Salmonella from turtles

 

As a child in school I always looked forward to the time we called "show and tell."  It was a time when students would either tell a story that they thought was interesting or bring something of theirs to the class.  Students would generally bring a new toy, baseball card collection, or something similar.  Occasionally a student would bring a pet, this was always fun because we would get to play with the pet for a little bit.  I remember one time when a student brought his pet turtle.  I thought this was really neat and I could not wait until it was my turn to hold him.  However, I also remember my teacher being very stressed about this particular reptile.  She would watch each student hold the turtle then watch each student wash their hand very good afterward.  I always wondered why she did this; she did not act in such a way when other pets were brought it.  Recently, I learned that reptiles carry Salmonella (a disease that can be deadly).  Those who handle reptiles need to be very careful to wash their hands after touching them to kill the bacteria.  Not only that but these reptiles can leave salmonella on places that they touch. I am thankful that my teacher knew this and acted so cautiously when the turtle was brought to class. 
 
Several months ago when I was doing my daily Bible reading I came across a passage I thought to be very interesting.  This passage is found in the section of the Bible we know is classified as Law.  Moses was giving the law to the children of Israel and he stated, "These also shall be unclean to you among the creeping things that creep on the earth: the mole, the mouse, and the large lizard after its kind; the gecko, the monitor lizard, the sand reptile, the sand lizard, and the chameleon. These are unclean to you among all that creep" (Leviticus 11:29-31).  Moses went on to discuss that if they touched one of these animals they would be unclean.  The surface that these animals touched would be unclean.  This passage once again shows the knowledge of God and His concern for His people.  At this time they did not know the reptiles carried salmonella, but God did.  God knew of its dangers and he protected the children of Israel from incurring this disease. This passage is probably one that is skimmed over in our Bible reading.  However, this passage teaches the great love of God for His people.  It also teaches us that the God we serve is omniscient. 

--Garrett Bookout