Most people are familiar with honeybees. They are very useful in pollinating flowers, fruit tree blossoms and other plant life, as well as being the source of delicious honey. They, as well as wasps and other insects, are all an important part of God’s creation. However, in attempting to develop or improve certain characteristics of particular creatures, breeders sometimes interfere with the plan God has made for these creatures, and that is almost certain to lead to trouble.
Sad to say, that’s how killer bees have become a serious problem in areas of South and Central America. About 1950, some were brought to Brazil from their natural God-given African homes. Beekeepers wanted to crossbreed them with honeybees of Brazil so they would produce greater amounts of honey, and then the beekeepers would make larger profits. But, unknown to breeders at that time, it was a serious mistake.
There are thousands of species of bees in the world, but only honeybees make honey and wax that man can use. And there are only four kinds of honeybees: the German, the Western, the European and the African. Each species lives in its own geographical location with a particular nature best suited to its surroundings. The bees in Africa, for instance, have different circumstances to cope with in the wild life of that country than the Western bees have. African bees defend themselves by flying together in huge, angry swarms and attacking their enemies with hundreds of stings.
The unwise crossbreeding experiments in Brazil resulted in a new type of bee called “killer bees.” These are actually a cross between the African and the Western honeybees, with a few German honeybees also included. These killer bees attack in large masses when bothered and annoyed, and many animals and even people have been killed by their many stings since these experiments started.
Since 1985, these vicious bees have gradually worked their way northward into Mexico and even into the southern parts of the United States. It does not appear that they will be a serious problem farther north. That’s because they prefer the warmer climates of the south, similar to the climates of Africa and South America.
This tragic experiment and resulting trouble should remind all of us that only God’s ways are perfect, and men should be very careful before making changes in them. How much better it would be for each of us to follow what the beginning Bible verse says and to remember Psalm 25:4-54Show me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. 5Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. (Psalm 25:4‑5): “Show me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation.”
ML-10/08/2017