The Ostrich Job 39:13-18
In this portion our attention is called to the lack of wisdom as seen in the ostrich; a creature having the form of a bird, but without power to leave the earth. When other birds take refuge in flight, this one when hard pressed, it is said, buries its head in the sand. How like the mere profession of such as have the "form of godliness" but deny the power of it in their lives, and when pressed as to matters of eternal judgment refuse to face the facts, and shield themselves by earthly things-the shifting sands of time. Such never see things from God's point of view, but only from man's.
As for the ostrich itself, so for its offspring:"She leaveth her eggs in the earth, . . . and forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them. She is hardened against her young ones as though they were not hers; her labor is in vain, without fear." Without "the fear of God," which is the "beginning of wisdom," parents who refuse to own their responsibility to God as to themselves, will also refuse to own it as to their children. Such build their "house upon the sand," and the storm soon to burst upon this scene will prove their "labor in vain." Such leave their offspring "in the earth" in danger of destruction by the evil walk of others who cross their path, or by the subtle doctrines of that "beast" that "goeth about seeking whom he may devour."
The Eagle Job 39:27-30
In this portion God calls our attention to a bird having a God given wisdom, typical of the true child of God. The eagle .also has power to leave earth and see things from lofty heights-God's point of view."She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock." The "house built upon the rock " abides. From her lofty sphere "her eyes behold afar off," and foreseeing evil, she provides against it. To build her nest merely upon a rock would be to leave her offspring still accessible to the destroying " foot" or "wild beast; "but upon " the crag of the rock, "a projection inaccessible except to the wing, she rears her young in safety. She herself feeds not upon carrion, but upon the "slain"-the death of another affording life to her and her offspring. In that separated place her young are made to know the value of the blood. "Her young ones also suck up blood." "Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood," said our Lord, "hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:54).
In Ps. 149 we find those in whose "mouth" are the "high praises of God" have also " a two-edged sword in their hand; to execute vengeance upon the heathen and punishments upon the people . . .to execute upon them the judgment written:this honor have all His saints." Those who have valued the One who was slain and shed His blood for them are also the ones who will share in His rule when He comes to reign and to execute judgment upon the despisers. J. E. H. S.