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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.
26. Although to deprive is one thing, and not to give is another, yet His first expression ‘deprived,’ He repealed by subjoining, ‘hath 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. Whence the Lord is described as having hardened the heart of Pharaoh, not because He Himself inflicted hardness, but because, according as his deserts demanded, He softened it not by any sensibility of heaven-infused fear. But now, because the hypocrite pretends that he is holy, and conceals himself under the semblance of good works, he is kept down by the peace of 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.
41. For strict is the enquiry of secret retribution; and because it knowingly lost its humility, it also lost, unwittingly, the understanding of the truth. But the wounds, which it inflicted on the faithful at the coming of the Redeemer, are much less than those with which it still aims to smite the Church, by the coming of Antichrist. For it is preparing itself for that time, in order to oppress the life of the faithful with accumulated strength.
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.
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SUMMARY
Job 39:17 presents a profound divine declaration regarding the ostrich, explaining its seemingly peculiar behavior—specifically, its apparent lack of foresight in nesting and maternal care—as a direct outcome of God's intentional design. This verse is embedded within a larger discourse where God challenges Job's finite understanding of creation and divine providence. By highlighting the intricate, and at times perplexing, ways of various animals, God underscores His own unsearchable wisdom and sovereign control over all things, ultimately serving to humble Job and call him to trust in God's perfect, though often mysterious, plan for the cosmos.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Job 39:17, within the broader context of God's speech, employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. Anthropomorphism is subtly present in the application of human intellectual terms like "wisdom" and "understanding" to an animal, allowing for a relatable discussion of its behavior, even while God immediately redefines these terms in a divine context. The passage also makes extensive use of Rhetorical Questioning throughout God's discourse (e.g., Job 38:4), setting up the descriptions of animals like the ostrich as answers that humble Job's limited knowledge and capacity for comprehension. Contrast is a key device, as God contrasts the ostrich's seemingly "unwise" behavior with the expected prudence of other creatures or human understanding, thereby highlighting His unique and often counter-intuitive design in creation. Finally, the entire section functions as an Argument from Design, where the intricate and diverse characteristics of creation, even those that appear puzzling or illogical to human reason, serve as irrefutable evidence of God's omnipotence, omniscience, and sovereign control, ultimately challenging Job's capacity to comprehend divine justice and inviting him to a posture of humble trust.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 39:17 serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of God's sovereignty and the profound limits of human understanding. It asserts that God's design in creation is absolute, intentional, and perfectly suited for its purpose, even when it defies human logic or appears to lack conventional "wisdom." The ostrich's divinely ordained instincts, though seemingly imprudent from a human perspective, are perfectly suited for its purpose within God's grand ecosystem. This teaches us that God's ways are not always comprehensible to our finite minds, and His wisdom operates on a plane far beyond our own. It calls us to a posture of profound humility and unwavering trust, acknowledging that God's plan, though mysterious at times, is always perfect, purposeful, and ultimately good.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 39:17 invites us to profound reflection on our own understanding of God and His intricate world. In an age where we often seek to rationalize, explain, and control every aspect of our environment, this verse stands as a stark reminder that God's wisdom profoundly transcends our comprehension. Just as the ostrich's behavior, which appears "unwise" to us, is perfectly orchestrated by God for its unique purpose, so too are many circumstances in our lives and the broader world that seem perplexing, unjust, or without clear reason. This verse encourages us to cultivate a deep and abiding trust in God's sovereign design, even when we cannot fully trace His hand or grasp His ultimate purposes. It calls us to radical humility, recognizing the inherent limits of our finite minds in the face of an infinite, omniscient God. Our response to the inexplicable should not be doubt, despair, or questioning of God's goodness, but rather a humble surrender to His perfect wisdom, knowing with unwavering faith that He is working all things together according to His good pleasure, even when His methods diverge dramatically from our expectations or desires.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does Job 39:17 imply that God made the ostrich defective or less intelligent than other animals?
Answer: No, Job 39:17 does not imply that God made the ostrich defective or less intelligent. Instead, it highlights God's sovereign design and the incredible diversity of His creation. The phrases "deprived her of wisdom" and "imparted to her understanding" refer to the ostrich's specific, divinely ordained instincts, which simply differ from human expectations of foresight or maternal care. God is asserting that the ostrich's behavior, while appearing "unwise" from a human perspective (e.g., laying eggs in open ground, seemingly abandoning them to the elements), is precisely as He intended it to be. This unique characteristic is part of its specific role within the ecosystem and serves to demonstrate God's ability to design creatures that thrive on principles beyond our full comprehension. It's not a flaw or a deficiency, but rather a distinct feature of God's intricate and diverse creative wisdom, designed to humble Job and showcase God's unparalleled control over all things, as seen throughout Job 38-41.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 39:17 directly addresses God's sovereign design in creation, its ultimate fulfillment points profoundly to Christ as the very embodiment of God's perfect wisdom and the ultimate revelation of His often mysterious ways. The "wisdom" that God withholds from the ostrich, a wisdom that seems foolish to human eyes, finds its ultimate and paradoxical expression in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. For the world, the message of the cross was a scandal and utter foolishness, as 1 Corinthians 1:23 declares, yet for those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ crucified is revealed as the very power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). Just as the ostrich's seemingly "unwise" behavior perfectly serves God's purpose within creation, so too did God's "foolish" plan of salvation through a crucified Messiah accomplish His greatest purpose—the redemption of humanity and the reconciliation of all things to Himself. In Christ, the hidden wisdom of God, "which God ordained before the ages for our glory," is now fully revealed (1 Corinthians 2:7). He is the one in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). Thus, the mystery of the ostrich's divinely ordained design in Job 39:17 ultimately foreshadows the profound and often counter-intuitive wisdom of God made manifest in Jesus, inviting us to trust in a divine plan that far surpasses our limited human understanding and leads to eternal life.