In this verse, Satan is described as a lion prowling through the earth. A similar example could be a vicious shark in the ocean. About three hundred fifty varieties of sharks are found throughout the world. The smallest is the ten-inch dwarf; the largest is the forty-foot whale shark, weighing fifteen tons or more. In spite of their frightening looks, most sharks are harmless, living on fish, squid and shellfish. Two huge species, the basking shark and the whale shark, have such small teeth that they can only eat tiny drifting sea life and small fish.
The hammerhead is the most unusual-looking shark with its head extending out two feet or more on each side of the body. A large eye is on each end, and its mouth is underneath on the body. The ugliest shark is the horn or pig shark, with its jaws and teeth at the front of its pig-like snout.
The blue shark is actually a beautiful creature, with its dark bluish tint on top and light blue underneath. Its huge eyes and a small mouth give it a smiling appearance, and it shows only curiosity towards swimmers. Thresher sharks, which often work in pairs, beat the water with their tails. This causes small fish to group together, and then the threshers move in for the kill.
The most dangerous of all sharks is the great white shark with its huge jaws and dagger-like teeth. This one will sometimes attack swimmers. The injuries from their bites are severe, often resulting in death. The tiger shark is also vicious and sometimes will attack people. It is fifteen to thirty feet long, with rows of long, sharp teeth.
In spite of the shark’s bad reputation, God has a place for them in His creation. As scavengers, they help keep the ocean clean. They are useful to man directly in that valuable medicines and vitamins are extracted from various parts of their bodies, and shark meat is an excellent food.
Although some sharks are harmless, few of us would trust these unpredictable creatures. People can also be just as unpredictable. How careful we should be in any relationship with people who are not God-fearing, for many of them are used by Satan to lead others to do evil deeds. The Bible gives good advice: “Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established” (Proverbs 4:2626Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. (Proverbs 4:26)). “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:88It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. (Psalm 118:8)). “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:56). This is excellent advice to follow.
ML-06/23/2002