(Part 1)

JBTM Daniel I. Block
82
But what are we to make of the lizard in the king’s palace? I suppose we first need to
explain what kind of reptile we are talking about. Verse 24
An Israelite Lizard (Gecko)
suggests the text is not talking about massive reptiles like
Hemidactylus turcicus
the Komodo dragon from Indonesia (10 feet long and
weighing up to 150 pounds), but a little creature that fits in
a class with ants, hyraxes, and locusts. In fact, this is a little
gecko that scientists identify as the hemidactylus turcicus, a
species that is found all around the Mediterranean. It is
known unscientifically as the “Moon Lizard,” because they
come out in the evening. These are insectivores that rarely
exceed six inches long. They are harmless to humans and
often find their way into houses. So the sight the poet sees is
not in itself rare, but it is odd. What is this little creature doing in the king’s palace? People
normally enter the king’s house only by invitation or only on official business. He finds this
curious, but lacking modern scientific research methods or instruments, he tries to get a
handle on this puzzle by placing it alongside other puzzles involving little creatures.
He casts his reflections in the form of what we call a climactic numerical proverb.
Actually this chapter contains a whole series of these numerical proverbs (vv. 11–31). Most
of these begin with parallel statements, “There are three things that are . . . Indeed, four
that . . .” (vv. 15b, 18, 21, 24, 29).
1. That are never satisfied: Sheol, the barren womb, the earth, fire. None of these
ever has enough (vv. 15b–16).
2. That are inexplicable: how an eagle flies, how a serpent walks without feet, how
a ship makes its way on the sea, and the way of a man with maid (vv. 18–19).
3. That are intolerable: a slave becoming king, a fool with a full stomach, an
unlovable woman who gets married, a maidservant who replaces her mistress
(vv. 21–23).
4. That are small but amazingly efficient and effective—they achieve their goals:
ants preparing food in summer; hyraxes making homes in rocks; locusts going
out in force without a king; a lizard rising to the top of the human social ladder
(vv. 24–28).
5. That walk proudly: lion, strutting cock, the billy goat, the king (vv. 29–31).
You will notice that these are all observations on natural phenomena. This is how
the wisdom writers work. In Proverbs you never hear, “The word of the Lord came to me
saying,” or “This is what the Lord God says.” No, assuming that all truth is God’s truth,
sages observe events, whether human experience or the behavior of creatures and they
arrive at conclusions about life (Prov 6:6–11):
6
Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise.