Moses, how many legs does a grasshopper have?

There are many who will read something in the Bible and jump to a conclusion that the Bible is obviously in error (and, therefore, cannot be trusted.) Was this the case when Moses wrote in the Torah the following account about what can be eaten and what is ceremonially unclean?

"All flying insects that walk on all fours are to be regarded as unclean by you. There are, however, some flying insects that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground. Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket or grasshopper. But all other flying insects that have four legs you are to regard as unclean." Leviticus 11:20-23

Wait! How many legs does a grasshopper have or any insect for that matter?

Any of my Creation Club kids could tell you insects have six legs. Was Moses wrong when he mentioned these insects walk on all fours? Perhaps he didn't do well in biology class.

This morning I got a closeup look at a grasshopper and I learned that Moses was a better entomologist than many people think. Moses (through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) accurately described grasshoppers in this Leviticus passage. They do walk on "all fours", but they also, true of insects, have six legs. Moses went on to say that those insects that have "jointed legs for hopping" can be eaten. He includes the grasshopper in this group. When you look carefully at a grasshopper while it is walking, you will note that it only walks on the four front legs. The two back legs are jointed and are kept retracted up against the body until they are needed for a mighty leap.

So, I guess Moses and the Bible are correct about grasshoppers. I have found the Bible can be trusted. There are some mysteries in God's Word--things that seem to be contradictory or don't make sense. Usually upon closer examination, we find the Bible was correct all along. But, there will remain some things that are difficult to explain, at least with our current level of knowledge. That is why faith is so important. Without it, we cannot please God.

"The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." Psalm 119:130

--- Mr. T