Topical Bible: Insects: Fed by God

◄ Insects: Fed by God ►

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In the biblical narrative, insects are often depicted as part of God's creation, serving various roles within the divine order. One of the most intriguing aspects of insects in the Bible is their role in demonstrating God's provision and care, both for His people and for the natural world.

Provision for Elijah:

One of the most notable instances of insects being used by God to provide sustenance is found in the account of the prophet Elijah. During a time of drought and famine, God commanded ravens to bring Elijah food. While ravens are birds, they are often associated with scavenging and are known to feed on insects, highlighting the interconnectedness of God's creation. In 1 Kings 17:4-6 , it is written: "And you are to drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there." The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and evening, showcasing God's miraculous provision through His creatures.

Locusts as Sustenance:

In the New Testament, John the Baptist is described as living in the wilderness, where his diet consisted of locusts and wild honey. Matthew 3:4 states: "John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey." Locusts, a type of insect, were considered clean according to Levitical law (Leviticus 11:22), and thus permissible for consumption. This highlights how God provided for John in a simple yet sufficient manner, using the resources available in his environment.

Lessons from the Ant:

Insects also serve as examples of diligence and wisdom in the Scriptures. The book of Proverbs uses the ant to teach a lesson about hard work and foresight. Proverbs 6:6-8 advises: "Walk in the manner of the ant, O sluggard; observe its ways and be wise: Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest." Here, the ant is portrayed as a model of industriousness, gathering food and preparing for the future, a reflection of God's wisdom instilled in even the smallest of His creatures.

God's Sovereignty Over Insects:

Insects are also depicted as instruments of God's judgment and power. The plagues of Egypt, as described in the book of Exodus, include swarms of locusts sent by God to devastate the land (Exodus 10:12-15). These events demonstrate God's sovereignty over creation, using insects to fulfill His purposes and to show His might to Pharaoh and the Egyptians.

Conclusion:

In the biblical context, insects are more than mere creatures; they are part of the divine tapestry of life, used by God to provide, teach, and execute His will. Through their roles, they reveal aspects of God's character, such as His provision, wisdom, and sovereignty, serving as reminders of His care for all creation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 104:25,27
So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 145:9,15
The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Source of Power
... howling storms might seek to quench it, because fed by oil ... can do, and leave the
rest with God,' sure that ... We are like coral insects, whose reef is one, though ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the source of power.htm

Anxious About Earth, or Earnest About the Kingdom
... with attention at examples of unanxious lives abundantly fed. ... 'God clothes the grass
of the field' is a ... depend on the visits of insects, God established the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/anxious about earth or earnest.htm

The God of Peace
... Small tiny insects: God can see the animalculae, therefore he can ... all the while to
think how God had heard ... all those three hundred children had been fed by my ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the god of peace.htm

The Preaching of Nature.
... The song of birds, the hum of insects, every voice in ... strive to do our best, and
leave the result to God. ... land, and be doing good, and verily we shall be fed. ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon l the preaching of.htm

Death.
... which roam among them, and the millions of millions of insects which buzz ... the knowledge
of their heavenly Father, and bidding them see how God fed the birds ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xviii death.htm

Of the Conversion of Evodius, and the Death of his Mother when ...
... the hours in which they were very temperately fed at their ... our souls, what didst
Thou at that time, O my God? ... by the plagues of Egypt,--tiny insects, if they ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter viii of the conversion of.htm

The Demoniac of Gadara
... And they that fed them fled, and told it in the city ... a man, or as the Son of the
living God, that His ... down by hail, or a vineyard devastated by insects, and in ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 5 1-20 the demoniac of.htm

Matt. xxii. 1-14.
... For those insects pursue a business free from all blame, but we follow ... to them nature
has assigned that they should be thus fed, but us God hath honored ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxix matt xxii 1-14.htm

How a Man's Conduct Comes Home to Him
... understand it till you discover that certain little insects had silently ... with the
spring within my soul which is fed by the all-sufficiency of God, I reply ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/how a mans conduct comes.htm

The Treasure Cave
... "The Lord God break them in ... a dozen linen sacks set there, but the mice and insects
had gnawed ... They lived here, I am convinced, and fed upon the food offerings ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xx the treasure cave.htm