By: Obed Pineda
Orcas (better known as “killer whales”) are fascinating creatures that are usually found swimming in frigid, coastal waters. Although great white sharks are often considered as the most dangerous predator of the sea due to their vicious tenacity, in reality, marine biologists agree that the Orcas are the apex predators of the ocean. This is believed because it has been confirmed that even the great white shark has become their prey. The killer whales are often called “the wolves of the sea” because like wolves they hunt in pods; the equivalent of a wolf pack. Orca pods are extremely lethal hunters that can be composed of up to 40 members that have an extraordinary ability to seamlessly cooperate when hunting their prey. Their uncanny, similar hunting style to wolf packs is why the killer whale is placed at the very top of the food chain within the seas. Orca pods that roam the Antarctic waters will often hunt for seals and have an incredibly efficient method of securing their prey. When seals swim upon an ice floe seeking safety, the Orca pod will create large waves that washes the seal off the ice. Another known predatory tactic these sea hunters employ is that they will surround their prey and begin to chase it as a group, releasing bursts of bubbles, flashing their white underbellies, and creating loud sounds that will confuse the prey into a panicked frenzy that will ultimately exhaust its entire strength and make it an easy target for their predators. This hunting method used by the wolves of the sea aims to take away their target’s ability to focus and find an escape from their clutches. Due to the panic and anxiety provoked by the confusion engulfing the animal, the lack of remaining calm and looking past all the confusion is how it ends up getting killed. Thus, when one learns of this deadly strategy utilized by an Orca pod, it is curious to read the inspired warning issued by an apostle who was very familiar with the sea. Seeking to refortify the seeping strength of a church being brutally hunted by a cruel empire, the apostle Peter exhorted his beloved brethren, “humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1st Peter 5:6-8, emphasis added). The message being conveyed by the apostle Peter is that the Christian must not make the mistake of losing sight of the predator stalking us. Paul concurred with his fellow apostle, warning the Corinthians that they should be more vigilant in the restoration of a fallen brother, “lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devises” (2nd Corinthians 2:11, emphasis added). It is also valuable to remember that, as he provided his final instructions to the Ephesian elders at Miletus, the apostle to the Gentiles warned “that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves” (Acts 20:29-30, emphasis added). Observe that the connection made between both apostles is that Satan does not hunt alone; he hunts with his pack of false prophets and teachers. Like the pods of the killer whales, he and his false teachers create doctrinal confusion seeking to exhaust a man’s faith through doubt. The turmoil created by the Judaizers in Galatia made the brethren there “become estranged from Christ” and this led them to “have fallen from grace” (Galatians 5:4, emphasis added). Holy Writ often compares these promoters of error to savage wolves because of their lethal ability to hunt efficiently in pacts without mercy and their terrible talent to persuade men. A common trait shared by these wicked men is their insatiable selfishness. Thus, it is imperative that those who strive to remain holy in the sight of God, understand that this will be the very reason they are targeted by these impious men. For this reason, Holy Writ very often urges the diligent Christian to “watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” (1st Corinthians 16:13, emphasis added). Sacred Scripture has always revealed that the journey to eternal salvation will bring about many, many enemies. Adversaries who will have no other reason to despise a Christian other than because he poses a threat to their selfish gain. Indeed, this unfortunate truth is not new in the world. One example provided by the Bible is that of Nehemiah and Sanballat. When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls of the temple, Holy Scripture declares that “it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews” (Nehemiah 4:1, emphasis added). Biblical scholars believe that a possible reason for Sanballat’s strong opposition to the rebuilding of the temple’s burnt walls is because this would denigrate the importance of his people in regards to the economy. Because Jerusalem was no longer a prominent city, this meant that the road between Jerusalem and the Mediterranean Sea was controlled by the Samaritans; the nation where Sanballat was from. Thus, the restoration of Jerusalem posed a great threat to his political and economic influence in that region. This, undeniably, stirred Sanballat and his allies to seek to cease Nehemiah’s efforts in successfully rebuilding the walls of the temple. When their efforts to discourage the people from working through mockery, conspiracy, and intimidation failed, they determined to lure Nehemiah away through deception with the intention of murdering him (Nehemiah 6:1-14). They began by posing as allies wanting to have an amicable conversation since they were “concerned” about rumors claiming “that you and the Jews plan to rebel; therefore, according to these rumors, you are rebuilding the wall, that you may be their king” (Nehemiah 6:6). When this fear tactic failed, they make another attempt at luring Nehemiah away by hiring a prophet to warn him that his life was in peril, seeking for him to panic and flee to the safety of the temple (Nehemiah 6:10). Yet, this too failed because Nehemiah was able to see through the deception. It is wise to observe that Nehemiah did not allow their words to take away his focus. The secret to him being able to foil their plans was because Nehemiah’s devotion to God’s work. He was fully aware that he “was doing great work so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you” (Nehemiah 6:3, emphasis added)? In other words, he never lost the focus of why he was in Jerusalem. He did not allow the metaphorical bubbles, waves, or chaotic sounds being caused by his enemies to distract him from his holy mission. This marvelous example of remaining focused on his godly task provides the pattern of how we, too, can pierce through Satan’s curtain of deception and escape the clutches of his ungodly pod.