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Commentary on Job 39 verses 13–18
The ostrich is a wonderful animal, a very large bird, but it never flies. Some have called it a winged camel. God here gives an account of it, and observes,
I. Something that it has in common with the peacock, that is, beautiful feathers (Job 39:13): Gavest thou proud wings unto the peacocks? so some read it. Fine feathers make proud birds. The peacock is an emblem of pride; when he struts, and shows his fine feathers, Solomon in all his glory is not arrayed like him. The ostrich too has goodly feathers, and yet is a foolish bird; for wisdom does not always go along with beauty and gaiety. Other birds do not envy the peacock or the ostrich their gaudy colours, nor complain for want of them; why then should we repine if we see others wear better clothes than we can afford to wear? God gives his gifts variously, and those gifts are not always the most valuable that make the finest show. Who would not rather have the voice of the nightingale than the tail of the peacock, the eye of the eagle and her soaring wing, and the natural affection of the stork, than the beautiful wings and feathers of the ostrich, which can never rise above the earth, and is without natural affection?
II. Something that is peculiar to itself,
1.Carelessness of her young. It is well that this is peculiar to herself, for it is a very bad character. Observe, (1.) How she exposes her eggs; she does not retire to some private place, and make a nest there, as the sparrows and swallows do (Psa 84:3), and there lay eggs and hatch her young. Most birds, as well as other animals, are strangely guided by natural instinct in providing for the preservation of their young. But the ostrich is a monster in nature, for she drops her eggs any where upon the ground and takes no care to hatch them. If the sand and the sun will hatch them, well and good; they may for her, for she will not warm them, Job 39:14. Nay, she takes no care to preserve them: The foot of the traveller may crush them, and the wild beast break them, Job 39:15. But how then are any young ones brought forth, and whence is it that the species has not perished? We must suppose either that God, by a special providence, with the heat of the sun and the sand (so some think), hatches the neglected eggs of the ostrich, as he feeds the neglected young ones of the raven, or that, though the ostrich often leaves her eggs thus, yet not always. (2.) The reason why she does thus expose her eggs. It is, [1.] For want of natural affection (Job 39:16): She is hardened against her young ones. To be hardened against any is unamiable, even in a brute-creature, much more in a rational creature that boasts of humanity, especially to be hardened against young ones, that cannot help themselves and therefore merit compassion, that give no provocation and therefore merit no hard usage: but it is worst of all for her to be hardened against her own young ones, as though they were not hers, whereas really they are parts of herself. Her labour in laying her eggs is in vain and all lost, because she has not that fear and tender concern for them that she should have. Those are most likely to lose their labour that are least in fear of losing it. [2.] For want of wisdom (Job 39:17): God has deprived her of wisdom. This intimates that the art which other animals have to nourish and preserve their young is God's gift, and that, where it exists not, God denies it, that by the folly of the ostrich, as well as by the wisdom of the ant, we may learn to be wise; for, First, As careless as the ostrich is of her eggs so careless many people are of their own souls; they make no provision for them, no proper nest in which they may be safe, leave them exposed to Satan and his temptations, which is a certain evidence that they are deprived of wisdom. Secondly, So careless are many parents of their children; some of their bodies, not providing for their own house, their own bowels, and therefore worse than infidels, and as bad as the ostrich; but many more are thus careless of their children's souls, take no care of their education, send them abroad into the world untaught, unarmed, forgetting what corruption there is in the world through lust, which will certainly crush them. Thus their labour in rearing them comes to be in vain; it were better for their country that they had never been born. Thirdly, So careless are too many ministers of their people, with whom they should reside; but they leave them in the earth, and forget how busy Satan is to sow tares while men sleep. They overlook those whom they should oversee, and are really hardened against them.
2.Care of herself. She leaves her eggs in danger, but, if she herself be in danger, no creature shall strive more to get out of the way of it than the ostrich, Job 39:18. Then she lifts up her wings on high (the strength of which then stands her in better stead than their beauty), and, with the help of them, runs so fast that a horseman at full speed cannot overtake her: She scorneth the horse and his rider. Those that are least under the law of natural affection often contend most for the law of self-preservation. Let not the rider be proud of the swiftness of his horse when such an animal as the ostrich shall out-run him.
The sort of wings described here appears to signify the synagogue of those who led Christ to the cross. Indeed, who is that mother who generated many children but whose children are not hers? It can only be the one who gave birth to the prophets and brought up the apostles, who are not hers though. Indeed both prophets and apostles, after being adopted into the church, abandoned it.
For he whom the grace of charity does not fall upon looks upon his neighbor as a stranger, even though he has himself begotten him to God. Doubtless all are hypocrites whose minds in truth, while ever aiming at outward objects, become insensible within. While they are ever seeking their own, in everything they do they are not softened by any compassion of charity for the feelings of the neighbor.… But hypocrites do not know these gut level feelings of charity. Because the more their mind is let loose on outward subjects by worldly concupiscence, the more it is hardened inside by its lack of affection. And it is frozen by a benumbing torpor within, because it is softened by fatal love outside. It is unable to reflect upon itself, because it does not strive to think of itself. A mind cannot think on itself which is not entirely at home in itself. It is unable to be entirely at home in itself, because by as many lusts as it is hurried away, by as many objects as it is distracted from itself and scattered, it lies below, though with collected strength it may rise, if it willed, to the greatest heights.…“God has deprived it of its wisdom, nor has he given it understanding.” Although to deprive is one thing and “not to give” is another, yet his first expression, “deprived,” he repeated by subjoining “has not given.” As if he were saying, My expression “deprived” means not that he has unjustly taken away wisdom but that he has justly not given it. Hence the Lord is described as having hardened the heart of Pharaoh, not because he himself inflicted hardness or, in accord with the demands of his deserts, because he softened it by a sensibility of heavenly infused fear. But now, because the hypocrite pretends that he is holy and conceals himself under the semblance of good works, he keeps down peace of the holy church and is therefore, before our eyes, arrayed with the appearance of religion. But if any temptation of his faith springs up, the rabid mind of the wolf strips itself of its garb of sheep’s skin and shows by persecution how greatly it rages against the holy.
37. In ‘eggs’ there is one thing which is seen, another which is hoped for: and hope cannot be seen, as Paul witnesses, who says, What a man seeth, why doth he hope for? [Rom. 8, 24] What then is designated by the ‘eggs’ of the ostrich, but the Apostles born of the flesh of the synagogue? who whilst they present themselves as despised and lowly in the world, teach us to look for glory in heavenly places. For regarded by the haughty as abject, and as if of no account, they lay, like eggs on the ground; but the power of living, and of soaring to heavenly places, upborne by the wings of hope, lay hid within them. Which eggs the ostrich leaves in the earth; because the synagogue, scorning to listen to those Apostles, whom it had begotten in the flesh, gave them up to the Gentiles who were to be called. But the Lord with wonderful power warms these very same eggs in the dust; because He roused to life the progeny of the Apostles, in that Gentile world, which had hitherto been cast off; and they, whom the synagogue had despised as void of sense and life, now live and soar aloft, in the veneration of the Gentiles, by the authority of doctrine. The ostrich leaves her eggs in the dust; because the synagogue raised not from earthly desires those whom it begat by preaching. And because the ancient enemy finds those desires conceived in the heart, he doubtless hurries the minds assailed by them even into sins.
In every step of the fall, the beginning is represented by the lighter faults that later, with the increase of guilt, become more and more serious. Here the evilness of this hypocrite is analyzed through his progressive iniquities. First, he presents himself as a righteous person, which he is not at all. Then, he scorns the righteous. Finally, he even insults the Creator. Indeed, the soul never stays in the place where it fell, because, after falling voluntarily, the weight of its evilness leads it to worse and worse actions. And so, by precipitating [the fall], it is submerged more and more deeply. Let the hypocrite then go now and seek for his own praises. Later he will oppress the life of his neighbor, and one day he will even scorn his own Creator. The more he devises arrogant attitudes, the more he sinks into atrocious punishments as a result.
14. For what is expressed by ‘eggs,’ but the still tender offspring, which must be long cherished, in order to be brought to a living bird? For eggs are, in truth, insensible in themselves, but yet when warmed are changed into living birds. And so, doubtless, it is certain, that young hearers and children remain cold and insensible, unless they are warmed by the earnest exhortation of their teacher. That they may not, therefore, when abandoned, become torpid in their own insensibility, they must be cherished by the frequent instruction of their teacher, till they have strength, both to live in understanding, and to fly in contemplation. But because hypocrites, though they are ever working perversity, yet cease not to speak right things, but bring forth children in faith and conversation by speaking rightly, though they cannot nourish them by good living, it is rightly said of this ostrich, Who leaveth her eggs in the earth. For the hypocrite neglects the care of his children, because he gives himself up, with his inmost love, to outward objects, and the more he is elated by them, the less is he pained at the loss of his children. To have left eggs, therefore, in the earth, is not to raise above earthly actions the children which have been born by conversion, by interposing the nest of exhortation. To have left the eggs in the earth, is to furnish to his children no example of heavenly life. For, since hypocrites glow not with the bowels of charity, they never grieve at the torpor of the offspring which has been born to them; that is at the coldness of their eggs; and the more willingly they engage in worldly pursuits, the more carelessly do they permit those, whom they beget, to pursue earthly courses. But, because the care of heaven deserts not the forsaken children of hypocrites, for it warms some even of such, foreknown in secret election, by the regard of grace bestowed, it is rightly subjoined;
Wilt thou perchance warm them in the dust?
15. As if he said, As I, Who warm them in the dust;
because, namely, I kindle with the fire of My love the souls of the young, even when placed in the midst of sinners. What is understood by ‘dust,’ but the sinner? Whence also that enemy is satiated with the perdition of this sinner, of whom it is said by the Prophet, For the serpent, dust is his bread. [Is. 65, 25] What is pointed at by dust but the very instability of the wicked? Of which David says, Not so the ungodly, not so, but as dust which the wind sweepeth away from the face of the earth. [Ps. 1, 4] The Lord therefore warms the eggs, which have been left in the dust; because He kindles, with the fire of His love, the souls of His little ones, bereft of the anxious care of their preachers, even when dwelling in the midst of sinners. Hence is it, that we behold many, both living in the midst of multitudes, and yet not adopting the conduct of the sluggish people. Hence is it, that we behold many both not flying the crowds of the wicked, and yet glowing with heavenly ardour. Hence is it, that we behold many, if I may so speak, glowing in the midst of cold. For whence do some, living amidst the sluggishness of earthly men, burn with desires of heavenly hope; whence are they kindled, even amidst frozen hearts, except that Almighty God knows how to warm the forsaken eggs even in the dust, and, having dispelled the insensibility of their former coldness, so to animate them with the feeling of spiritual life, that they no longer lie torpid on the earth; but changed into living birds, raise themselves by contemplation, that is, by their flight, to heavenly objects? But we must observe, that in these words not only is the wicked conduct of hypocrites reprobated, but the pride of even good teachers, if any has crept in, is also kept down. For when the Lord says of Himself, that He Himself warms the forsaken eggs in the dust; He certainly plainly indicates, that He Himself works inwardly by the words of a teacher, Who, even without the words of any man, warms whom He will, in the cold of the dust. As if He openly said to teachers; That ye may know that I am He, Who work by you when speaking, behold, when I will, I speak even without you to the hearts of men. When the thoughts then of teachers have been humbled, His discourse proceeds to describe a hypocrite, and, with what folly he is stupified, is pointed out still more fully by the doings of the ostrich.
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SUMMARY
Job 39:14 is an integral part of God's profound discourse to Job from the whirlwind, serving as a powerful illustration of His unsearchable wisdom and comprehensive knowledge of creation. This specific verse highlights the ostrich's divinely ordained method of reproduction, detailing its practice of depositing eggs directly into the earth and relying on the warmth of the dust for incubation—a behavior that, while appearing unconventional from a human perspective, stands as a remarkable testament to God's intricate design and providential care over all living things.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Job 39:14 is situated within God's magnificent and climactic speech to Job, which spans from Job 38 through Job 41. Following Job's persistent pleas for an audience and his questioning of divine justice, God responds not with a direct explanation of suffering, but with a series of rhetorical questions that powerfully underscore His infinite power, wisdom, and sovereign control over the cosmos. The discourse commences by challenging Job's understanding of creation's foundational elements (e.g., Job 38:4-7), then progresses to the intricate details of weather patterns and celestial phenomena, before shifting focus to various wild animals from Job 38:39 through Job 39:30. The ostrich, specifically described in Job 39:13-18, serves as a prime example of a creature whose seemingly illogical or neglectful behavior (from a human viewpoint) is, in fact, a perfectly designed and sustained aspect of God's creation. This sets the stage for the subsequent verses that contrast its "foolishness" with God's unparalleled wisdom, ultimately humbling Job.
Historical & Cultural Context: Ostriches were indigenous to the Near East, particularly prevalent in the desert regions of Arabia and North Africa, making them a familiar, albeit peculiar, animal to the ancient Israelites and Job's contemporaries. Their unusual breeding habits, involving the laying of eggs in shallow depressions in the sand and often leaving them to incubate by the sun's heat, were observed and sometimes misunderstood. Ancient perceptions, reflected in later verses like Job 39:17, frequently attributed "foolishness" or even "cruelty" to the ostrich for what appeared to be the abandonment of its eggs. However, modern ornithology confirms that this method is an effective and energy-efficient incubation strategy in hot, arid climates, relying on the stable temperatures of the sand. This prevailing cultural perception of the ostrich's "folly" is precisely what God leverages in His discourse to emphasize His superior wisdom, demonstrating that what appears strange or flawed to human eyes is, in fact, an integral part of His perfect, intricate design.
Key Themes: This verse contributes significantly to the overarching themes of God's speech to Job. Firstly, it powerfully underscores Divine Wisdom and Providence, revealing that God's intricate design extends even to the seemingly unconventional behaviors of creatures like the ostrich. The ostrich's incubation method, though appearing neglectful to human observers, is a divinely orchestrated process relying on natural environmental conditions, showcasing God's meticulous care over every detail of creation. Secondly, it highlights the profound Contrast between Human Ignorance and Divine Knowledge. Job, representing humanity, is confronted with the vastness of God's understanding, which far surpasses any human capacity to comprehend the complexities of the natural world or the rationale behind God's actions. This serves to humble Job and reinforce God's absolute Sovereignty over Nature. Every creature, every instinct, and every life cycle, from the majestic wild ox to the seemingly "foolish" ostrich, is under God's direct and perfect governance, demonstrating that His ways are indeed higher than our ways, as affirmed in Isaiah 55:8-9.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs vivid Imagery to paint a clear picture of the ostrich's unique reproductive habits, enabling the listener (Job) to visualize the scene and marvel at the specific details of God's creation. While not explicitly stated in this single verse, the broader passage (Job 39:13-18) uses Irony and Contrast by presenting the ostrich's behavior, which might appear "foolish" or lacking in "wisdom" from a human perspective, as a profound demonstration of God's superior and unsearchable wisdom. The seemingly unconventional method of incubation serves as a powerful rhetorical device to humble Job, illustrating that even the most peculiar aspects of the natural world are part of God's perfect and inscrutable design, far beyond human comprehension. The description also contains a subtle form of Personification, attributing a specific, seemingly illogical, behavior to the ostrich, which then becomes a point of divine instruction regarding God's omniscient design.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 39:14 stands as a profound testament to God's meticulous and diverse wisdom, abundantly displayed throughout the entirety of creation. It challenges human assumptions about what constitutes "wise" or "proper" behavior in the natural world, revealing that God's designs often transcend our limited understanding and conventional logic. The ostrich's unique incubation method, relying on the earth's warmth rather than direct brooding, demonstrates God's infinite capacity to sustain life through myriad means, even those that appear unconventional or inefficient to human eyes. This verse, therefore, calls humanity to profound humility, acknowledging that God's ways are infinitely higher and more complex than our own, and that His providential care extends to every creature, in every minute detail of its existence. It powerfully reinforces the theme of divine sovereignty, asserting that nothing in creation operates outside of God's perfect design and absolute control.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 39:14 invites us to cultivate a profound sense of awe and humility before the Creator. In a world where we often strive to understand, categorize, and control everything, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's wisdom is vast, intricate, and frequently beyond our full comprehension. When we encounter situations in life, or aspects of God's dealings, that seem peculiar, inefficient, or even "foolish" from our limited human perspective, the ostrich's unique incubation method serves as a compelling metaphor. It encourages us to trust implicitly in God's perfect design and sovereign plan, even when we don't fully grasp its rationale or methodology. Our human tendency to judge or question based on our own logic and experience is gently corrected by the divine display of wisdom evident in creation. This should lead us not to doubt, but to deeper worship and a quiet confidence that the God who meticulously designed the ostrich's incubation in the dust is also sovereignly orchestrating the intricate details of our lives and the grand narrative of redemption. We are called to marvel at the diversity and ingenuity of His creation, recognizing that even the most peculiar behaviors are part of His grand, wise, and perfect design.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does God highlight the ostrich's seemingly "foolish" behavior?
Answer: God highlights the ostrich's behavior not to condemn the creature for actual folly, but to powerfully emphasize the vast difference between His divine wisdom and Job's (and humanity's) limited understanding. In Job 39:17, God states, "Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding." This statement is not a literal accusation of intrinsic foolishness but a rhetorical device. From a human perspective, laying eggs in the open ground and not brooding over them might appear neglectful or unintelligent. However, this is God's perfect design for the ostrich, perfectly suited for its desert environment where the sun's heat provides natural, effective incubation. God uses this example to show Job that even what appears "foolish" or unconventional to human eyes is an integral part of His perfect, intricate, and sovereign plan, demonstrating that His ways are beyond human comprehension and judgment. It serves to humble Job and underscore God's absolute authority and wisdom over all creation, a theme consistently reinforced throughout Job chapters 38-41.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divine wisdom displayed in the ostrich's unique incubation, where life is sustained through seemingly unconventional means, profoundly points to the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Christ is revealed in Scripture as the very wisdom of God incarnate, through whom all things were created and in whom all things hold together (Colossians 1:16-17). Just as the ostrich's method of propagating life appears "foolish" or illogical to human observers yet is perfectly designed and effective by God, so too was Christ's method of salvation—the cross—perceived as utter foolishness by the world (1 Corinthians 1:18). Yet, this "foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men" (1 Corinthians 1:25). The God who orchestrates the miraculous emergence of life through the warmth of dust is the same God who brings spiritual life and eternal salvation through the "dust" of humanity, through the humble birth, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection of His Son. The intricate providence over creation foreshadows God's ultimate providence in redemption, where He provides the perfect means for salvation, even if it defies human logic, demonstrating that His wisdom and power are fully revealed in Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.