Sermon On The Necessity For Pollination

Albert Einstein the German-born theoretical physicist once reputedly quoted: “If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would have only four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man.” Genesis 1:25 reminds us: “And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.”

Although there is no explicit evidence to prove that Einstein uttered these infamous words, many people, including bee-keepers, have specifically attributed the remark to him. The necessity for pollination is vital to foraging crops and animals in our food chain. Pollination covers a vast subject as it is primarily known that through this process, plants are fertilized, which in turn produce the next generation of plants. Isaiah 61:11 reminds us: “For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.”

The list of creatures that can pollinate is long and includes such insects as bees, flies, wasps, beetles, butterflies and moths. The process of pollination is achieved by transferring pollen from a plant's anthers to a pollinator who then transposes it to another plant in the near vicinity where the released pollen adheres to the stigma. The fecundated plant later yields fruit and seeds.

It is generally believed that bees are beneficial to our planet. They help to create life and allow trees and plants to flourish. They are essential in contributing to certain aspects of food supplies, as well as the reproduction of plants. Genesis 1:12 confirms: “The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.”

However, there is disturbing evidence that suggests that several species of creatures that can pollinate have diminished from the overall effects of disease, parasites, pesticides, and loss of habitat. This is deemed to have detrimental effects on the abundance of food and beverages that some plants produce to provide the necessary nourishment that humans take for granted in their everyday lives. Song of Solomon 2:3-5 states: As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Sustain me with raisins; refresh me with apples, for I am sick with love.

Bees have been defined as "A stinging winged insect which collect nectar and pollen, produce wax and honey and live in large communities." They are closely related to wasps and ants and are primarily associated with the pollination of plants to allow fertilization. They have a lifespan of between thirty and sixty days. They are found on every continent except Antarctica which is the coldest and iciest region in the world.

An Apiculturist is defined as a person who keeps bees for their honey, usually in specially constructed hives. Bees are identified into three known groups. A hive consists of one queen bee, hundreds of drones and thousands of worker bees. Drones are male and do not have a sting, worker bees are female but do not breed. All Queen bees are female and are the reproducers of the species. Beehives may be kept on a commercial or an individual and private basis.

Honey, has been adored by many for years. It is a sweet and viscous yellowish-brown fluid made by bees and other insects from nectar that has been collected from flowers. It is considered a healthy food supplement.

It is often used as a sweetener in food preparations and is usually considered a much better option than sugar in beverages as it not only contains glucose and fructose, but is considered rich in other minerals and vitamins such as magnesium and potassium. However, Proverbs 25:27 warns: "It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory."

Bee stings are unfortunately a common factor in everyday life. If a bee feels threatened or agitated it will self-protect. Usually, their sting will generate no more than a sharp but relatively non-lasting pain or irritation. However, for those who are allergic to bee stings or if several stings are received from a swarm, then the consequences can be more serious.

Bee Mana which is more commonly known as Royal Jelly, is reputed to be a milky secretion substance that is largely produced by worker honeybees, primarily to nurture Queen Bees and their young. It mainly consists of water, proteins, sugar and fats. It usually commands high prices because of its so-called medicinal qualities which may possess anti-bacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, there is little scientific or medical evidence to verify that these facts are true. Royal Jelly is believed by many to possess magical qualities which has been inferred to include anti-ageing ingredients that are considered by some to actually reverse the bodily ageing process. It has also been claimed that it can increase fertility. Research has intimated that it has been used successfully as a treatment for the symptoms of menopause and may possibly help in the reduction of high blood pressure. However, care should be taken if it is taken with other medication provided for blood pressure as the result may cause extremely low blood pressure.