On both the Atlantic and Pacific seacoasts great numbers of people gather each year to watch the migrations of humpbacked whales. They sometimes see whole schools throwing their big bodies into the air, as if competing with one another. At other times they are seen "lob-tailing" (standing on their heads with the rest of their bodies in the air), waving their big flukes and making huge splashes when they drop back to the surface.
Frequently they lift their tails above the water and bring them down, making tremendous waves. At other times they swim at great speed and "breach," leaping clear of the water and landing their entire bodies in one great splash. No wonder people gather by the thousands to see these performances!
As a porpoise will often do, some of these giants play tag with a large boat for an hour or so, coming up on one side, swimming under and popping up on the other, to the amusement of all on board. Playful by nature, they seem to enjoy showing off in all these ways.
The long migrations end in warm, shallow bays where calves are born under water. Some of these new calves are as long as 13 feet. Usually a female "nurse" is on hand and helps the mother push the newborn up to the surface for its first breath of fresh air. Isn't it amazing that the little one has been given an instinct by the Creator so that it doesn't breathe in water right after birth and drown? After experiencing fresh air for the first time, it drops back, and, again, a God-given instinct tells it to drink the warm rich milk of its mother. While doing this it must return to the surface for more air over and over again, until its hunger is satisfied.
The fathers (bulls) have a large number of mothers (cows) and calves for which they are responsible, but when danger comes they usually swim away, leaving the cows to take care of themselves and the little ones. That's not very brave of them, is it?
It is interesting that in the Bible where the ocean is spoken of it says: "There is that leviathan [whale], whom Thou hast made to play therein." Psa. 104:2626There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein. (Psalm 104:26). So we see that the Lord God, the Creator, intended whales to enjoy their playfulness, just as boys and girls do. And He is pleased for young people to be happy and playful, as long as they are also obedient, kind and thoughtful of others. True happiness is one of His great gifts and comes from faith in Him and His Word which tells us: "Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he." Prov. 16:2020He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he. (Proverbs 16:20). Is this true of you?