Job39

God continues His discourse to Job, challenging his understanding of the natural world by presenting various wild creatures. He questions Job's knowledge of the birthing cycles of wild goats and hinds, and highlights the untamed freedom of the wild ass and the unyokeable strength of the unicorn. God further describes the ostrich's peculiar parenting and the magnificent, battle-eager horse, concluding with the soaring hawk and eagle, all demonstrating divine wisdom in creation.
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God's Providence for Wild Creatures

1
Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? Or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve? ​
2
Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? Or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?
3
They bow themselves, they bring forth their young, They cast out their pains.
4
Their young ones become strong, they grow up in the open field; They go forth, and return not again. ​

The Untamable Wild Ass

5
Who hath sent out the wild ass free? Or who hath loosed the bonds of the swift ass, ​
6
Whose home I have made the wilderness, And the salt land his dwelling-place?
7
He scorneth the tumult of the city, Neither heareth he the shoutings of the driver.
8
The range of the mountains is his pasture, And he searcheth after every green thing.

The Unusable Strength of the Wild Ox

9
Will the wild-ox be content to serve thee? Or will he abide by thy crib? ​
10
Canst thou bind the wild-ox with his band in the furrow? Or will he harrow the valleys after thee?
11
Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? Or wilt thou leave to him thy labor?
12
Wilt thou confide in him, that he will bring home thy seed, And gatherthe grainof thy threshing-floor?

The Ostrich Lacking Wisdom

13
The wings of the ostrich wave proudly; But are they the pinions and plumage of love? ​
14
For she leaveth her eggs on the earth, And warmeth them in the dust,
15
And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, Or that the wild beast may trample them.
16
She dealeth hardly with her young ones, as if they were not hers: Though her labor be in vain, she is without fear; ​
17
Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, Neither hath he imparted to her understanding. ​
18
What time she lifteth up herself on high, She scorneth the horse and his rider.

The Strength and Terror of the War Horse

19
Hast thou given the horsehismight? Hast thou clothed his neck with the quivering mane? ​
20
Hast thou made him to leap as a locust? The glory of his snorting is terrible.
21
He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: He goeth out to meet the armed men.
22
He mocketh at fear, and is not dismayed; Neither turneth he back from the sword.
23
The quiver rattleth against him, The flashing spear and the javelin.
24
He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage; Neither believeth he that it is the voice of the trumpet.
25
As oft as the trumpetsoundethhe saith, Aha! And he smelleth the battle afar off, The thunder of the captains, and the shouting. ​

The Instinctive Flight of Birds of Prey

26
Is it by thy wisdom that the hawk soareth, And stretcheth her wings toward the south? ​
27
Is it at thy command that the eagle mounteth up, And maketh her nest on high? ​
28
On the cliff she dwelleth, and maketh her home, Upon the point of the cliff, and the stronghold.
29
From thence she spieth out the prey; Her eyes behold it afar off.
30
Her young ones also suck up blood: And where the slain are, there is she. ​

Study Notes for Job 39

Verse 1

God begins by asking Job about the most intimate and hidden details of creation—the timing of birth—to prove that Job's knowledge is profoundly limited.

Verse 4

This verse emphasizes that the young are quickly independent, demonstrating God’s provision for creatures that do not rely on human stewardship or care.

Verse 5

The wild ass is presented as the epitome of freedom, a state granted and maintained solely by God, resisting all attempts at domestication or human control.

Verse 9

The 'unicorn' (Heb. *re’em*) is likely the wild ox or aurochs, an animal of immense strength that cannot be tamed for human agricultural labor. God asks if Job can harness this power, emphasizing that true might often resists human utility.

Verse 13

God shifts to birds, contrasting the beauty of the peacock’s wings with the peculiar, seemingly foolish habits of the ostrich regarding its young.

Verse 16

The ostrich’s apparent cruelty or disregard for its offspring highlights a design that defies human logic regarding typical parental instinct.

Verse 17

This verse provides the theological explanation: the ostrich acts this way because God deliberately withheld wisdom or understanding from it, demonstrating divine control over instinct and natural law.

Verse 19

God now focuses on a domesticated animal, yet one whose power and terrifying majesty in battle are entirely God-given. 'Clothed his neck with thunder' is a powerful metaphor for its deep, resonant snorting and terrifying presence.

Verse 25

The horse’s fierce instinct and eagerness, signaled by its cry 'Ha, ha,' and smelling the battle from afar, contrasts the animal’s brute courage with human strategic caution.

Verse 26

God concludes the list by focusing on the instinctive, high-flying birds, asking if Job possesses the wisdom to guide their migration or nesting habits.

Verse 27

The eagle's ability to nest securely high on the rock demonstrates its independence from human help and its reliance on the natural laws established by God.

Verse 30

The eagle's predatory nature is highlighted, concluding the chapter with a reminder that God sustains life (even the young) through the harsh realities of the perfectly ordered created world.

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