The Wonders of God’s Creation
If you visit country fields or camp in wooded areas, you may have wondered why you so seldom see dead animals or birds. One reason is that many of them are eaten by other animals and birds.
But there is another quite interesting reason why many small dead bodies disappear. A black beetle, about 1 to 11/2 inches long when full-grown and with bright orange markings on its wings, acts as an undertaker whenever it can. It is called the “Sexton Beetle.” This active little insect’s sensitive antennae search out the odor of a dead mouse, bird, snake or other dead creatures. Approaching the carcass (dead body), it inspects it carefully with its feelers. Satisfied that it is dead, it begins a peculiar routine.
It first crawls under the carcass, going back and forth from front to back, apparently measuring it. Then it seems to lose interest, because it leaves and explores the surface of the ground nearby, occasionally returning to look over the carcass. It finds a suitable area and digs several holes, loosening the soil and carrying it off to one side. This is the start of the grave digging.
Without bothering to rest, it returns to the animal and begins heaving and tugging the carcass toward this grave. Having moved it an inch or so, it looks it over again and returns to enlarge the hole. Then back to its prize and soon off again to make the hole a little bigger. This process goes on for several hours.
As other beetles are attracted to this activity, it chases away all the other males. But if a female shows up, it allows her to help him. Between them they push and pull the limp body toward the pit. After several hours they get it to the edge of its final resting place. Then they push the carcass into the hole, and dirt is scraped back in to cover it. They leave one side uncovered with enough space left for them to move around easily.
Then the female lays eggs next to the dead body. While waiting for the eggs to hatch, the parents feed on the carcass. After the newly hatched grubs appear, the adults feed them from the carcass until they can take care of themselves, and then the parents leave. Hover, they leave tunnels in the soil so the grubs can find their way to the surface after they mature and become grave diggers themselves.
Isn’t this an interesting way in which the Creator has arranged for the disposal of dead bodies that otherwise would become very unpleasant? It is another example of His wisdom in all that He has created. But He has done something far greater than this. His death on Calvary has atoned for the sins of all who trust in Him, so they can share heaven with Him for eternity.
Are you included in those who have come to Him, admitting you are a helpless sinner? Have you thanked Him for dying for you and taken Him as your Lord and Saviour?
ML-11/01/1981