IT WAS noon of a cold and foggy day. At two o'clock a large ocean liner like the one in our picture was to leave the dock and steam out of the bay, headed for Japan, Mr. Togasaki was to sail on that boat, so we hurried on board to bid him farewell,
This dear man longed to tell the boys and girls, and men and women in Japan the wonderful story of the love of God in sending the Lord Jesus into the world to save sinners, and at last the day had come for him to start on his journey.
We found many others who had also come to say goodbye to this dear servant of the Lord. We looked about at the neat stateroom he was to share with another missionary for the duration of the voyage, and then we took a few snapshots.
Suddenly we heard some loud roars coming from the other end of the boat, We hurried down and found four hungry lions behind strong iron bars, and also a kind-looking camel in a large stall. The camel had more freedom than the lions, and was not held in by iron bars. These animals were being sent to a zoo in Japan.
Two young friends, Tim and Roy, were offering the camel handfuls of alfalfa to eat, and he seemed to be enjoying it. They didn't go near the lions though, as there were large signs above each cage with the words, "Danger—Keep away" printed on. We watched the attendant feed the lions large pieces of meat held on long hooks.
But if we look in Leviticus 11:4,4Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. (Leviticus 11:4) we find that the kind-looking camel is on God's list of unclean animals because he has no cloven foot, and of course the lion would also be unclean as he neither chewed the cud or had a divided hoof. This would make us think of the verse,
Perhaps you are a kind boy or girl, and always glad to help others, as the camel would, You are not like the lions, and do not have to be kept behind prison bars for any fierce crimes, but if you have not had your sins washed away in the precious blood of Christ, you are unclean in God's sight. All your good deeds and loving ways are of no value before God—in fact, He says they are like filthy rags, (Isaiah 64:66But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6)). You see, dear boys and girls, God looks at the heart,
"For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." I Sam, 16:7.
If you would like to have a clean heart, go to the Lord Jesus as a poor, lost sinner—not able to do anything for yourself—and He will save you today.
Messages of the Love of God 10/19/1952