Topical Bible: The Lion: Often Perishes for Lack of Food

◄ The Lion: Often Perishes for Lack of Food ►

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In the biblical context, the lion is frequently used as a symbol of strength, power, and majesty. However, Scripture also presents the lion as a creature that, despite its might, can suffer from scarcity and hunger. This duality serves as a poignant reminder of the limitations of earthly power and the ultimate dependence of all creation on God's provision.

Biblical References:

1. Job 4:10-11 : "The lion may roar, and the fierce lion may growl, yet the teeth of the young lions are broken. The mighty lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered." In this passage, Eliphaz the Temanite speaks to Job, using the imagery of the lion to illustrate the futility of relying solely on one's strength. Despite their fearsome nature, lions can find themselves in dire straits, lacking the sustenance they need to survive. This serves as a metaphor for human vulnerability and the transient nature of worldly power.

2. Psalm 34:10 : "The young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing." Here, the psalmist contrasts the plight of the young lions with the provision experienced by those who seek God. While even the strongest of creatures may face hunger, those who place their trust in the Lord are assured of His care and provision. This verse underscores the theme of divine providence and the sufficiency found in a relationship with God.

3. Amos 3:4 : "Does a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey? Does a young lion growl in his den unless he has captured something?" The prophet Amos uses the behavior of lions to illustrate the certainty of God's judgment. A lion's roar is indicative of its success in hunting, yet the absence of prey leads to silence. This imagery highlights the dependence of even the most formidable creatures on the availability of food, drawing a parallel to the certainty and inevitability of divine action.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

The lion's struggle for sustenance serves as a powerful symbol of the limitations inherent in creation. Despite their strength and dominance, lions are not immune to the challenges of survival. This imagery is used throughout Scripture to remind believers of the futility of relying solely on human strength and the importance of seeking God's provision.

In a broader theological context, the lion's plight can be seen as a reflection of the fallen state of the world, where even the mightiest creatures are subject to the effects of sin and scarcity. This serves as a call to humility and reliance on God, who alone can provide for the needs of His creation.

Practical Application:

For believers, the biblical portrayal of the lion's vulnerability is a call to trust in God's provision rather than in one's own strength or resources. It encourages a posture of humility and dependence on the Lord, recognizing that true security and sustenance come from Him alone. This perspective fosters a deeper faith and reliance on God's promises, as well as a commitment to seeking His kingdom and righteousness above all else.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 4:11
The old lion perishes for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

the Legendary History of Egypt
... the meat and herbs which are his food, the stuffs ... Egyptian Mosu batashu, or Mosu
batashit, are often confounded with ... in the form of a cat or lion, and beheaded ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... It perishes, as a rule, in a cataclysm; its ruin comes like a bolt from the ... of Arrapkha
or of Kharkhar had extorted tribute to the utmost as often as occasion ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... and I shall not trust in vain, that my readers will pardon my lack of skill ... Up to
that time we often saw one another, greeted one another as friends, and joined ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

The Pilgrim's Progress
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm

part i
... said of Thyself: "I am meek and lowly in heart." [44] True it is that often our
evil ... and wine, which are so near to our flesh, being used for our food and drink ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm

part ii
... who ever seeks, like a roaring lion, to devour ... Being covetous, sensual, and proud,
we often look contemptuously ... giveth to the poor shall not lack." Indeed, up ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm