuse to labor. Because slothfulness casts one into a deep sleep, “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand.” Proverbs 21:25; 19:15; 10:4 This type of person shows no interest in doing any work. “The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. The slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.” Proverbs 26:13, 15.

From which source may these people receive knowledge? What is said about this in the Bible? “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.” Proverbs 6:6-11.

Man can learn valuable lessons from a small ant. “There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not: The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.” Proverbs 30:18,19. These are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise. “The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; The conies are but a feeble folk, yet they make their houses in the rocks; the locusts have no king, yet they go forth all of them by bands; the spider, taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces. Proverbs 30:24–28. These are lessons we can learn from animals.

We Learn From Birds

We can learn lessons also from birds. According to continual changes in the atmosphere, birds also change their dwelling places to other continents with a suitable atmosphere and stay there. Birds rise early in the morning and sing praises to the Lord who created them. Often an alarm is necessary for man to know that dawn has come. So likewise is the early morning singing of the birds. While the birds rise and sing early in the morning, giving warning to man that it is dawn, the man may still be sleeping. “Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open your eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread… And drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.” Proverbs 20:13; 23:21.

Each different bird has different instincts. And from this man can learn. Sharing takes place in nature; in the life of a family of crows, they do not eat available food alone, but call others also to share it. We can learn from this practice. “Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.” 1 Corinthians 11:33.

More than a man cares for his own children, our Lord heartily cares for His children. “The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.” Psalm 34:10. Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithall shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” Matthew 6:31, 32. “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” Matthew 6:26.

In this age of increased knowledge, technology related to communication is greatly increased. In past ages man used birds and animals as the medium of communication. Messages were carried by birds and animals. Looking at the birds flying, man was inspired to invent aircraft. “Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?” Isaiah 60:8

Oh living mankind! Please turn back to the past, as to how they lived together without any harm to one other in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve who were there, lived happily in communion with God and nature.

“Very happy were the holy pair in Eden. Unlimited control was given them over every living thing. The lion and the lamb sported together peacefully and harmlessly around them, or slumbered at their feet. Birds of every variety of color and plumage flitted among the trees and flowers, and about Adam and Eve, while their mellow toned music echoed among the trees in sweet accord to the praises of their Creator.” 1 sp, p. 25.

Soon we shall we again come together and live happily, as it was in Eden, praising God, living in harmony with nature. We need to be praying and longing for that expected day to come soon!
Amen!!