Job 39:15

Job 39:15 is part of a profound discourse where God challenges Job from a whirlwind, highlighting His immense power and wisdom in creation. In this specific verse, God continues His description of the ostrich, emphasizing its peculiar behavior regarding its offspring, which appears to human observers as a lack of concern for their safety.

Context

This verse is embedded within God's powerful monologue to Job, spanning chapters 38 through 41. After Job has questioned divine justice and expressed his suffering, God responds not by explaining Job's plight, but by revealing His own incomparable majesty and knowledge of the universe. God quizzes Job about the mysteries of creation, from cosmic phenomena to the instincts of wild animals. The description of the ostrich (Job 39:13-18) serves as a vivid example of a creature designed by God with unique, seemingly paradoxical behaviors. The ostrich lays its eggs on the ground and leaves them, appearing to "forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them," a behavior that contrasts sharply with the protective instincts seen in most other creatures.

Key Themes

• Divine Wisdom and Sovereignty: The primary theme is God's infinite wisdom and absolute sovereignty over all creation. He knows and ordains the behavior of every creature, even those that seem "foolish" or contradictory to human understanding. This serves to humble Job and underscore the vast gap between human comprehension and divine knowledge. Psalm 104:24 beautifully declares, "O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all."
• The Mystery of Creation: The ostrich's behavior highlights that God's ways are often beyond human full comprehension. What might appear as neglect is part of a divinely instilled instinct, perhaps suited for the harsh desert environment where ostriches thrive. This behavior is contrasted with the wisdom God has "deprived" the ostrich of (Job 39:17), yet it is still part of His perfect design.
• Human Limitation: By presenting such examples, God reminds Job (and us) of the limits of human understanding and wisdom. Job, who sought to question God's justice, is shown that he cannot even comprehend the intricate design of a single creature, let alone the complexities of divine governance. This sets the stage for Job's eventual confession of ignorance and repentance in Job 42:3.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "forgetteth that the foot may crush them" reflects a human perception of the ostrich's behavior. The Hebrew word behind "forgetteth" (נָשָׁה, nashah) can imply neglect or abandonment, not necessarily a literal cognitive forgetting as humans understand it. It describes an instinctive behavior where the ostrich leaves its eggs vulnerable, seemingly without the protective instincts of other birds. This behavior is presented not as a flaw in God's design, but as a divinely ordained characteristic that further showcases God's unique and varied creative work, even in its apparent oddities.

Practical Application

Job 39:15 encourages us to cultivate humility before God's infinite wisdom. When we encounter aspects of life or creation that seem illogical, unfair, or beyond our grasp, this verse reminds us that God's perspective is far grander and more intricate than ours. We are called to trust in His sovereign design, even when we don't understand His methods or purposes. It also invites us to marvel at the diversity and complexity of God's creation, recognizing His hand in every detail, from the grandest galaxy to the smallest creature's unique instinct. Just as God cares for the seemingly "foolish" ostrich, He certainly cares for us, His image-bearers. As Jesus said, "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them."