Rattlesnakes, 47 kinds of them, are common throughout North America. The largest and deadliest, the eastern diamondback, is as much as eight feet long and as big around as a man's forearm. It is one of a group known as "pit vipers," so named from two cone-shaped pits located in front of each eye and below them. These are sensitive to heat radiated from animals, and this is how it locates them in the dark. During daylight it depends more on keen sight and smell with its flicking tongue helping to pick up odors.
Almost everything is an enemy of the rattler, including many large birds and animals and even some snakes that attack and eat it, so its life is not an easy one. In Prov. 13:1515Good understanding giveth favor: but the way of transgressors is hard. (Proverbs 13:15) we are told "the way of transgressors is hard," and in Gal. 6:77Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7) the Scripture says: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Many a boy and girl whose life is full of rebellion has found this to be very true. How happy it is when they express this prayer: "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psa. 51:1010Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10).
The first "button" on the snake's rattle grows about ten days after birth, and a new one is added each time it sheds its skin. Usually this happens as much as six or eight times a year.
The rattler's reputation is worse than it deserves. Its main interest in life is to find food, and it does this as quietly as possible. It prefers to hide when a large animal or a human comes along. Unless taken by surprise or provoked, it will seldom attack them. But when surprised, it coils its body and is so tense that its tail vibrates rapidly, making the buttons "rattle." Its action in striking is so fast, the human eye cannot follow it. With its mouth wide open, two long, hollow teeth get into position, the flesh covering them automatically pulls back. These fangs, piercing the flesh, put poison in the wound. Small creatures die quickly. Larger animals seldom die, but have severe pain and learn to stay away from these serpents. When humans are bitten, a medicine (anti-venin) serum) is available in every section of the country. Without this medicine, severe pain and even death could result.
Although rattlesnakes do a great deal of good in killing rats, mice, gophers and other harmful rodents, and although God has provided many special features for them, they still are vicious creatures. We are reminded that the Bible refers to our great enemy as "that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world." Rev. 12:99And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Revelation 12:9). But the Lord Jesus, who gave His life on Calvary and destroyed the works of the devil, will turn all who believe on Him "from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins." Acts 26:1818To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Acts 26:18). Have you been delivered from the power of Satan's darkness and been brought into the wonderful light of Christ's salvation?