The Wonders of God’s Creation
This peculiar little animal—less than a foot long—is well-known in many parts of Europe, Asia and Africa, but does not make its home in America, although the porcupine is something like it.
As one of the weaker animals that would be readily killed by larger ones, God has given it a very effective defense from its enemies and ability to care for itself even in harsh surroundings. It knows how to make a comfortable nest of woven moss, grass and leaves that is waterproof and even in heavy rains keeps it and its little ones warm and dry. How do you suppose it learned to do this?
Sometimes it will burrow into a rabbit’s runway and make its home there, or will go under the roots of a tree, where it is safe with a good strong roof over it. For getting into such places it has sharp claws on powerful front feet, which enable it to dig quickly, not only in making its home, but also in finding grubs, slugs, worms and insects that make up its diet.
But the most distinctive thing about a hedgehog is the suit of armor with which God has prided it. From its neck to its short stubby tail it is covered along its back and sides with sharp spines, sticking out in every direction. When attacked, it just draws its legs up under its stomach, tucks its head under its chest and immediately becomes a round ball of sharp bristles, safe from its enemies. If it didn’t do this right the very first time, it would be quickly killed, wouldn’t it? But it didn’t need to practice, for God gave it that wisdom when it was born.
The hedgehog is helpful to man in at least one way: it is a natural enemy of snakes, especially the poisonous viper. When it finds one of these dangerous serpents, it quickly seizes it by the tail and then gets into its curled-up position with the snake’s tail in its mouth. The angry viper strikes against the prickly spines again and again until it almost hacks itself to pieces. The hedgehog then finishes it off and makes a meal of it.
Do you think the hedgehog gave itself such a protective armor or taught itself how to do these amazing things? No, God, who cares for all His creatures provided it with its unusual features. As the Scripture says: “In whose hand (the hand of God) is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:1010In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12:10).
This verse reminds us that, while God cares for every creature, He considers mankind separate from all others. He does, indeed, care for such an odd little animal as the hedgehog, but it is important to realize He has a special interest in every human being and wants us all, through faith in Christ, to be His children. He tells us: “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:33The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. (Jeremiah 31:3). He reminds us that “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 4:77Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. (Hebrews 4:7).
ML-06/22/1980