Journey of the Word

We interrupt our regularly scheduled program to bring you a word about the hedgehog.

Yes, the hedgehog.

Well, you tell me how much you know about the thing.

I’ll bet you didn’t know the hedgehog is the size of a teacup.

Well, you probably knew that.

Did you know that the hedgehog’s “quills” are not really quills at all? They’re “spines,” and they function quite differently than the quills of a porcupine.

Ok, so you might have known that.

Did you know that the hedgehog grunts like a hog? That’s why it’s called a hedgehog . . .

Anyway, I’ll bet you didn’t know that the hedgehog does not have opposable thumbs. Which, for all practical purposes, means they don’t have thumbs at all.

So what?

So, the hedgehog’s fingers {or toes, rather} are made for walking and running, not grasping.

Which means they can’t pick up much of anything.

Which means they don’t attempt to gather anything.

Which means the hedgehog keeps absolutely nothing in its possession.

Hold that thought.

“I will rise up against them,” declares the Lord of hosts, “and will cut off from Babylon name and remnant, decendants and posterity,” declares the Lord. “And I will make it a possession of the hedgehog, and pools of water, and I will sweep it with the broom of destruction,” declares the Lord of hosts. Isaiah 14:22-23

God likens the destruction and destitution of Babylon to puddles. And to dirt. And to the possession of a hedgehog.

I think his point is, there will be nothing left. In so many words, it seems God was saying to Babylon, {stated matter-of-factly with a hint of sarcasm} “You know how a hedgehog can’t possibly own anything? Yeah, I’m gonna give you, O Great and Mighty Babylon, to a hedgehog.” {add expression of righteous indignation} “WHICH MEANS YOU’LL BE NOTHING!”

That’s my suggested interpretation.

But, really. I’m thinking God didn’t just randomly pick the hedgehog.

And all this time, I overlooked it.

When our default is to speed-read, oh, the things we miss.

[image credit: wikipedia.com]