Worship a Worm?
"But I am a worm and not a man. I am scorned and despised by all." Psalm 22:6
In this passage, Jesus is calling himself a "tola'ath" worm. This is different than any other passage in the Bible that refers to a worm. All others use the word "rimmah" - meaning maggot. But the kind of worm Jesus call Himself, over 1,000 years before heading to the cross is the name for the scarlet or crimson worm.
This crimson or scarlet worm was found in ancient Israel. When it was ready to bring forth the life of its young it attached itself to a piece of wood, usually a tree, but sometimes a stick or fence post. Nothing could cause this attachment to the wood to be severed - it was a strong, unmovable attachment. Once the bond was secure, the worm created a protective, scarlet shell to protect her babies prior to them hatching.
It is now time for the babies to emerge. As they come forth they eat on their mother who has provided herself as a living sacrifice for them. Her body provides all they need to feed and be nourished.
Once they are able to survive independently of their mother, she it finally to the point of death. She transitions from life to death so that her young might live. In the process of giving her life, she pours forth a red dye - resembling blood. Not only does it stain the wood she has fixated to, but it also covers over her children. All is not lost. The children are stained by the crimson dye for the rest of their lives, and the tree is left stained as a reminder of her sacrifice.
Three days after the babies have left and the mother has died, the red-stained spot on the tree changes. It goes from vibrant red to a waxy white.
Three days later, the wax begins to slough off in little pieces that fall to the ground, resembling snow.
Some other interesting facts: The crushed worm was used to make medicine making the heart beat beat smoothly.
The white wax body was used to make shellac which preserved wool.
"We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6
For further reading on this topic link to:
The Story of the Crimson Worm
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