the spider & the web

What a skill to be able to spin the above pictured web. Nevertheless, it is the daily task of a little animal that scarcely has any brains! A spider’s web is, among other things, meant to be a ‘catch net’. Of certain kinds of spiders, the webs are so strong that they can even catch bats and birds. Among some people, these spider webs function even as fishnets. A web is spun to connect the above and below. Is that not a beautiful picture of Him ‘who joins together heaven and earth?” Indeed, in this case: a worldwide web. This typology speaks the more clearly when we also consider the following…

• Reproduction is for the male-spider often deadly dangerous. Frequently, the female-spider, after mating, will eat her partner. The creation of new life is bought with the price of death…
• A spider has eight legs – eight represents, in Biblical symbolism, a new begin (> “the eight day – “the day after the sabbath”, etc.). In this light, the following popular saying takes on a special weight: A spider in the afternoon, brings good luck on the third day…
• Spiders often have a rare ability to make themselves invisible (camouflage, see photos below). He is present, but you do not see him…
• Many people have an instinctive fear of spiders: spider phobia. The eight long, hairy legs inspire aversion…
• Some spiders have rather typical (!) ‘back-markings’. What do you think, for instance, of the well-known cross-spider? Or of the Happy Face Spider? (the Creator likes humor)…

The spider, too, shows forth the glory of Him of Whom we read: “…all is created through Him and for Him”, the son of God’s love (>Col.1:16,13)!

hidden spiders

cross spider

Happy Face Spider

Delen: