Exodus 11:20-22 - Hopped-up Dinner

God sent repeated plagues on Egypt to get Pharaoh to release the Israelites from being slave labor for his building projects. One plague was locusts. These grasshopper-like insects came and

"covered the whole country and darkened the land. They devoured every plant in the fields and all the fruit on the trees ...Not a single leaf was left on the trees and plants throughout the land of Egypt." (Exodus 10:15, New Living Translation, 2015. Cp. Proverbs 30:27)

The irony is that locusts were a kosher food for the Israelites. God told them:

20 "All winged insects that go on all fours are detestable to you. 21 Yet among the winged insects that go on all fours you may eat those that have jointed legs above their feet, with which to hop on the ground. 22 Of them you may eat: the locust of any kind, the bald locust of any kind, the cricket of any kind, and the grasshopper of any kind." (Leviticus 11:20–22, English Standard Version) 

Maybe it was one way to keep plagues of those critters in check! (Cp. Joel 1:4 & 2:25)

John, the cousin of Jesus was a prophet that lived a very austere life in the desert and announced the coming of Jesus as the Lamb of God. His diet was locust and wild honey. (Matthew 3:4) Perhaps the honey helped him swallow the locusts! But he was sustained on what was available.

Now consider this recent scientific study:

"Increasing population growth is estimated to reach at least 9 billion by 2050 will result in additional demand for food globally. Conventional animal protein sources including beef, pork, and chicken meat may be insufficient to meet this need, subsequently opening a door to alternative sources. Edible insects show great potential as an environmentally friendly choice for future food systems. There are several beneficial aspects of utilizing insects as a sustainable food source including their high nutritional content."  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780081007228000115

It's not being suggested that you get online and start ordering insect protein--though you would be surprised what's available. The point is that God sometimes provides for our needs through very unexpected resources, even things that would be considered a curse by other people.

Father, keep our minds open to the resources you make available, even when they seem ludicrous and unpalatable to what we're used to. Help us to see the gifts that are otherwise unnoticed. In Jesus' name, Amen.

PS: As a balancing perspective, SDSU recently announced:
Grasshoppers Are Causing Concerns in Close-to-Harvest Winter Wheat
https://extension.sdstate.edu/grasshoppers-are-causing-concerns-close-harvest-winter-wheat