Job 39:17

Job 39:17 is part of a lengthy discourse where God directly addresses Job, challenging his understanding and showcasing the divine wisdom evident in creation. After Job's persistent questioning of God's justice and ways, the Lord responds by drawing attention to the intricate and often peculiar behaviors of various animals, demonstrating His unparalleled knowledge and control over all things.

Context

This verse specifically refers to the ostrich, an animal described in Job 39:13-18. God highlights what, from a human perspective, appears to be a lack of maternal care or foresight in the ostrich's nesting habits. The preceding verses mention how the ostrich lays her eggs on the ground, seemingly abandoning them, and is fearless of danger to herself or her young. Verse 17 provides the divine explanation for this behavior: "Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding." This isn't a judgment on the ostrich's intelligence, but rather an assertion of God's sovereign design, which operates on principles beyond human comprehension. This serves to humble Job, illustrating that if he cannot grasp the seemingly odd behavior of an animal, how much less can he comprehend the ways of the Almighty?

Key Themes

• Divine Sovereignty in Creation: The verse powerfully underscores God's absolute authority and meticulous design over every creature. Even behaviors that appear illogical to human observers are part of His intentional plan. This theme resonates with Psalm 104:24, which declares the vastness of God's wisdom in His works.
• The Mystery of God's Ways: It highlights that much of God's creation, and indeed His overall governance, operates on principles that are beyond human understanding. The ostrich's behavior, while seemingly lacking conventional "wisdom," is nonetheless purposeful within God's grand design. This points to the broader biblical truth that God's thoughts and ways are far above human thoughts and ways.
• Humility Before God: By presenting these natural wonders and their divine explanations, God challenges Job's presumption to understand or question divine justice. The implication is clear: if Job struggles to comprehend the instincts of an animal, how can he possibly grasp the complexities of God's moral governance of the universe? This humbling experience is central to Job's eventual repentance and renewed faith.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words for "wisdom" (chokhmah - חָכְמָה) and "understanding" (binah - בִּינָה) are significant. While often used for human intellectual and moral discernment, here they are applied to an animal's natural instinct. The phrase "deprived her of wisdom" doesn't imply a defect in the ostrich, but rather a divinely ordained characteristic. It signifies that the ostrich’s instincts are not guided by what humans would perceive as intelligent foresight, particularly concerning the vulnerability of its offspring, yet these instincts are perfectly adequate for its survival within God's ecosystem. This unique aspect is part of the Creator's design, emphasizing that God's methods can diverge from human expectations.

Practical Application

For believers today, Job 39:17 offers a profound lesson in trusting God's sovereignty, even when His actions or designs seem counter-intuitive or mysterious. It encourages humility, reminding us that our finite human understanding cannot fully grasp the infinite wisdom of God. Just as God has a purpose for the seemingly "unwise" behavior of the ostrich, so too does He have a perfect plan for our lives and the world, even amidst circumstances that seem perplexing or unjust. This verse invites us to rest in the assurance that God's ways are always ultimately wise and good, even when we do not fully comprehend them.