“In His hand are the deep places of the earth. . . . The sea is His, and He made it: and His hands formed the dry land.”
Psalm 95:45
One of the unusual creatures in the sea is the angler fish. This fish lies at the bottom of warm seas. There are 16 known species, and most of them are less than a foot long. However, a few are as long as 5 feet.
All species of this fish have wide, frog-like mouths, which is the reason they are sometimes called frog fish. Their mouths are filled with long, sharp teeth and can stretch many times their normal size. This enables them to swallow fish almost as large as themselves. These fish are found in a wide variety of shapes, but most have flat heads with bodies tapering down to small tails. One kind partly buries itself in the sandy or muddy bottom of the ocean and looks like the brown rocks surrounding it. Others have leaf-like fins that look just like sea plants. In each case, the Creator has wonderfully camouflaged them to blend in with their surroundings.
The most outstanding feature of these sea residents is that they come equipped with an efficient fishing rod and bait. And they are experts at using them. The “rod” is actually a growth extending from its nose and may be as long as four times the length of the fish. The longest “rods” are usually hinged in the middle to make them more flexible.
A rod without suitable bait would not catch many fish, but these “rods” are already baited with an appealing bait right at the tip. Depending on the species, this bait may look like a worm, a little fish or a different kind of sea life that will attract a hungry fish.
The well-disguised angler fish unfolds its rod and uses the bait just like a human fisherman does to attract fish. While remaining nearly motionless, the angler wiggles its bait until a curious fish comes to inspect what looks like a good meal. The victim discovers too late that it has been trapped. The angler fish, with strong sucking, draws its victim into its mouth and swallows it. Sometimes the bait is swallowed as well, but this does not matter because it quickly grows a replacement.
This clever fish is another evidence of the wonders of God’s creation and the care He gives to all. It also reminds us of our enemy Satan who seeks “whom he may devour” and often tempts us with “bait” that is pleasing to the eye. How wise it is to turn away from him and listen to the loving Lord Jesus. His plan for us is one “of peace, and not of evil” (Jeremiah 29:11). Have you accepted His plan of peace?
ML-02/20/2000