King of Beasts

King of Beasts 

What is sweeter than honey?

And what is stronger than a lion?

Judges 14:18 

One of my favorite Bible stories is Daniel in the lion's den.  It has all the elements of a great tale: good guys, bad guys, a feisty hero, danger, fear, possible death, and fantastic deliverance.  I've always wondered whether the animals simply kept their distance, or if they regarded Daniel as one of their own, coming over to snuggle and keep him warm throughout his long night in the pit.  My imagination sees it clearly:  using the back of a male lion as a pillow, and hugging on to a neighbor cat for warmth.  How ever the animals reacted, Daniel came out of the pit unscathed, which is far more than you can say for the bad guys who were thrown in next.

Lions are one of four big cats of the genus Panthera - cousin to tigers, leopards and jaguars.  A large adult male can weigh upward of 550 pounds - which is a lot of warmth to spread around!!  Lions are considered a vulnerable species, having lost 30-50 percent of their population over the past two decades in Africa.  The male only survives about 10 years in the wild - double that time in captivity.  The male lion is the only cat to have a mane, which makes him look larger and is an excellent intimidation factor in maintaining his status in his pride.

The lion was the symbol of the tribe of Judah in ancient Israel.  In the wonderful Chronicles of Narnia, Jesus is portrayed as Aslan, a magnificent lion who is sacrificed at the Stone Table to save the life of the human, Edmund.   In the book of Revelation, we meet this lion again, as the messenger of God assures John that the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the One promised by Jacob, was able to open the sealed book of the future. And behold, there stood a Lamb that had been slain:  Jesus Christ, the world's Redeemer.     

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I will sing of my Redeemer and His wondrous love for me.

On the cruel cross He suffered from the curse to set me free.

Sing, O sing of my Redeemer,

With His blood He purchased me.

On the cross He sealed my pardon,

Paid the debt and made me free.

The Celebration Hymnal, No. 516