Those who live in tropical climates or in the deserts of the southern part of the United States avoid the scorpion. They know a scorpion sting is very painful and sometimes can be fatal. This creature, which will strike anything threatening it, fits the description in the opening Bible verse. Although sometimes seen in daylight, it prefers the dark and will scurry to a dark hiding place if light reaches it.
A scorpion looks rather scary. Its body can be 5 to 8 inches long and is covered with a dark shell which protects it from heat and injury. The scary parts are the two sharp pincers extending from its head and the poisonous stinger at the end of its tail which is usually curled over its back, ready for action. When a large insect or spider comes close, the sharp pincers catch it, and the tail arches over the scorpion’s back and plunges the poisonous stinger into its victim.
Some scorpions have as many as 12 eyes, but most have only 6 or 8. When a scorpion moults (sheds its shell), some of these eyes drop off, but they grow back in when the new outer shell is formed. This happens 4 to 8 times in its short life. Its brain is very simple, but it has been given a keen sense of touch through the hairs that cover its body. In addition, comb-like parts on its abdomen pick up ground vibrations.
Mother scorpions produce their young alive. The little ones are exact miniatures of the parents and stay with their mother several days. She lets them cling to her body with their tiny pincers.
We cannot help but wonder at the way God has equipped scorpions with features that allow them to fit so well into their harsh way of life. He has even made them helpful to mankind in one way — they destroy many harmful insects and spiders.
Scorpions remind us of those people who are without God in their lives, of whom the Bible says that “denying the Lord that bought them . . . bring upon themselves swift destruction.” We are also told that these same people “speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption” (2 Peter 2:1,12). What a sad contrast they are to those who through faith claim the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. A promise is given to these to know “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, [which] shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:77And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)).
This is what God desires for everyone because He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Have you come to repentance?
ML-10/08/2000