Job 39:14

Commentary on Job 39:14 KJV

Job 39:14 is part of a profound discourse where God challenges Job from the whirlwind, illustrating His infinite wisdom and comprehensive knowledge of creation, contrasting it with Job's limited understanding. This particular verse describes the ostrich, highlighting its unique method of reproduction: "Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,"

Context

In Job chapters 38-41, God systematically questions Job about the intricacies of the natural world, demonstrating His unmatched power and wisdom. He presents various wild animals—from the wild ass and unicorn to the eagle and leviathan—each showcasing a facet of divine design beyond human comprehension. The ostrich is presented as an example of a creature whose behavior, particularly its egg-laying, might appear peculiar or even neglectful from a human perspective, but is entirely orchestrated by God's wisdom. The description in this verse sets up the subsequent verses that speak to the ostrich's "foolishness" or lack of understanding, which is itself part of God's design.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Wisdom and Providence: The verse underscores that God's wisdom permeates every aspect of creation, including the seemingly strange or unconventional behaviors of animals like the ostrich. He designed their methods, and they serve His purposes. This behavior of leaving eggs in the earth and warming them in dust is a natural form of incubation, relying on the sun's heat in the desert environment.
• Human Ignorance vs. Divine Knowledge: The passage emphasizes the vast gap between human understanding and God's omniscient knowledge. Job, representing humanity, cannot grasp the intricate details of creation, let alone God's deeper intentions behind them. This serves to humble Job and reinforce God's ultimate sovereignty.
• God's Sovereignty over Nature: Every creature, every instinct, and every life cycle is under God's direct control. The ostrich's peculiar incubation method is not a flaw but a deliberate design by the Creator, showcasing His diverse and perfect governance over all things.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "leaveth" (תַּעֲזֹב - ta'azov) can mean to abandon or simply to place. In this context, it refers to the ostrich's practice of depositing its eggs. The word for "warmeth" (וַתְּחַמֵּם - vat'chamem) clearly indicates heating or warming, referring to the natural incubation process where the desert sand or dust, heated by the sun, acts as a natural incubator for the eggs. This highlights a specific, divinely ordained aspect of the ostrich's biology.

Practical Application

Job 39:14 invites us to cultivate humility and trust in God's perfect wisdom. When we encounter aspects of life, nature, or even God's dealings that seem strange or incomprehensible to us, this verse reminds us that His ways are infinitely higher than our own (Isaiah 55:8). It encourages us to marvel at the diversity and ingenuity of His creation, recognizing that even the most peculiar behaviors are part of His grand design. Our limited understanding should lead us not to doubt, but to greater awe and worship of the Creator who sustains all things, even those we might perceive as "foolish" (1 Corinthians 1:25).