The Scorpion

The scorpion is very easily made angry, and then its sting is terrible; it very often causes death,but not always. In Revelation, 9:5, 6, we read, "And their torment was as the torment of ascorpion when he striketh a man; and in those days shall men seek death and shall not find it:and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them." This shows that the pain caused by theirsting is very great. When a person has been stung by a scorpion, the part around the woundswells and becomes very painful, the hands and feet become cold, the skin is pale, and there is afeeling as though there were needles in every part of it. This pain often increases and rages untilthe person dies in great suffering.

It is well for man that scorpions destroy each other as readily as they do animals of a differentkind. It is said that a hundred were once put together under a glass, where they immediatelybegan to attack and kill each other; so that in a few days only fourteen were left alive. I haveheard that if a circle of alcohol or spirit of any sort, is set on fire, and a scorpion placed within itso that he cannot get out on any side, he will sting himself so as to cause his death. I am notcertain that this is true, and it would be a very cruel thing to try it even upon so dangerous ananimal as the scorpion.

It seems that this creature was sometimes seen in the wilderness through which the children ofIsrael passed. When they had nearly reached the end of their journey, Moses reminded them topraise God for having kept them safely in so many dangers, while passing through "that greatand terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions and drought; where there wasno water."

Our Savior asks, "If a son shall ask of his father an egg, will he give him a scorpion?" Thescorpions in that country are about as large as an egg, and when rolled up look a little like one. Yet no father would be so wicked as to give one to his child instead of the egg which he neededfor food.

Christ once said to his disciples, when they were going out to preach and to heal the diseases ofthe people, "Behold I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and nothing shall byany means hurt you." This was a very wonderful power; and whoever should see one of thosedisciples tread on the terrible scorpion without being hurt, would know that Christ was surelywith him to take care of him.

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