Animals of the Bible
11. The Spider – Dwelling Safely
“The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is
in kings’ palaces”
(Proverbs 30:28)
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The final animal we look at is not one we tend to love. It is one of the “creeping things” which God made. Still, as the Lord made it, and as it is one of those creatures which are “little upon the earth, but...exceeding wise” (Prov.30:24) we should value the spider and learn what we can from it.
There are more than 30,000 species of spider. They are found everywhere and in every kind of habitat, including water. The smallest spider would fit on a pinhead and the largest would fill a dinner plate! Among the different spiders are trap-door spiders, which live in burrows, wolf spiders, which hunt at night, jumping spiders with their keen eyesight and the famous tarantula, which is sometimes kept as a pet! Most spiders are quite harmless to humans, an exception being the black widow spider that belongs to the Americas and the Far East.
The spider is often thought to be an insect. This is a mistake. The body of an insect is divided into three parts, the head, thorax and abdomen, and it has six legs. The spider’s body is divided into only two parts, the head and the abdomen, and it has eight legs. The spider is not an insect but what is known in science as an arachnid.
The name ‘spider’ reveals the extraordinary thing about this animal. It comes from an Old English word meaning “to spin” and refers to the making of webs. At the rear of the spider’s abdomen are structures called “spinnerets” which are supplied with a liquid silk made of protein that comes from special glands. The silk dries as it is pulled out of tiny tubes covering the spinnerets.
Different types of silk are spun for different purposes. It may be used to form safety lines for descending to the ground. It may be used to make ‘parachutes’ or ‘balloons’ to travel great distances on the wind. Although the silk is very slender it is stronger than steel of the same diameter! The main use however is in catching prey.
Spiders play an important role in the balance of wildlife. They feed mainly on insects. They usually kill their prey with poison that comes from glands that open at the top of a pair of fangs. Digestive juices are then pumped out onto the prey and the spider swallows the liquid. But how is the prey caught in the first place?
Early in the morning, when the dew or frost is heavy, you will have noticed spiders’ webs, hanging perhaps in bushes or long grass. A web is like a wheel in its construction. There are thicker threads making up a supporting ‘frame’ with ‘spokes’. Then there is a spiral sticky thread on the ‘wheel’ that provides the catching surface. The spider sits at the ‘hub’ of the wheel with its legs on the different spokes. When a fly is trapped the spider feels the vibrations and rushes to the prey, biting it or wrapping it up in silk.
Let us learn three lessons from the spider as Solomon saw her.
Firstly think of her place. Where is the spider living? She is “in kings’ palaces”. As we have seen, the spider is found almost everywhere. She is found in the tumbledown cottage with its dirt and grime. But she is also found in the splendid mansion and gorgeous palace where every effort is made to sweep and dust the rooms. That is where she caught Solomon’s eye!
Christians too are found throughout the world. They may dwell in poverty, like Lazarus the beggar (Luke 16:20), or they may enjoy plenty like Solomon (2Chron.9:22). Their experience may even be like that of Job, who went from riches to rags and back to riches again. By the grace of God they accept their lot here. Paul was able to say: “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Phil.4:11). Our prayer should be, “Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me” (Prov.30:8).
Then consider her position. What is the spider doing? She “taketh hold with her hands”. Solomon spoke of the spider’s “hands” rather than her legs because, as he could see, she uses her legs just like hands. She spins her thread and winds it with great skill like the weaver into an attractive and useful pattern. Like an acrobat she runs to and fro along the slender threads without falling. Whatever she is doing and wherever she is going she has a sure hold with her hands.
Have you taken hold of Christ with your hand? We mean the hand of faith. Trusting in him alone for righteousness a sinner will find pardon for his guilty soul. God will then beautify his life with salvation. An unbreakable ‘thread’ of covenant love and grace unites the believer to his Saviour and he serves the Lord with the promise that he will be kept “in all his ways” (Psa.91:11).
Finally think of her prospect. How is the spider faring? In the king’s palace she is hanging onto her strong thread and looking down at things below. She sees great men coming and going. She hears fine words and witnesses historic events. But she is not greatly moved by these things. You see she has taken hold of things above.
As Christians we are to live as citizens of heaven even while we are on the earth. Do you delight in righteousness and holiness, worship and fellowship? If we follow these things we shall dwell safely here and hereafter. The wonderful truth is that every believer, no matter what his circumstances now, will one day live in a glorious palace from which no-one shall be able to remove him. We shall enjoy the blessed presence of Christ the King of kings in heaven forever.
Dear friend, be truly wise, and lay hold on eternal life in Jesus!
