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.

God's Providence for Wild Creatures

1
“Do you know the time when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe bears fawns? ​
2
Can you number the months that they fulfill? Or do you know the time when they give birth?
3
They bow themselves, they bear their young. They end their labor pains.
4
Their young ones become strong. They grow up in the open field. They go out, and don’t return again. ​

The Untamable Wild Ass

5
“Who has set the wild donkey free? Or who has loosened the bonds of the swift donkey, ​
6
Whose home I have made the wilderness, and the salt land his dwelling place?
7
He scorns the tumult of the city, neither does he hear the shouting of the driver.
8
The range of the mountains is his pasture, He searches after every green thing.

The Unusable Strength of the Wild Ox

9
“Will the wild ox be content to serve you? Or will he stay by your feeding trough? ​
10
Can you hold the wild ox in the furrow with his harness? Or will he till the valleys after you?
11
Will you trust him, because his strength is great? Or will you leave to him your labor?
12
Will you confide in him, that he will bring home your seed, and gather the grain of your threshing floor?

The Ostrich Lacking Wisdom

13
“The wings of the ostrich wave proudly; but are they the feathers and plumage of love? ​
14
For she leaves her eggs on the earth, warms them in the dust,
15
and forgets that the foot may crush them, or that the wild animal may trample them.
16
She deals harshly with her young ones, as if they were not hers. Though her labor is in vain, she is without fear, ​
17
because God has deprived her of wisdom, neither has he imparted to her understanding. ​
18
When she lifts up herself on high, she scorns the horse and his rider.

The Strength and Terror of the War Horse

19
“Have you given the horse might? Have you clothed his neck with a quivering mane? ​
20
Have you made him to leap as a locust? The glory of his snorting is awesome.
21
He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength. He goes out to meet the armed men.
22
He mocks at fear, and is not dismayed, neither does he turn back from the sword.
23
The quiver rattles against him, the flashing spear and the javelin.
24
He eats up the ground with fierceness and rage, neither does he stand still at the sound of the shofar.
25
As often as the shofar sounds he snorts, ‘Aha!’ He smells the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting. ​

The Instinctive Flight of Birds of Prey

26
“Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars, and stretches her wings toward the south? ​
27
Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up, and makes his nest on high? ​
28
On the cliff he dwells, and makes his home, on the point of the cliff, and the stronghold.
29
From there he spies out the prey. His eyes see it afar off.
30
His young ones also suck up blood. Where the slain are, there he is.” ​

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.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options