Organic Synthesis

“What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols! Woe to him who says to a wooden thing, Awake; to a silent stone, Arise! Can this teach? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in it. But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.” (Habakkuk 2:18-20 ESV). First, I need to write a disclaimer. I am using an illustration that takes me well beyond my experience or expertise. The science of Organic Synthesis is my oldest son’s area of expertise. In addition, it may sound as if I am negative toward the science and its uses. That is NOT the case. Without the countless hours of research and development spent by these dedicated scientists we would not have many of the wonderful drugs and conveniences of our day. Wisdom is given by God to benefit mankind. Folks like Kyle work diligently each day to improve our health and well being through chemistry. However, there are some interesting applications that bring me to the point of our reading this morning. Did you know that many of our favorite foods are “flavored” with chemicals? A typical artificial strawberry flavor contains the following ingredients: amyl acetate, amyl butyrate, amyl valerate, anethol, anisyl formate, benzyl acetate, benzyl isobutyrate, butyric acid, cinnamyl isobutyrate, cinnamyl valerate, cognac essential oil, diacetyl, dipropyl ketone, ethyl acetate, ethyl amyl ketone, ethyl butyrate, ethyl cinnamate, ethyl heptanoate, ethyl heptylate, ethyl lactate, ethyl methylphenylglycidate, ethyl nitrate, ethyl propionate, ethyl valerate, heliotropin, hydroxyphenyl-2-butanone (10 percent solution in alcohol), a-ionone, isobutyl anthranilate, isobutyl butyrate, lemon essential oil, maltol, 4-methylacetophenone, methyl anthranilate, methyl benzoate, methyl cinnamate, methyl heptine carbonate, methyl naphthyl ketone, methyl salicylate, mint essential oil, neroli essential oil, nerolin, neryl isobutyrate, orris butter, phenethyl alcohol, rose, rum ether, g-undecalactone, vanillin, and solvent. (Don’t be too impressed with my list… I merely copied it from an article. I can’t even pronounce most of these!) Sounds bad, doesn’t it? It’s not. All of these combinations are synthesized in a way to enhance flavor and save on the cost of production. If the food industry relied on “natural” flavors the cost of most of our foods would be astronomical. Just the flavor in Coca Cola would increase more than a 1,000 times over the present cost of one-half cent per can without synthesized flavors. And, this is not to mention the real benefit to our health. There are countless drugs that simply would be unavailable because of cost and rarity of occurrence if not for organic synthesis. So, what’s the point? It is this: we must never forget the source of all our knowledge and benefit. Habakkuk reminds us that there is only one God and he is the only one to be worshipped. Man has done some incredible things with the tools God has given him. But, we are not gods. There is only one altar to bow before. It is the one before the throne of God, the creator and sustainer of all things. Man is indeed brilliant at times, but his brilliance pails in comparison to the great wonder of our God. Only what God has made can be trusted completely. What are you trusting today?