Some people become scared when they are up only as high as 18 feet off the ground, yet this is the height from which a large male giraffe views its surroundings. The giraffe is the world’s tallest animal. Its long neck is about six feet long, with a very tidy mane. Its pretty head has two short horns, standing straight up. Its large deer-like eyes, that reveal its normally gentle character, have long, black lashes. High in the air, its bulging eyes on the side of its head can see well for long distances, and in almost every direction at once without turning its head.
In Africa there are four species of the giraffe, each species having a distinct look, yet all pale fawn or cream colored with large rust or brown spots over their bodies. No two giraffes have exactly the same pattern.
The giraffe’s long neck has only seven vertebrae (the same as people), but these are large and strong, and their necks are quite flexible. This long neck can help shade the giraffe’s relatively small body from the strong sun in the hot African climate.
Giraffes can run up to 35 miles per hour for short distances. Because it has such good vision, a running giraffe is an immediate signal of danger to its companions, whether they are giraffes or not, and they all promptly begin running.
Giraffes have few enemies besides humans. Lions are their main animal predator. Leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyenas and crocodiles are other enemies. It takes a lot of lions to take down a large giraffe. A giraffe’s 12-inch hooves, at the base of six-foot legs with strong muscles, can kill a lion. Usually the only adult giraffes which lions will attack are the sick, isolated or injured. When fights occur between jealous males, the necks of giraffes, topped with tough, horned skulls, also make vicious weapons when slammed against an opponent.
Our opening verses talk about what we are to do to be safe from our enemy, the devil. Just as God has given the giraffe weapons to help protect it from its animal enemies, so He has given us what we need to protect us from Satan’s attacks. Imagine if a giraffe decided not to use its weapons one day and a lion came to attack it. Of course, that would never happen. But how often do we go out of our homes without thinking about the armor of God that we need to put on in order to be safe? Have you read your Bible and prayed today? That is how you will best be prepared to stand in the battle with Satan.
(to be continued)
Did You Know?
Giraffes can run up to 35 miles per hour for short distances.
Messages of God’s Love 5/19/2024