All who live where there are grasshoppers know about these insects. Even if you can’t see them you know they are there by the noise they make. Although it can be quite irritating it is one of the sounds of summer. Actually, the noise is not made with their mouth, but by rubbing their front wings with their hind legs!
Under a microscope a grasshopper is discovered to be a most unusual creature, with a horse-like head which has two long antennae extending forward. Its head, shoulders and other body parts are protected with tough armor. It has wings which fold smoothly along its back and large hind legs, which show where the power comes from for their long hops.
Locusts are similar to grasshoppers, but that name usually refers to those species that migrate in great swarms and are very destructive to crops — as told in Bible accounts such as in our opening verse. But grasshoppers of the western world are destructive enough, as farmers in the United States and Canada can tell you.
A female, after digging a hole in the ground with what is called an ovipositor, immediately fills the hole with foam and then lays a great quantity of sausage-like eggs in it. The foam soon hardens to protect them. Tiny nymphs, not much larger than a grain of sand, eventually hatch out. They immediately begin feeding on tender vegetation and grow so rapidly that they soon shed their skins (moult). This is repeated five times before they reach full size.
The hinged legs of a grasshopper are very flexible, allowing for great force when hopping and acting as cushions when it lands. When ready for flight with feet firmly on the ground, the hind legs lift into a driving position. Powerful muscles push it off into flight with speed and distance increased by using its wings once airborne.
The Creator has not only provided them with ability to leap away from enemies (ever try to catch one?), but also gives them excellent concealment among the green and brown vegetation that they eat.
Perhaps grasshoppers are given to us as a solemn lesson, speaking of that which is destructive, creating nothing good in themselves, but trying to spoil the truth of God’s goodness. There are many who fit this description around us today, and the Bible warns us about them: “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers...teaching things which they ought not.” Titus 1:10,1110For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. (Titus 1:10‑11).
How can we keep from being deceived? Those who do not know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour will most easily fall into the snares of such deceivers. But if you have put your trust in Him, a good answer is also provided: “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith...keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 20,2120But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 20‑21).
If you have not yet accepted Him and His promises, won’t you do this today?
ML-07/28/1985