Articles
DOES
GOD THINK INSECTS ARE GOOD?
By Karl Priest
November 6, 2008 (revised 5-8-21)
Regarding the
creation of insects, “God made the beast of the earth after
his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth
upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good (Genesis
1:25).
Let’s
take an in depth look at what is meant by “saw” and
“good” using a dictionary.
“Saw”
is the past tense of “see”. To “see” means
to perceive (become aware of in the mind) with the eye, but there
is a deeper meaning of “see” that, I think, applies
to this passage. “See” also means to apprehend which
means to understand or comprehend. From there the meaning becomes
even more significant.
When God “saw”
His creation he was able to know His creation through first hand
experience and to understand the true character of it.
From there
the meaning of “saw” gets more detailed as we consider
(with the limitations of the human mind) just what God meant when
He said, “It (His creations—including the insects) was
good”.
Almighty God
gazed (looked intently), comprehended the significance of, had a
real awareness of what He “saw”, paid close attention
to, examined closely, and understood the significance and importance
of what He had done, He considered His creation intently (firmly
fixed concentration), and focused upon it. God had a clear, sharply
defined (referring to the basic qualities) image. God was favorably
disposed (receptive to) His creation. He took the view in and considered
it advantageous, propitious (auspicious—attended by favorable
circumstances).
He held his
creation in his (metaphorical) hands, asserted (expressed positively
which is characterized by certainty or established beyond doubt),
retained (kept in His mind or the totality of His consciousness—His
intelligence), His mental powers concentrated on His creation, He
“saw” deliberately with cognition (careful, deep thought
and reasoning) and with knowledge. He thoughtfully (with contemplation—deep
thoughtfulness), observed (watched intently, even systematically
and scientifically), pondered (considered carefully) and concentrated
upon His creation. His creative act was well founded (based upon
sound judgment and reasoning—the capacity of rational and
logical thought). He had used good judgment and intelligence (thought
and reasoning). He understood (comprehended—knew thoroughly
with clarity and certainty) His creation.
God knew He
would possess (control), maintain (preserve) and sustain (keep in
existence) what He had created. He would keep His creation in His
mind and heart because it was absolute (perfect and complete) and
distinct (not like anything else). He knew He would make sure, take
care of, and attend to His creation.
There can be
no doubt that God completed His creation on Day Six and was totally
pleased with what he “saw”.
Note: Please
see my article “A Dragonfly’s Demise” for some
thoughts on why insects cause pain and destruction.
Strong’s
Concordance (Note: The number in parenthesis is the key to the Hebrew
word.)
SAW
(7200) ra'ah raw-aw'
a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous
applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative):--advise
self, appear, approve, behold, X certainly, consider, discern, (make
to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, X indeed, X joyfully,
lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out,
up, upon), mark, meet, X be near, perceive, present, provide, regard,
(have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another),
shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X surely, X think,
view, visions.
GOOD (2896) towb tobe
from 'towb' (2895); good (as an adjective) in the widest sense;
used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine,
the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good
man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women),
also as an adverb (well):--beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful,
at ease, X fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed,
-lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness,
liketh (best), loving, merry, X most, pleasant, + pleaseth, pleasure,
precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well ((-favoured)).
(2895) towb tobe a primitive root, to be (transitively, do or make)
good (or well) in the widest sense:--be (do) better, cheer, be (do,
seem) good, (make) goodly, X please, (be, do, go, play) well.
Sources:
(1) American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1975)
(2) http://www.sacrednamebible.com/kjvstrongs/
---------------------
From http://www.dictionary.com/browse/see:
see: to perceive with the eyes; look at...to perceive (things) mentally; understand
perceive:
to recognize, discern, understand
discern: to distinguish mentally; recognize as distinct
distinguish: to make prominent, conspicuous, or eminent
conspicuous: easily seen or noticed; readily visible or observable
---------------------
Wasps deserve to be just as highly valued…due to their roles as predators, pollinators, and more, according to a new review paper led by UCL and University of East Anglia researchers…The study, published in Biological Reviews, compiles evidence from over 500 academic papers to review how…wasps…can benefit the economy, human health, and society.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210430093209.htm
---------------------
There are multiple reasons why we should Thank God for Insects.
Also see:
Creation of the Insects
Insects in the Bible
Insects were on the Ark
Why Insects Exist
|
