Dear Grandkids,
I have often asked myself the question, “Why in the world did God create mosquitos?” They are pesky little bloodsuckers that cause me lots of irritation and itching. But they are also responsible for about one million deaths worldwide each year as the vexatious culprit of malaria, dengue, zika and West Nile virus, and yellow fever. So it is a valid question. I am not sure I have a great answer to the question but there are a few things that I have recently learned that might help you the next time you try to kill one of these meddlesome varmints.
Mosquitos were a part of creation and way back in Genesis 1:31 the Bible says that “God saw everything that He had made and behold, it was very good.” In God’s perfect creation, the animals were given “every green plant for food” (verse 30). So mosquitos as well as all creatures were wholly vegetarian. There was no need for them to bite humans or animals for blood.
The need for mosquitoes to prey on humans resulted from the Fall and the curse that followed. The world changed drastically with the entrance of sin. Romans 6:23 tells us that the “wages of sin is death” and mosquitos have certainly been used by God to bring about this fatal consequence.
- Did you know the male mosquito never consumes blood. It is only some females that need blood to aid them in egg production?
- Did you know that female mosquitoes can lay up to 300 eggs at a time?
- Did you know that there are 3500 different species of mosquitos?
- Did you know that mosquitoes play an important part in various ecosystems? They are a valuable food source for fish and migratory birds. They also serve as pollinators for various plants.
- Did you know that a mosquito can drink up to three times its weight in blood?
- Did you know that mosquitos hibernate?
So here are my three takeaways as I rethink the question, “Why did God make mosquitos?”
- There were originally good but now are being used as instruments in the hands of God to deliver the consequences of sin to a world that has forsaken Him.
- The are important in helping to maintain many ecosystems and play a positive role in sustaining many species of plant and animals.
- They are yet another reason why we as believers should yearn for That Day when God will restore all things and make creation good again.
In all three cases we can declare that mosquitos are formidable agents that advance the glory of God.
But that doesn’t mean that I have to like them.
Never forget that you are very loved!
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