One can only imagine the fear and terror that would enter the ducks when they saw the head of the fox appearing up through the ground in the duck house. Perhaps they would have been unaware of the danger while the fox was digging underneath the fence and then on into the house itself. Eventually the battle was on. The helpless ducks were attacked and slaughtered. No mercy was shown. They were all dragged out of the duck house and away to their deaths.

We might wonder why God allowed such a thing to happen. Surely he could have intervened and saved the ducks.

Let us focus our thoughts on a far more traumatic scene. King Herod was on the prowl searching for baby Jesus to kill him: “ And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.” (Matthew 2:13 KJV).

Mary and Joseph were alerted and escaped to Egypt for safety.

Herod was furious when he discovered that he had been outwitted and commanded that all the boys two years old and under should be killed. This slaughter was far worse than the fox with a few ducks.

Matthew 2:18 gives some indication of the terror and trauma experienced at the time: “In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.” (Matthew 2:18 KJV)

“As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.” (Proverbs 2:15 KJV)

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Peter 5:8 KJV)

The devil tried again to devour Jesus in the wilderness by tempting Him with lots of temptations but Jesus put him to flight (See Matthew 4:1-11).

One day Jesus said, referring to the devil, “Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.” (John 14::30 KJV).

Jesus was a perfect man. He had no sins of his own. The devil had no hold on Him as he has on us. We are like sitting ducks for the devil just like the ducks were for the fox in our story. Helpless to defend ourselves.

Jesus was on a mission. He was on His way to Jerusalem knowing that He was going to suffer and be killed and be raised again the third day.

Peter tried to hinder Him but Jesus could see that the devil was at work again (See Matthew 16:21-23). The devil, still prowling around seeking the down fall of Jesus, entered into Judas (See Luke 22:3). Judas betrayed Jesus and led the band of soldiers to him. Jesus willingly yielded to the enemy because He was on a mission to die for our sins. He could have called for more than twelve legions of angles (72,000) to rescue Him, but how then could we be saved? (See Matthew 26:47-57).

More horror and terror as Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. The soldiers platted a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They mocked Him and struck Him with their hands. They led Him out to be crucified (See John 19:1-18). Among the crowd that gathered around the cross was Jesus mother (See John 19:25). As we think of the fox, tearing apart the ducks in the duck house, think of the feelings of Mary as she watched her son being so brutally treated by men stirred up by the devil.

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5 KJV).

We asked at the beginning of our story why God didn`t stop the fox from killing the ducks. No answer was suggested.

Why didn`t God step in and save His Son from death on the cross. We have the answer. God was right there in the middle of it all: “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV).

After Jesus rose again from the dead He had a talk with his disciples. He reminded them that His mission on earth was complete. He then gave instructions what they were to do (See Luke 24:44-48). It was a great victory over the devil and not a defeat as might have been thought at first.

Let us take time to think about the horror and trauma of the ducks, but let the incident point to the far more meaningful and planned sacrifice of Jesus who gave his life into the hands of the devouring lion, for our salvation. He can rescue us from the power of Satan, the devil, if we ask him to come into our heart. He is waiting. He is calling (See John 1:12 and Revelation 3:20).

Hallelujah, what a Saviour.

Donnie Black