“The wicked are estranged ... speaking lies. Their poison is like the poison of a serpent.” Psalm 58:3-4
Rattlesnakes are common throughout North America. Of the forty-seven kinds, the largest and deadliest is the eastern diamondback. Some are as long as eight feet and as big around as a man’s forearm. It is one of a group known as pit vipers. This name comes from two cone-shaped pits located in front of and below each eye. 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; its flicking tongue helps to pick up odors.
The first “button” on a 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 often 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 person comes along. Unless taken by surprise or provoked, it will seldom attack. But when surprised, it coils its body and is so tense that its tail vibrates rapidly, making the buttons rattle. Its striking action is so fast that the human eye cannot follow it. Two long, hollow fangs pierce the flesh and inject poison into the wound. Small creatures die quickly; larger animals seldom die but have severe pain. When humans are bitten, a medicine (antivenin) is available in every area of the country. Without this medicine, severe pain and even death could result.
The rattler has numerous enemies, including many large birds and animals, and even some snakes will attack it. Its life is not an easy one. In Proverbs 13:15 we are told, “The way of transgressors is hard,” and Galatians 6:7 says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man [sows], that shall he also reap.” Often a boy or girl whose life is full of rebellion has found this to be very true. How good it is when they pray this prayer: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).
Although rattlesnakes do a great deal of good in killing rats, mice, gophers and other harmful rodents, 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 [deceives] the whole world” (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 26:18). Have you been delivered from the power of Satan’s darkness and been brought into the wonderful light of Christ’s salvation?
ML-08/28/2011