No, God did NOT create the character trait known as sloth! In fact, that is a sin, laziness! But God did create the animals that man has named the “sloth.”

This little mammal lives in the rain forests of Central and South America. With their long hair and shaggy fur, they resemble monkeys. They are two to two and a half feet long (tall) and weigh between 10-17 pounds, on average.

This little creature loves to sleep! If undisturbed, he can log as many as 18 hours a day snoozing away! He or she mostly lives in trees, his feet are structured so that walking on hard ground is uncomfortable! And when he is on the move, it takes an entire minute to travel a mere 14 feet!

Oh, this too. They live in the trees, as I said, but love to hang up there upside down! Most of their lives are spent in that awkward position!

He is so stationary (seldom moving far) that tiny plants grow on its fur! Green algae, to be a little more specific. This phenomenon makes this unique creature look like he’s part of the tree itself! Good protection, in fact! A typical enemy, predator of his … the flying eagle, especially when the sloth is young and more vulnerable! (I see God’s creativity in every line I am typing!)

He is not a social creature, either! Seldom seen in pairs! Usually if “two” are spotted, you are looking at a mother and child.

Now I am wondering exactly how they catch their food. Being so slow, so inactive. The answer: they survive on the very leaves of the trees they inhabit!

Can you understand why he is called that, a “sloth?” Which is permissible (I guess) in the animal world. But certainly not in the real world of human beings!

The Bible’s predominant word for “slothfulness” derives from the Hebrew “atsel,” meaning “lazy, sluggish,” or of course “slothful!”

Here’s one Bible character who is too lazy to even eat, to feed himself! “A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.” Proverbs 19:24

A danger of such laziness? “The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.” Proverbs 21:25

And apparently a slothful man makes up excuses not to leave his tree … I mean his house! “The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.” Proverbs 22:13

Sloths (the mammals) love to sleep, as we saw above. So do lazy humans, sleep too much! “As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.” Proverbs 26:14

I have heard (read) enough!

I want to avoid sloth in every area of my life!

Here’s a therapeutic verse … “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” Solomon in Ecclesiastes 9:10.

Paul wisely adds … “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord.” Colossians 3:23

Now Jesus our Lord teaches us, most importantly of all … “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” John 9:4

Let’s WORK, not being LAZY, until Jesus comes again!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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A fish that knows “archery?”

It seems so. A God given talent, an acquired ability extended to a little sea creature!

Remember a Line from Job 12:8 … “The fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.”

This little fellow is only 5-6 inches long, and when near shore can play the part of a submarine hunting for the enemy!

The fish (underwater, mind you) can spot a “meal” as small as a ladybug six feet high on a bush or tree! And it can “spit” a jet of water from its submerged position to water’s surface then onward to its “target.” The stunned ladybug then falls into the water and the rest is history! A meal to be enjoyed!

What a “gun!”

What an accurate system of calculating and aiming just the right trajectory to hit its “target!”

Scientists cannot yet understand the “how” of Mr. Archerfish’s amazing skill!

I read this too. Archerfish do not have this ability from birth! They learn (that’s intelligence) to feed themselves via their shooting ability!

In a way (excuse me please) the little archerfish is smarter (wiser) than many humans!

He learns “shoot” this way through practice, much practice! (Or so say those who have observed these little fish for years.)

Through “persistence!”

We might say “faithfulness!”

And really that’s the “key” to successful Christian living too.

Learning, especially God’s Word!

Being faithful to one’s task!

Spotting nuggets of food and nourishing oneself thereby!

Like the “milk” of the Word! The “bread and meat” of God’s Word too! As well as the “honey” of Scripture. (“Sweeter than honey in the honeycomb!” Psalm 19:10)

Lots of lessons, wise lessons can be learned from God’s creation, including this little “water spitting” fish!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

“Lord, give us all the spirit of a learner. Especially in the things of God.”

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His (or her) name derives from two Latin words. “Porcus” means “pig” in that ancient tongue. And “spine” means “thorn!” An animal that has a pig-like shape and can wound an attacker with his thorns, spears, quills!

The little creature has around 30,00 of those sharp things, weapons! (And contrary to popular opinion, he cannot shoot them through the air!) But if he can get his predator behind him, he has the ability to “back up” both rapidly and forcefully into his enemy! (I am told even a tiger is hesitant to harm the porcupine!)

Whereupon (on impact) those little quills stick into the dog (or whatever) and loosen themselves from the porcupine! (Don’t worry, the little fellow can grow them back relatively quickly!)

I said “little” quills! Some of them are up to 15 inches long! And they are (our amazing Creator at work) built with tiny “blades” all over them! Razor sharp to cut into an attacker’s face deeper and deeper. Can you imagine the pain as the predator tries to rub these (double-edged, triple-edged, multi-edged) spears away! Deeper and deeper they go!

Myriads of accounts tell of those quills setting up infection in the enemy coyote (etc.) and leading to its death!

But, as we all know, some ill-advised animals attack anyway! But few succeed!

Any creature seeking to kill a porcupine … such a scenario reminds me of a verse of Scripture. “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” Proverbs 22:3

Let the wise beware!

I thought too about us Christians who also have a double-edged, sharp Sword with which to lunge at the devil! Yes, the Word of God! (“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword.” Hebrews 4:12)

Yes, dear reader, God’s creation does exhibit His awesome Wisdom and Power and Glory!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Furthermore, porcupines can climb trees, but are mostly ground animals. They are even good swimmers, if need be! And they are rodents, living up to 7 years in the wild! They can weigh up to 35 pounds, lots of quill-space! They eat leaves, plants, fruit, and even the tender layer of tissue beneath the bark of trees.

Truly, creation points to the Creator!

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“And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind …” Genesis 1:25

Yes, God created even gorillas!

An adult male can reach a height of nearly 6 feet! And he is apt to weigh up to 450 pounds!

Their lifespans are surprising too. In captivity up to 60 years! And strength? Up to 10 times that of a healthy man!

They are rather peaceful animals, too. Almost shy, some experts say.

Their diet? Mostly vegetarian, from bananas to various types of “greens.”

And Mr. Gorilla is a family man, loving to live gregariously with his mate and “young.” She only reproduces every 2-3 years, on average. Some species, every 7-8 years!

Gorilla can walk on two legs, but most often progress on all “fours.”

Did I mention they love to live (of course) in the forests of Africa and Asia. Lots of tree surrounding them?

But of all the impressive facts we can learn, the gorilla is still not a brilliant animal.

If provoked, he might charge a fully armed hunter … with absolutely no thought of danger!

In that, in his mental capabilities, the gorilla is far “below” mankind.

Stronger?

Yes!

Wiser?

Hardly!

Not if the man has a Bible in his hand, and in his heart!

In God’s estimation, it is not physical strength that “counts” as much as spiritual prowess.

Like Proverbs 24:5 teaches us discerning humans … “A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.”

Oh, let’s ask God for more and more Wisdom to serve Him better. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5, something gorillas cannot do!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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I have always been amazed at the fact that God, when responding to Job’s multi-month (or longer) sufferings, never gave the godly old Patriarch an explanation!

God merely gave Job a verbal tour of His “Creation,” especially the animals! As if considering God’s Power and Glory as seen via His “works” might cause a lot of “life” to fall into place, to make sense!

(My favorite animal that God discussed with Job is the magnificent “horse,” more specifically the “war horse” it seems!)

According to Romans 1:20 … “the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead …”

Along that line, creation revealing certain aspects of the Creator … did you know?

The octopus can lose an arm … and then grow another one! (Humans do not have that capability!)

Some insects can sleep (hibernate) as long as 17 years, and then wake up right on “cue!”

The cheetah (cat) can run at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour! (And some birds fly even faster!)

For the next few lessons, I would like to present to you a few of God’s amazing creatures.

They will be a “testimony” to the Power of God, the Wisdom of God, and (of course) the creativity of God!

We will be obeying Job 12:7-8 in the process …

“But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.”

Wow!

Sounds exciting!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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