The Chronicles of Biscuit - "Why Did God Make Ants?"

Last week I heard Biscuit come into the house crying.  I could tell something was wrong.  It seems that Biscuit and his brothers were playing golf in the field, and Biscuit ended up getting stung by ants.  (And, of course, it was one of his brothers' fault because that's just the way it is with siblings - someone has to be blamed in all situations, right??? Maybe that's just at my house!)  Anyway, I got a insect bite ointment and quickly put it on Biscuit's leg.  The pain and sobbing continued and he blurted out, "Why did God make ants anyway?  Just to bite people?"

Have you ever questioned why God made something?  I have.  I can't really see why he made snakes.  To me they are useless.  What about flies, gnats, lice?  Why, God?  What is their purpose?

I really didn't have an answer for Biscuit, except I thought about the anteater.  I told Biscuit that maybe God made ants for the anteater to have food to eat, to which he replied, "But we don't have anteaters here!"  That's true.  Hmmmmmmm.

Ants are even mentioned in the Bible.  Did you know that?  Yes!  Twice!  First in Proverbs 6:6-8 and then in Proverbs 30:24-25 (I've also listed verses 26-28).

Go to the ant, you sluggard!

Consider her ways and be wise,

Which, having no captain,

Overseer or ruler,

Provides her supplies in the summer,

And gathers her food in the harvest.

Proverbs 6:6-7

There 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 food in the summer;

The rock badgers are a feeble folk,

Yet they make their homes in the crags;

The locusts have no king,

Yet they all advance in ranks;

The spider skillfully grasps with its hands,

And it is in kings’ palaces.

Proverbs 30:24-28

So did God create all of these creatures to teach us lessons?  Quite possibly!  It says that ants are wise and strong.  I want to be wise and strong, don't you?  It says they store food in the summer to prepare for other seasons.  Can't we learn from their example?  Sure we can!

Of course, all of God's creatures - big and small - are part of the food chain.  I wasn't sure what else besides anteaters would eat ants, but after a quick "Google" search, I found that lots of things eat them.

Biscuit's bite stung for a while and eventually went away, but just for that short time, it made us think about one of God's tiny creatures.  That painful situation made both of us think about the ant's purpose in life and made a learning experience for Biscuit to learn more about God.

It's interesting to know and comforting to believe that God's big plan - from the tiny little bugs to the salvation of human souls - is all in His control.