Gadfly

Horse flies, at certain times of the year, when I run at flatwoods are on the backside of the loop, around the 5 mile water station.  They annoy, attack, and bite, causing me to run faster, iradic jumping and lurching from side to side, swatting as I go, really messing up my routine, pace, and enjoyment of the run, often draining much energy in the struggle (but probably looks pretty humorous to onlookers)  I don't like it and it discourages me from running back there.  And since they are around the water stop, I often miss out on some rest, shade, and cool refreshing.

Jeremiah 46:20
"Egypt is a beautiful heifer, but a gadfly is coming against her from the north." 

Here’s a  “heifer that has never been under a yoke, having never been conquered, and brought under the power of another; and like a beautiful, fat, and well fed one, abounding in wealth and riches, in pleasures and delights, in wantonness and luxury…”  Then  comes along a small fly, annoying, upsetting, buzzing, biting, sucking blood hard to swat and won’t go away, a constant irritant… the gadfly

The heifer is a reference to Egyptian bull worship.   

Insects are often used to symbolize an attacking enemy.

Etymology:  "fly which bites cattle", from Old Norse gaddr (“spike”).

I tend to lean towards ignorance about a lot of things.  Apparently the people here did too and over time and compromise, tolerance and ignorance were prime beef for supper. Even tho I am somewhat disciplined in some things I still tend to be lazy, rebellious, maverick, a selfish consumer that wants to do it my way.  The verse seems to be reminding me to watch out. 

It is always good to get away from the gadfly and such a relief.  I don’t know what I would do if it was constant.  I do know that flies and locusts were one of the plagues.  That must have been horrible.   O Lord, help me never to be a gadfly toward others.

Info found online from: Wiktionary / wikipedia / meriam-webster / Biblestudytools.com