Living in the hot, dry regions of southern Africa, gemsboks are considered by many to be the prettiest members of the oryx family. They are about the size of a donkey and are related to antelopes. They have a velvety-gray body, black and white face, complemented by black and white legs and a long, bushy tail. Between their large black and white ears is a pair of nearly straight, sharply pointed horns. These grow to four feet long and slant slightly backward. They provide a weapon that any animal would be foolish to challenge. Gemsboks have been known to kill lions with these sharp horns.
Because of their heavy bodies, gemsboks are not particularly fast runners. They are an example of the Creator’s wisdom when He placed them in hot, dry areas, for they can go a long time without water. They live in bands of up to twenty animals and roam the dry, grassy plains and areas of low vegetation.
Although related to the gemsbok and living in the same area, the springbok is a sharp contrast. It is slender and graceful and a little shorter than its relative, but without the long, bushy tail. Its golden-brown hair has a snow-white stripe down the back, as well as a white face, with white on the underside and the inside of its legs.
While groups of gemsboks are relatively small, the springboks are found in big groups by themselves, migrating in great numbers to the oceanside when it gets too hot and dry. At times the whole herd runs swiftly over the open plains for no apparent reason. Because they repeatedly spring from eight to ten feet into the air when frightened and then race off at high speed, they are sometimes called springers.
There are many varieties of horns among them. Some grow higher than others before slanting backward, while others look more like prongs, just rising a short way and then curling forward.
We can often see in the variety of things the Lord God created, as well as in the Bible accounts, that the Creator took much pleasure in variety. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:1111Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11)). More importantly, we learn also the promise to all who know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, that when called into heaven we will find “in [His] presence is fullness of joy; at [His] right hand there are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:1111Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm 16:11)).
Will you be among that happy number in heaven?
ML-09/16/2007