Three Blind Mice

Was there an underlying lesson I was to learn from the nursery rhyme, “Three Blind Mice?” Was there a significant message other than learning that mice scare farmers’ wives and get their tails cut off with butchers’ knives? I don’t know, but it did make me think of three men in the Bible who were “blind” to the temptations before them.

The first “blind mouse” was David. He was the most spiritual man alive. God, Himself, calls David “a man after My own heart.” Over one hundred of his songs are recorded in the Old Testament book of Psalms. We are told in 2 Samuel 11:1 that David sent his army out, but instead of going with them, he stayed home in Jerusalem. From his palace balcony he saw Bathsheba showering. Instead of looking away, he lusted after her and eventually committed adultery with her. David’s blind pursuit into sin led to tragic consequences for his family.

The second “blind mouse” was Solomon. He was the wisest man alive. He succeeded his father, David, as king of Israel. God gave him wisdom that exceeded any other man. He composed over a thousand songs and spoke over three thousand proverbs. He understood subjects from botany to zoology. 1 Kings 11:1-4 tells us, “King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women. He had seven hundred wives. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.” Solomon was blind to the impact his sin would have on his family. When his cocky young son succeeded him as king, the nation underwent a civil war and split into two separate nations.

The third “blind mouse” was Samson. He was the strongest man alive. His demise came at the hands of Delilah. She was offered money to discover the secret of Samson’s strength. He’d tell her one thing, which she would pass on to the enemies, only to find his strength hadn’t diminished at all. Each time she accused him of lying to her. Whether we’d classify him as stupid or love-struck, he didn’t seem to realize her betrayal. After days of nagging, he finally told her the truth, shave his head. While he slept, Delilah cut his locks. When the enemy sprang on him, his strength was gone. His captures really did blind him, gouging out his eyes.

Here’s a lesson for all of us. Your temptation may not be the same as that of these three men. It might be money or possessions or power. 1 Corinthians 10:12 warns each of us, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.” Every one of us is susceptible to temptation. It doesn’t matter how spiritual, wise, or strong we are. Each of us needs Jesus to deliver us from the temptations around us.

Jesus knows exactly what you face. Hebrews 4:15 states, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin.” Jesus is the only person who has ever lived who has not sinned. That’s why He was the perfect Substitute to pay the penalty for your sin and mine.                         revmar51@gmail.com