Consider the Honeybee!

Read: 2 Chronicles 20:1-18

My brother-in-law has been a carpenter for many decades. That's why, when I need something cut, designed or repaired, I ask for his assistance. I'm thankful for the skill the Lord has given him and his willingness to share his time and talent. However, each of us has experienced situations where no one we know has the ability to step in and help. Even though, they would like to do so, some circumstances are too overwhelmingly complicated and have so many moving parts that they are simply too big. That's the kind of a situation Israel was facing in today's scripture reading from 2 Chronicles 20. No wonder their king was afraid; however, thankfully he knew what to do. He called for not more weapons but for the artillery of prayer.

Before we look more deeply into this story, it is important for us to remember something about the One to Whom Jehoshaphat prayed. There were many gods that nations worshiped at this time, but there was only, and there has always been only one Living God. The Creator. The King knew God's creative power, and thanks to on-going discoveries, we know of even more examples of His creativity than Israel knew back then. There are many creatures we could highlight out of His wondrous treasure trove of animals, but for now let’s consider the honeybee. Specifically, let’s be fascinated by the honeycomb and its hexagonal shape.

 From Creation Moments:

The amazing structure of the honeycomb has amazed scientists for thousands of years. As early as the third century AD, the astronomer Pappus of Alexandria offered an explanation for the six-sided or hexagonal shape of the honeycomb. He pointed out that while the triangle, square and hexagon could all be candidates for the shape of the comb, one of these shapes holds more than the others. The most efficient shape for storing the most honey while wasting the least space is the hexagon. There are many variations of the hexagon that are available to the bee. However, the honeybee is always very precise in constructing honeycomb hexagons, with an obtuse angle of 109 degrees 23´ and an acute angle of 70 degrees 23´. These angles produce the most usable space for the least amount of building material. Humans are unable to use such precision in their designs without sophisticated equipment.

The God of details! The God of precision! That's the One Whom Jehoshaphat and his people called out to in prayer, and that's the One to Whom we pray too. When we meet God's people in 2 Chronicles 20, we hear about their problem. In a nut shell, there were big armies coming to get them. They were outnumbered, and the King knew it. He called for a time of fasting and a prayer time together with his people. Including men and their wives and even their little ones. This was serious business. In the first part of the chapter, the king prayed to the Lord and reminded Him that Israel was in the land that He had promised Abraham His friend. God had made a covenant. There was more too. The nations who were out to destroy God's people were the same ones that the Lord hadn't permitted them to attack when they left Egypt. Speaking back to God about His covenant promise and how they had obeyed God only to find themselves in what seemed to be an impossible situation. It is telling to see the humility of the king's prayer.

He admitted that they were powerless against such a formidable enemy. No secret weapon that might work if God didn't come through. Not only that, they didn't have a plan B that just might work. So, let's sum it up. God's king and his people were powerless and have no way to bring about victory.

Let's step away from Israel for just a moment. Their helplessness mirrors our own. As well as each person who has ever lived. In Romans 5:6-10, Paul laid it out. We at one time, were each as powerless as Israel was. We were each enemies of God even when we didn't know it. We needed God's plan of victory which He provided through Jesus. We needed Almighty God's miraculous power to save us from something worse than armies with evil intent. We needed a Savior, Romans 5:8, and His arms are open to anyone who will run to Him, Romans 10:20-21;2 Peter 3:9.

Now back to God's people who stood waiting for God to hear and answer their prayer, and in verses 13-18 of the chapter we learn that His precision and attention to detail showed up in His plan to rescue the children of Israel. His care for them would be detailed and precise. Just right for their circumstances. I love that God knew that the armies who were coming against His people were vast. No sugar coating the problem. He knew something else too. Where they would be and exactly what Israel should do. Not fight this time; instead, they were to praise. That was the victory plan, and by following it, God's people saw the defeat of their enemies.

God's omnipotence and His omniscience are at work all around us. No wonder His attention to detail was flawless in His creation of the honeybee, in the plan He had to rescue Israel and in our own lives. His plan, even when we can't put it together cannot be thwarted, Proverbs 21:30-31. The next time that I taste honey, maybe I'll consider the honeybee and the precision God has placed within its body.

Maybe I'll remember that the details that sometimes confound me are not even the least challenging to Him.