The pronghorn antelope, with its pretty horns, is found only in the western United States and Mexico. It is the size of a small deer, buff-colored, except for white patches on its face and stomach and in back. This coloring allows it to blend in with the prairie colors, so it is hidden from its enemies.
A mother (doe) will use her sharp hoofs to beat off a coyote threatening her young, but otherwise the pronghorn has no real means of defense. However, God has given it strong muscles, enabling it to run 40 miles an hour or more. In fact, the Creator has given it many special features.
Its eyes, which are as large as a horse’s, are far back on the side of its head, which gives it a great circle of sharp vision. When it sees something threatening it raises up the white patch around its tail. This is a warning signal to its companions, and they all run away. The Creator gave them the instinct to have one of their group always stand watch. Even when they lie down they face in different directions, so a coyote, bobcat or dog cannot take them by surprise. Their soft hair contains a great number of air cells, insulating their bodies from the cold. In hot weather special skin muscles make their hair “stand up,” so the circulation of air can cool their bodies. All of these unusual provisions remind us of the wonders of God’s creation in the great variety of things He has placed on the earth.
Twins, or sometimes just one (called kids), are born in the springtime. Their eyes are already open, and they are able to stand on their little legs right away. Prowling animals cannot easily find them, because they give off no scent at this time. At ten months they are fully grown, and by the end of a year they join the parents as the fastest long-distance runners in America.
What gets the pronghorn into trouble is its curiosity about things it cannot identify. For instance, hunters will tie a piece of cloth to a stick and wave it in the air while remaining hidden. The animal comes toward it to see what it’s all about, and the hunter shoots it. This is just like the person who knows that the Bible teaches the way “which leadeth unto life” (Matt. 7:1414Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:14)), but who is tempted to investigate the things Satan and the world offer. Satan is always ready to deceive all who will be attracted by these temptations, leading them into tragedy and sorrow.
The Bible says: “Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:1616Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. (Jeremiah 6:16). As the opening verse advises, do not be like the foolish pronghorn, getting into trouble by leaving the right path. The Lord will give you the strength to stand firm and show you the right way. His invitation is: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee.” Psalms 50:1515And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (Psalm 50:15).
ML-06/05/1983