There are many strange things in the oceans. One of the most unusual is the puffer fish, of which there are some 100 species. It is given a variety of other names such as swellfish, sea porcupine, globefish, tiger puffer, etc. They are found in all the oceans, including several along the eastern and western shores of the United States.
Puffers are not pretty fish, except for a few of them such as the swellfish which is bright green above, and yellow on its sides and white underneath. The protruding eyes of most are unusual, sparkling green or blue and apparently able to see in just about every direction at once. But otherwise, these fish are not at all attractive, having bulging eyes, fat stomachs, rubbery fins and puckered mouths. Their skin is smooth and without scales.
The reason the title of this article says, "Beware the Puffer!" is because they are one of the most deadly fish in the seas—able to raise sharp spikes all over their bodies, able to bite with strong teeth, and, most importantly, able to kill with its deadly poison, which will be discussed in next week's issue.
Puffers, lacking a skeleton or ribs, can't swim like other fish because their tails and fins are not able to propel them very well. 'Instead, they often just drift in the ocean with their fins not doing much good and their tails merely acting as rudders. Because of this, they do not like deep waters, but stay near shores where they find their food—clams, oysters, marine worms and even crabs and shrimp. The amazingly strong jaws and hard, sharp teeth the Creator has given them, easily crunch the toughest shellfish to get at the inner parts.
The name puffer describes them very well when they defend themselves. At the threat of danger, great amounts of water or air are gulped into their stomachs. Their tough, elastic skin stretches with each gulp until they are as round as a ball and two or three times their normal size. At such times, on most of them sharp spikes rise straight out of their bodies, and it is a rare thing for even a shark to tackle one. When the threat is over they return to normal size.
Do you think the Lord God, who created them, gives any thought to such strange fish? The Bible assures us that He does, telling us, "The Lord is good to all; and His tender mercies are over all His works." Psa. 145:99The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. (Psalm 145:9). We may not understand why such unusual creatures were included in His creation, but we can be sure He had a purpose in creating them and now watches over them as He watches over each of us.
When we think of this we should remember another scripture, "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." Prov. 15:33The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. (Proverbs 15:3).
Beware the Puffer
"Thou, even Thou, art Lord alone; Thou hast made... the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein." Neh. 9:66Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee. (Nehemiah 9:6).
On the preceding page it was mentioned that puffer fish are loaded with deadly poison. Let's consider this and its special hazard to those who eat it. One known as the tiger puffer, found along the shores of Japan, provides a good illustration.
In spite of its deadly threat, many people consider a puffer' dinner an outstanding treat. This is particularly true of some natives of Japan, where restaurants specializing in "fugu" (as they call it) make very elaborate dinners. High prices are charged, because the preparation can be done only by specially trained chefs who know how to remove the poison. They are also extremely clever in arranging paper-thin slices of the fish on platters so that they look like a sculptured bird, a tree, a flower, or many other designs.
Yet, when the Japanese order these meals, they are aware of the real danger, for no matter how careful the chef may be, it would take only the smallest speck of poison in one's stomach to bring a rapid and horrifying death, or at the least a terribly painful experience. Why then do they do this at such great expense and danger? Whatever the answer, great amounts of puffer are eaten even though deaths sometimes do result.
Without in any way criticizing our Japanese friends who have their own reasons for this practice, the danger involved reminds us of Satan's ways in tempting every boy and girl, as well as every grownup, with things in our lives—the things of this world—that are not for our good, but which he makes look appealing. His purpose is to turn us from the goodness and love of God and feed us his "poison," represented by the world and its attractions. The Apostle John, guided by the Holy Spirit, wrote, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." 1 John 2:15,1615Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1 John 2:15‑16).
How important it is for us to pay attention to these warnings! The Bible also tells us something better, "The fear [reverence] of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold.... Moreover by them is Thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward." Psa. 19:9-119The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. (Psalm 19:9‑11). The Lord is able to guide and protect each one of us and keep us from Satan's poison.