Mobile Menu

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Books
    • Fiction
    • Nonfiction
  • Resources
    • Family Extras
    • Book Clubs
    • Studies
    • About Lana’s Research
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

Lana Christian

Go Beyond

Header Left

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Books
    • Fiction
    • Nonfiction
  • Resources
    • Family Extras
    • Book Clubs
    • Studies
    • About Lana’s Research
  • Contact

Header Right

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Books
    • Fiction
    • Nonfiction
  • Resources
    • Family Extras
    • Book Clubs
    • Studies
    • About Lana’s Research
  • Contact

How Camel Dung Points to God’s Provision

Home » Provision » How Camel Dung Points to God’s Provision
Photo by Trevor Cole on Unsplash

by:  Lana Christian · In: Assurance, Provision, World history · on:  Oct 26, 2020

Historical research can take me down unexpected paths. I had to learn many things about camels (and their dung) as I wrote about the Wise Men. But, trust me, this isn’t a blog with a high “ick” factor.

Where did my rabbit trail start? With a couple first-century how-do-you questions:
> How do you make a fire in the desert? There’s no wood.
> What do you do when your caravan gets sick in the middle of nowhere and you don’t have enough medicine to treat everyone?

The short answer to both those questions is camel dung.

Stay with me now. In my estimation, that serves to point us to the Creator.

No matter how lowly or insignificant something may seem, it has a purpose in God’s creation.

God’s Provision: Fuel

In God’s infinite wisdom, He provided fuel for fire in barren lands. Camel dung has such a low moisture content that it can be burned immediately for fuel. That’s not just ancient history trivia. Today camel dung is being used in cement factories in the Middle East. Adding one part dung to nine parts coal makes fires burn at a steady temperature. A steady fire with high heat is essential for cement ovens. Other countries are using dung from other animals as fuel sources, too.

God’s Provision: Cure

Camel dung is also an age-old cure for many diseases, especially intestinal disorders. But again, that’s not just a footnote from ancient history. During WWII, the Germans occupying northern Africa would have died from dysentery if they hadn’t followed what locals did in ingesting camel dung. The secret was its beneficial bacteria (Bacillus subtilis). The Germans also found a way to isolate the bacteria. (A side note: Germans thought driving their tanks over camel patties brought good luck, so the Allies made bombs that looked the same. But that’s a story for another time.)

A different example of counteracting illness and poisoning: In Bolivia, tin and silver mining create acid water. The metals in that toxic runoff kill algae and fish. But llama dung, which naturally contains sulfates, binds those metals and drops them to the bottom of treatment lagoons and wetlands, creating clean water. (Thank the Brits for that discovery; they used cow and horse manure.)

God’s Global Provision

The bigger picture is this: across the globe, cultures naturally have different sources for fuel, building materials, and food. How did God in His infinite wisdom choose those? Take starch for example. How did God decide to provide cassava for warmer climates and potatoes for colder climates? I have no idea. All I know is that it is praiseworthy because it showcases how God is our provider and sustainer.

Right now I believe we all could use extra reminders that God IS our provider and sustainer. If He can provide an unending supply of fuel in the desert, He can supply our needs today.

Never miss a blog!

A Deeper Dive: verses to meditate on

God is our provider
Genesis 22:14
Philippians 4:19
I John 4:9

God is our sustainer
Nehemiah 9:21
Job 33:4 ESV
Colossians 1:17 ESV
I especially like the Nehemiah verse. Which verse speaks to you the most?

 

Share
« Previous
Next »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tara

    October 27, 2020 at 1:20 pm

    Wow, that is so interesting! It amazes me how God makes provisions from things we would not consider provisions…

    Reply
    • Lana Christian

      October 30, 2020 at 6:55 pm

      Indeed!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

When the Wise Men Said, “What Next?”

Almost Persuaded

Pulling Back the Curtain on Jesus’ Childhood

What Do You Know About Your Roots?

Map or Compass?

God is 55 Miles Closer than You Know

Fortresses, Fears, Refuges, and Rocks

How to Prepare for Change—God’s Way

How You Can Be Sure God is in the Details

When Exhaustion Overwhelms You

How to Go “from Strength to Strength”

When Life’s Have-to’s Overwhelm You

Site Footer

Links
Contact Lana About Lana
Follow Lana on
Sign up to get Exclusive Offers and more.

© 2023 Lana Christian   ·   Website by Stormhill Media

Copyright © 2023 · Mai Lifestyle Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Sign up for latest blog posts

I’m humbled and grateful that you want to receive my blogs and pray they’ll encourage you! They’re meant to be shared, so please feel free to forward my posts to others. As a special thank you, when you sign up, you’ll get access to my free e-short, The Choice.

Also, I’ll send you advance notices about my books and other useful (but never intrusive) information. Just enter your email address to make it happen!