The Cupiennius salei spider is capable of scaling almost any surface. This ability of the Spider has fascinated both laymen and scientists alike. From an engineering perspective, the question has been asked, just how do spiders walk straight up, sideways, and even upside down across so many different types of surfaces? Imaging technology such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is helping to elucidate the biological reversible adhesion structures on the Spider legs. SEM images revealed the microstructure of the adhesive hairs covering the tip region of the hairs themselves are spatula-shaped microtrichia, which stick to the substrate during walking. This most recent peer reviewed paper [1] is the first to show these characteristic hair-like structures that form the adhesive feet of this spider species.
References
- Bastian Poerschke, Stanislav N. Gorb and Clemens F. Schaber, “Adhesion of Individual Attachment Setae of the Spider Cupiennius salei to Substrates With Different Roughness and Surface Energy,” 11 June 2021, Frontiers in Mechanical Engineering. DOI: 10.3389/fmech.2021.702297, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmech.2021.702297/full
The research paper mentioned the feet of this spider species had approximately 2,400 tiny hairs on its feet. The size of the hairs were measured using SEM to be 100th of a mm thick. The researchers removed some of these hairs and measured how well these hairs adhere to various surfaces. They fixed the hairs to force sensing cantilevers, their adhesion at different contact angles with a glass substrate was measured as well as their adhesive performance on substrates with different roughness and on smooth surfaces having different surface energies. Morphology studies of the hairs reveal different types of hairs which work together. Using SEM analysis, it was discovered previously unrecognized structural arrangements of hairs, which is believed to be the key component of the spider’s ability to cling to so many types of surfaces. Biologically inspired fabrication of these structures would be quite challenging especially to achieve the level of detail and arrangement of these hairs. These studies however provide insight into existing models for creating reversible adhesive materials which do not leave chemical residue. The synergies of the hairs working together to produce the desired outcome of Reversible adhesion for applications to a variety of surfaces is quite inspiring. This is a testimony to the creative ability of God found in His creation.
The Spiritual Insights that we receive from this type of research speaks to us about walking in the way of God as opposed to the way of the world. This reminds us of something King Solomon wrote according to Mishley / Proverbs 14:12.
ספר משלי פרק יד:יב
יֵ֤שׁ דֶּ֣רֶךְ יָ֭שָׁר לִפְנֵי־אִ֑ישׁ וְ֝אַחֲרִיתָ֗הּ דַּרְכֵי־מָֽוֶת׃
Mishley / Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
The phrase דֶּ֣רֶךְ יָ֭שָׁר means “the straight path” where the word דֶּ֥רֶךְ often refers to a physical road or path. Metaphorically, this word can refer to a journey, as in the course of one’s life. When considering the path that we take in life, this requires decision making. No matter who we are, we are all walking a path in life. Each person’s life is unique, this is why the Mishnah and Talmud state what they do saying, “Whoever destroys a soul, it is considered as if he destroyed an entire world. And whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world.” (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5, Yerushalmi Talmud Sanhedrin 37a) Let’s look at the Mishnah a little more closely:
מִשְׁנָה סַנְהֶדְרִין ד.ה
כֵּיצַד מְאַיְּמִין אֶת הָעֵדִים עַל עֵדֵי נְפָשׁוֹת, הָיוּ מַכְנִיסִין אוֹתָן וּמְאַיְּמִין עֲלֵיהֶן. שֶׁמָּא תֹאמְרוּ מֵאֹמֶד, וּמִשְּׁמוּעָה, עֵד מִפִּי עֵד וּמִפִּי אָדָם נֶאֱמָן שָׁמַעְנוּ, אוֹ שֶׁמָּא אִי אַתֶּם יוֹדְעִין שֶׁסּוֹפֵנוּ לִבְדֹּק אֶתְכֶם בִּדְרִישָׁה וּבַחֲקִירָה. הֱווּ יוֹדְעִין שֶׁלֹּא כְדִינֵי מָמוֹנוֹת דִּינֵי נְפָשׁוֹת. דִּינֵי מָמוֹנוֹת, אָדָם נוֹתֵן מָמוֹן וּמִתְכַּפֵּר לוֹ. דִּינֵי נְפָשׁוֹת, דָּמוֹ וְדַם זַרְעִיּוֹתָיו תְּלוּיִין בּוֹ עַד סוֹף הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁכֵּן מָצִינוּ בְקַיִן שֶׁהָרַג אֶת אָחִיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (בראשית ד) דְּמֵי אָחִיךָ צֹעֲקִים, אֵינוֹ אוֹמֵר דַּם אָחִיךָ אֶלָּא דְּמֵי אָחִיךָ, דָּמוֹ וְדַם זַרְעִיּוֹתָיו. דָּבָר אַחֵר, דְּמֵי אָחִיךָ, שֶׁהָיָה דָמוֹ מֻשְׁלָךְ עַל הָעֵצִים וְעַל הָאֲבָנִים. לְפִיכָךְ נִבְרָא אָדָם יְחִידִי, לְלַמֶּדְךָ, שֶׁכָּל הַמְאַבֵּד נֶפֶשׁ אַחַת מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, מַעֲלֶה עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב כְּאִלּוּ אִבֵּד עוֹלָם מָלֵא. וְכָל הַמְקַיֵּם נֶפֶשׁ אַחַת מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, מַעֲלֶה עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב כְּאִלּוּ קִיֵּם עוֹלָם מָלֵא. וּמִפְּנֵי שְׁלוֹם הַבְּרִיּוֹת, שֶׁלֹּא יֹאמַר אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ אַבָּא גָדוֹל מֵאָבִיךָ. וְשֶׁלֹּא יְהוּ מִינִין אוֹמְרִים, הַרְבֵּה רָשֻׁיּוֹת בַּשָּׁמָיִם. וּלְהַגִּיד גְּדֻלָּתוֹ שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, שֶׁאָדָם טוֹבֵעַ כַּמָּה מַטְבְּעוֹת בְּחוֹתָם אֶחָד וְכֻלָּן דּוֹמִין זֶה לָזֶה, וּמֶלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְּלָכִים הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא טָבַע כָּל אָדָם בְּחוֹתָמוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן וְאֵין אֶחָד מֵהֶן דּוֹמֶה לַחֲבֵרוֹ. לְפִיכָךְ כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד חַיָּב לוֹמַר, בִּשְׁבִילִי נִבְרָא הָעוֹלָם. וְשֶׁמָּא תֹאמְרוּ מַה לָּנוּ וְלַצָּרָה הַזֹּאת, וַהֲלֹא כְבָר נֶאֱמַר (ויקרא ה) וְהוּא עֵד אוֹ רָאָה אוֹ יָדָע אִם לוֹא יַגִּיד וְגוֹ’. וְשֶׁמָּא תֹאמְרוּ מַה לָּנוּ לָחוּב בְּדָמוֹ שֶׁל זֶה, וַהֲלֹא כְבָר נֶאֱמַר (משלי יא) וּבַאֲבֹד רְשָׁעִים רִנָּה:
Mishnah Sanhedrin 4.5
How does the court intimidate the witnesses in giving testimony for cases of capital law? They would bring the witnesses in and intimidate them by saying to them: Perhaps what you say in your testimony is based on conjecture, or perhaps it is based on a rumor, perhaps it is testimony based on hearsay, e.g., you heard a witness testify to this in a different court, or perhaps it is based on the statement of a trusted person. Perhaps you do not know that ultimately we examine you with inquiry and interrogation, and if you are lying, your lie will be discovered. The court tells them: You should know that cases of capital law are not like cases of monetary law. In cases of monetary law, a person who testifies falsely, causing money to be given to the wrong party, can give the money to the proper owner and his sin is atoned for. In cases of capital law, if one testified falsely, the blood of the accused and the blood of his offspring that he did not merit to produce are ascribed to the witness’s testimony until eternity. The proof for this is as we found with Cain, who killed his brother, as it is stated concerning him: “The voice of your brother’s blood [demei] cries out to Me from the ground” (Genesis 4:10). The verse does not state: Your brother’s blood [dam], in the singular, but rather: “Your brother’s blood [demei],” in the plural. This serves to teach that the loss of both his brother’s blood and the blood of his brother’s offspring are ascribed to Cain. The mishna notes: Alternatively, the phrase “your brother’s blood [demei],” written in the plural, teaches that that his blood was not gathered in one place but was splattered on the trees and on the stones. The court tells the witnesses: Therefore, Adam the first man was created alone, to teach you that with regard to anyone who destroys one soul from the Jewish people, i.e., kills one Jew, the verse ascribes him blame as if he destroyed an entire world, as Adam was one person, from whom the population of an entire world came forth. And conversely, anyone who sustains one soul from the Jewish people, the verse ascribes him credit as if he sustained an entire world. The mishna cites another reason Adam the first man was created alone: And this was done due to the importance of maintaining peace among people, so that one person will not say to another: My father, i.e., progenitor, is greater than your father. And it was also so that the heretics who believe in multiple gods will not say: There are many authorities in Heaven, and each created a different person. And this serves to tell of the greatness of the Holy One, Blessed be He, as when a person stamps several coins with one seal, they are all similar to each other. But the supreme King of kings, the Holy One, Blessed be He, stamped all people with the seal of Adam the first man, as all of them are his offspring, and not one of them is similar to another. Therefore, since all humanity descends from one person, each and every person is obligated to say: The world was created for me, as one person can be the source of all humanity, and recognize the significance of his actions. The court says to the witnesses: And perhaps you will say: Why would we want this trouble? Perhaps it would be better not to testify at all. But be aware, as is it not already stated: “And he being a witness, whether he has seen or known, if he does not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity” (Leviticus 5:1)? It is a transgression not to testify when one can do so. And perhaps you will say: Why would we want to be responsible for the blood of this person? But be aware, as is it not already stated: “When the wicked perish, there is song” (Proverbs 11:10)?
The way the Mishnah begins is with cases of capital law and asks how inquiry is made to elicit an honest response. A dialog is made to describe how a lie will be found out and in a court of law we have to discern the differences between the truth and a lie. This is tied to the decisions one makes which cause his or herself to be found in a legal situation. Everyone who is alive and conscious is either on the דֶּ֣רֶךְ יָ֭שָׁר or the דֶּ֣רֶךְ שקר, the straight path or the path of falsehood or lies. Everyday we live we are presented with choices about how and what we will do, these are the choices we make while we walk down that road. The idea is when we walk, we must choose which direction we go in and whether consciously or unconsciously we choose the best course of action that will bring us to our goal or to the end of our journey.
Looking again at the Hebrew text, יֵ֤שׁ דֶּ֣רֶךְ יָ֭שָׁר לִפְנֵי־אִ֑ישׁ וְ֝אַחֲרִיתָ֗הּ דַּרְכֵי־מָֽוֶת, the original Hebrew text states יֵ֤שׁ דֶּ֣רֶךְ יָ֭שָׁר לִפְנֵי־אִ֑ישׁ literally saying “there is a way (that is) straight / right before a man” and looking at the English translation the word “seems” was added by the translators. Note the second clause of the sentence וְ֝אַחֲרִיתָ֗הּ דַּרְכֵי־מָֽוֶת “but in the end is the way of death” suggests what the translators rightly added the word “seemed” as the path that is before a man may in actuality lead to death. Also, Solomon says לִפְנֵי־אִ֑ישׁ “before a man” which again speaks to us on the concept of choice and decision making as we had discussed previously. This reveals to us that there are ways that seem correct before one’s eyes however these ways are not necessarily correct. Using logic and reasoning it rightly follows that there are false ways that one can walk in. This is what the Scriptures continuously describe as “the ways of death.” This is the outcome of walking away from the Lord God Almighty, the God of life. What Solomon is telling us is that it is possible to think we are on the דֶּ֣רֶךְ יָ֭שָׁר “the correct path” but actually we are on the road to destruction and death. This Hebrew word יָ֭שָׁר can be understood as meaning “straight” or “upright.” From a spiritual aspect, when we restrict ourselves to only what is before us, what has been presented to us, without study and investigation, relying upon emotion, or feelings to influence the way in which we walk, this literally leads to destruction in terms of our spiritual state (note also walking a path of spiritual destruction will also have physical consequences). It is possible to fool ourselves into thinking that we are walking on the way of life, when in fact we are walking amongst dead man’s bones. Yeshua describes this as saying wide is the path to destruction. (Matthew 7:13-14) This is what the Scientific research on spider hairs is revealing to us. We note how the spider does not need to discern what surface it walks upon, nor its direction. It is perfectly fine walking upside down, and not being bothered by the law of gravity. This is what happens when choosing to walk in the way of the world, one disregards the Commands of God. This parallels our awareness to what is happening in relation to the path that we have set our feet upon, assuming the way of this world is the right path as opposed to the way of God. The difficulty is if we involve ourselves in worldly activities, or adopt the worldly ideologies (i.e. liberalism) or LGBTQ, etc, the dividing line between the truth and the lie become very blurry!
We note how these things are true, as there are billions of people in the world today who believe they are walking on the straight path but are actually walking the way of death. For example, pagans, new agers, muslims, buddhists, taoists, hindus, witches, and those who walk purley in the flesh as promoting, accepting, or standing alongside of LGBTQ idologies and lifestyles just as the liberals do. In these examples, we see the results of self-confidence of those who believe they are walking in the light when they are in fact walking in darkness. If we think about this, each of us believes we are essentially “Correct” in regards to our thoughts, feelings, and the decisions we make. These are the self narratives that we create in our minds, a sort of propaganda in which we create our own reality of the inward condition that exists in each one of us. These things create a sense of pride that justifies our continued self-willed path in this world which keeps us on that path. These things make people a servant to their own passions and desires.
Note something the Lord said through the Prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah 28:16–17
28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed. 28:17 “I will make justice the measuring line And righteousness the level; Then hail will sweep away the refuge of lies And the waters will overflow the secret place. (NASB, לָכֵ֗ן כֹּ֤ה אָמַר֙ אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהוִ֔ה הִנְנִ֛י יִסַּ֥ד בְּצִיּ֖וֹן אָ֑בֶן אֶ֣בֶן בֹּ֜חַן פִּנַּ֤ת יִקְרַת֙ מוּסָ֣ד מוּסָּ֔ד הַֽמַּאֲמִ֖ין לֹ֥א יָחִֽישׁ׃ וְשַׂמְתִּ֤י מִשְׁפָּט֙ לְקָ֔ו וּצְדָקָ֖ה לְמִשְׁקָ֑לֶת וְיָעָ֤ה בָרָד֙ מַחְסֵ֣ה כָזָ֔ב וְסֵ֥תֶר מַ֖יִם יִשְׁטֹֽפוּ׃)
This is a messianic verse from the sense of the Messiah being the cornerstone of our faith, “chosen by God and precious to him” (1 Peter 2:4). The Cornerstone is also reliable, and “the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame” (1 Peter 2:6) In verse 17, we read וּצְדָקָ֖ה לְמִשְׁקָ֑לֶת meaning “and righteousness for a mason’s level.” The idea of a mason’s level is analogous to righteousness as a measuring rod, to something straight, just as we understand the words דֶּ֣רֶךְ יָ֭שָׁר “the way of uprightness.” When one is upright, one is righteous, and we are told God will judge according to that standard. The point is, we need a way to align our lives to the correct path, of righteousness and truth. We need a standard by which we can live our lives and make the right choices such that we do not fall under the judgment of God. Note that even believing in the Messiah Yeshua, if we do not repent, we will still fall under the judgment of God according to the Torah command. Repentance and seeking God’s help to walk in His ways, turning from sin in the name of Yeshua is what qualifies the sacrifice of the Messiah for the forgiveness of sins! (see 1 John 1:7) When we live our lives according to the word of God, believing in the Messiah Yeshua who bore our sins taking the punishment for sin, the deceptions that we have allowed ourselves to believe, the Lord God Almighty by the presence of His Spirit will convict us of sin. The Spirit of God will cause us to turn away (Teshuvah, Repent) from the hidden and secret sins that we have allowed to continue in our lives. The presence of God in our lives will cause us to face these things, the lies, the sins that have been ignored for so long. This is a matter of life or death. The only remedy is one of Teshuvah (Repentance), a complete turning around from the crooked path we travel. The Torah is the way in which God reveals Himself, His nature, His character, and defines how He lives. The Lord God Almighty first revealed Himself to Israel as Redeemer and Savior. He freed His people from Slavery, and this is what He does for us setting us free from the way of destruction the very thing King Solomon was warning us of. The God of Israel loves His people and gives us Redemption, mercy, and grace. As entering into a covenant relationship with the Lord, into the family of God, we are expected to live in obedience to God’s word. Living our lives according to God’s word causes us to reflect His nature. We are also told our Father in heaven has further revealed Himself in the Messiah Yeshua. We are to talk in His footsteps (1 John 2:6, John 8:12), and Yeshua’s life measured up to that of the Torah! These are the things the scientific research on spider hairs draws out for us according to the Scriptures. As Solomon wrote, יֵ֤שׁ דֶּ֣רֶךְ יָ֭שָׁר לִפְנֵי־אִ֑ישׁ וְ֝אַחֲרִיתָ֗הּ דַּרְכֵי־מָֽוֶת, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death,” this is a warning on rejecting the way of life, peace, and truth. How can we reject such an awesome God who loved us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us!
In His Earthly Ministry, Yeshua taught that one must be spiritually reborn in order to see the Kingdom of God while speaking to Nicodemous according to John 3:3. This is the principle of the newness of life (chayim chadashim, חַיִּים חֲדָשִׁים) which comes from the presence of God in one’s life. The love of God is everlasting, just as Jeremiah said in 31:3 The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. (NIV) Note how we read in the Scriptures God had made this promise to us, this is why and how the Scriptures function as a mason’s level, a measuring rod for our lives. We note the Hebrew text which states, מֵרָח֕וֹק יְהוָ֖ה נִרְאָ֣ה לִ֑י וְאַהֲבַ֤ת עוֹלָם֙ אֲהַבְתִּ֔יךְ עַל־כֵּ֖ן מְשַׁכְתִּ֥יךְ חָֽסֶד׃ and the word מְשַׁכְתִּ֥יךְ from the root word משך meaning “to seize” or “drag away,” the Septuagint translates this using the verb helko (ἕλκω) to express the same idea. According to John 6:44, Yeshua said no man can come to me unless he is “dragged away” (ἑλκύσῃ) by the Father. So this is the idea of how God works in our lives, he seizes us, our hearts and our minds, and takes us captive leading us to His Messiah, and to His holy and righteous ways. This is what happens in the spiritual rebirth as the presence of God comes to dwell in our midst. Those who see the God of Israel and the Messiah Yeshua understand these truths! Because of our faith in God and in His Messiah Yeshua, we receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken! There is a way that seems right unto a man, but all ways are not always right before God! This is why we are warned so often to not reject the way of God and His truth, His life, and His peace! The presence of God through faith in the Messiah sets us free from the lie!
