Let the Earth bring forth the Living Creature

They had the ark at the zoo, it contained a well-placed gift shop

I had this week the wonderful opportunity to visit the Jerusalem Zoo. Now nothing of known biblical significance happened at the location of the zoo but it is a zoo that focused on the endemic species of Israel with a particular emphasis on those appearing in the bible. Thus, bible in hand, I went to appreciate some of the wondrous creations of God.

2 Kings 2:23-24. In this scripture the prophet Elisha has just healed the waters of Jericho and is on his way back home to Mt Carmel. While passing through Beth-el he encounters a number of youth who proceed to mock him and call him names. “Go up, thou bald head” cry the youth. The prophet turns back and looks at the youth. I do not know how much of the event is summarized in that phrase but in the next recorded moment the prophet of God, newly called with the death of Elijah, curses the youth. I’m sure there must have been a great deal more than a glance when he looked back. In any case two she bears walk out of the wood and maul 42 of the children. As we read this gazing at the rare Syrian bear, which no longer exists in Israel but would have been the specie present at that time. It was a small bear, roughly the size of a black bear but with nearly white fur and ears that appeared too large. It stared back at us with a hungry rebellious challenge.  I wonder if it knows that aspect of history.

1 Kings 20:35-37. Soon after the bears we came upon the Lions. As we are reading the books of Kings currently the first story to come to mind was a random story which I have never heard explained. One of the sons of the prophets, which I take to mean prophet, approached his neighbor with an odd question. “Smite me, I pray thee.” I imagine his neighbor was a fairly nice guy because he refuses. No, I’m not going to hit my neighbor much less a prophet. As a result the prophet curses the neighbor and as soon as he leaves a lion comes upon him and slays him. The prophet finds someone else to fulfill his request. The prophet had his reasons for appearing wounded which are revealed later. I wonder if that small story doesn’t apply somehow to callings. God wants us to perform when he calls us. If we say no someone else will be given the spot. We will miss out on valuable growth and perhaps provoke a sin or temptation to come and slay us. Seeing the large cat watch us through half-closed eyes I could sense to some degree the terror the people must have had knowing that such creatures were roaming free and hungry around their towns.

Daniel 6:1-24. A confession, my name is Daniel. So the next story the lions brought to mind was pretty easy to come up with. I appreciate more every time I read it the power contained in the book of Daniel. In limited space I can only drop a few lines that seemed significant at the time. Daniel prayed three times a day, pointing his prayers toward Jerusalem, just like the Jews the world over still do today. The king after realizing that his decree has prescribed death for his favorite casts him into the den of lions which the words “Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.” What a true statement from the pagan king! Our God, the God of the whole earth really, will deliver us when (and if) we serve him continually. That is the conditional for salvation. Ok, so one point for those who argue for works over faith. Next it says that the king passes the night fasting scorning his usual entertainment of music and sleep. I wrote in my bible prayer as well, for surely a long night of deep ponderous fasting would lead to prayer. How often I have been disturbed and led to the same thing; lying awake, replaying again and again the actions of the day, begging the Lord for a miracle. Oh how wonderful Daniel’s response must have been “O king, live forever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me.” I see acknowledgment of a suffering servant for the prayers of others on his behalf. The lions at the zoo were sleepy with food and heat. In such a state it is easy to imagine passing a night curled up next to them, even forgetting the danger they impose (which is readily revealed by the way they break in pieces the bones of Daniel’s enemies “ever they came at the bottom of the den”) How many of our terrible vices appear large soft pillows when the lights are out? Morning always comes though and light brings consequences. Then we will learn whether or not we have been faithful in believing in our God.