Romans 8:24-25 - Cuttlefish Dessert

Moses taught the Jews that they couldn't eat shellfish. Anything from the sea that lacked scales and fins was "detestable" and "abhorrent." (Leviticus 11:9-12). So if they ever had a squid or cuttlefish in their net, it was thrown back into the sea. Yet even an "unclean" animal can teach a lesson in grace (Cp. 1 Kings 17:6).

Recently,
"Scientists have found evidence that cuttlefish, a rounder relative of squid and octopuses, can pass the so-called marshmallow test, a study originally used to research delayed gratification in humans. In the original study, children were offered a choice between eating one marshmallow right away or waiting to get two. Cuttlefish prefer shrimp to marshmallows. But a new study...found that they were able to hold off eating food they didn’t like as much in order to get their favorite food." [1]

"[They] resisted temptation for up to 130 seconds to earn their favorite food, hinting at sophisticated cognitive abilities such as planning for the future."[2]

Some people think Christians are foolish to plan for the hope of heaven, let alone any existence after death. Their alternative would be to, "Eat, drink and be merry because tomorrow we die." (Isaiah 22:13 {Cp. 56:12}; Luke 12:19; 1 Corinthians 15:32) Party hardy!

But if cuttlefish exhibit "sophisticated cognitive abilities" by waiting 130 seconds for a food preference, isn't waiting a few years for heaven the smart thing to do?

"For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it." (Romans 8:24–25, New American Standard Bible, 1995)

Father, When we're tempted to throw away our confidence of heaven, give us endurance to delay gratification. We want to do Your will in the present to enjoy Your lasting glory in the future. (Hebrews 10:35-36) In Jesus' name, Amen.

[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/saratabin/2021/03/09/cuttlefish-can-pass-the-famed-marshmallow-test-study-finds/?sh=787157aa5424, citing https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2020.3161

[2] https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/cuttlefish-delay-gratification-a-sign-of-smarts-68516

Photo credit: Cuttlefish - Sepia officinalis {Hans Hillewaert, Wikimedia}