Articles
Bugs They Bug Me! Part 2
This is our second article in the insect series. The Bible talks about bugs and insects and
uses them in several ways to teach lessons for us to learn. Today we will look at two ways in
which people are compared to insects in the Old Testament.
With the destructive nature of many insects, and the natural weapons many insects have,
it should come as no surprise that insects are often compared to armies. Locusts and bees in
particular are used to describe armies in the old testament. It is debated if the book of Joel is
talking about a literal plague of locust on the Israelites or an invading army. In Judges 6:1-6,
every year when the Israelites would plant their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other
eastern people would come in and destroy the crops while camping on the land and taking
everything —like locusts. The army of the Amorites were described as swarms of bees that
chased the Israelites (Deuteronomy 1:44). The Psalmist in (Psalm 118:8-12) talks about the
nations surrounding Israel, and that the nations surrounded them, and swarmed around them like
bees.
When we think about David we often think of a powerful king. Yet, before David became
king, on two occasions while speaking to king Saul, compares himself to a flea. And as a
shepherd he would have been very familiar with fleas (1 Samuel 24:14; 26:20). Saul had come
out to pursue David, but in both cases, David acts with respect and humility in his dealings with
God’s anointed, even though Saul is trying to kill him. "Against whom has the king of Israel
come out? Who are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?” (1 Sam 24:14).
When compared to God’s chosen king, the flea truly does seem insignificant. ~B Tolbert
