"They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep." Psa. 107:23-24
Besides the eels that can be eaten, which we looked at last week, there are many other kinds, some of which are large and vicious. Let's consider three of these marine eels.
Conger eels and moray eels do not migrate. Both are found in warm waters off the coasts of California, Mexico and parts of Europe. Even though some are as long as eight feet, they live their entire lives in crevices of rocks or coral deep in the ocean. They hide there until a victim comes within reach of their jaws, which have strong, sharp teeth. These creatures will attack almost anything that is small enough for them to eat. Underwater divers are often startled by suddenly coming across one of these eels, but they do not bother humans unless irritated.
In spring, the three-foot-long lamprey eels travel from salt water to fresh water to lay their eggs. A pair swim many miles up mountain streams until shallow water is reached. The male leaves the female and explores the stream bottom. When he finds a suitable spot, he removes stones from the bottom with his sucking mouth and takes them to the shoreline. Soon he has exposed a smooth, sandy bottom where the female lays her eggs and the male fertilizes them. Then they both swim upstream, busily picking up and moving stones around, deliberately stirring up the sand which drifts downstream and covers the eggs.
After hatching, the young eels remain in the stream for four or five years, then swim out to the ocean or a large lake. In their new surroundings, each one seeks out a victim—usually a large fish.
The young eel does not have jaws but has a large sucker mouth, armed with sharp teeth and a rough, cutting tongue. Attaching to the fish's side with its suction mouth, it uses its sharp teeth and rough tongue to make a wound deep enough for blood to flow. It will remain attached to the fish, sometimes for days, sucking out the blood until the fish dies. Then it finds another victim.
These repulsive creatures remind us of Satan. The Bible warns us to beware, lest "through his subtlety ...your minds should be corrupted" (2 Cor. 11:3). It is our sins that make us an easy victim of that evil one, but a gracious God warns us to "flee from the wrath to come "(Matt. 3:7) and turn to the Savior who "is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him" (Heb. 7:25).
Do you realize that you are a sinner under Satan's power, and have you accepted the loving invitation to find a shelter in the Savior?