Job 39
Man's Ignorance of the Animal Creation; Description of the Wild Goat, Hind, Wild Ass, and Unicorn.In this section, God reminds Job how little humans know about the wild animals. These creatures live in places humans rarely see, yet God cares for them all. The passage highlights how God’s wisdom and power are far greater than man’s understanding, especially when it comes to nature and the animal world.v. 1: God asks Job if he knows when the wild goats and hinds give birth . Humans are ignorant about the hidden times and places where these animals have their young. Just as we do not know these secrets, we cannot fully understand the mysteries of God’s plans. v. 2: God continues, asking if Job can count the months of their pregnancy or if he knows when they are ready to give birth . This shows that humans are limited in their knowledge, even about common creatures. v. 3: Even though wild goats and hinds give birth with difficulty and without human help, God ensures their young are safely born. Their pain ends, and their sorrow is gone . This reminds us that God helps even animals in need, just as he helps people. As the voice of the Lord makes the hinds give birth (Psalm 29:9 a), God’s power is seen in nature. v. 4: The young ones grow strong and healthy after being cared for by their mothers. Soon, they go out on their own and no longer depend on their parents . This is an example: when children grow up, they should not always rely on their parents, but learn to live independently and care for themselves. v. 5: God asks who set the wild ass free . Only God gives it the freedom to live without being tamed. The wild ass enjoys its liberty, but it comes with a price—it must survive on its own, unlike the tame donkey who works but is cared for by humans. v. 6: The wild ass lives in the wilderness, in a barren land where there is little to eat . Unlike the tame animals, which have food and shelter, the wild ass must search for its own food and shelter in harsh places. As it is written, her house is in the wilderness (Jeremiah 2:24 b). v. 7: The wild ass does not care about the city or the noise made by people who try to control it . It avoids crowds and ignores those who would try to tame it. It prefers the freedom of the wild, even though life is harder there. v. 8: Its food comes from the mountains, and it searches for anything green to eat . The wild ass must work hard to survive, while domesticated animals have their needs provided for by people. v. 9: God challenges Job about the unicorn, which is a strong and proud animal, possibly the wild ox . God asks if Job can make it work like a tame animal. This shows that some animals cannot be controlled or used by people, no matter how strong they are. v. 10: The unicorn will not plow the fields or help with farm work . Unlike oxen or donkeys, it cannot be trained to serve humans. This reveals how some creatures remain wild, and humans cannot change their nature. v. 11: Even though the unicorn is very strong, people cannot trust it to help with their work . Farmers will not depend on it to bring in the harvest. Its strength is not useful to humans because it cannot be controlled. v. 12: No one expects the unicorn to gather grain or store it in barns . God made some animals for service and others for freedom. Humans must accept that they cannot rule over everything. We should be thankful for the animals that do help us and remember that God is wise in all His ways. Description of the Peacock and Ostrich.This section talks about the amazing features of the peacock and especially the ostrich. The ostrich is a large bird that cannot fly, but it is still unique in many ways. God uses the example of these birds to teach us about His wisdom and how He gives different gifts to His creatures. Some animals are beautiful but not always wise, and not every creature uses its gifts in the same way.v. 13: God asks if Job gave the peacock its beautiful wings or the ostrich its feathers . The peacock is known for its proud, colorful feathers, which make it an emblem of pride. The ostrich also has fine feathers, but it is not wise. This shows that beauty does not always come with wisdom. Just as other birds do not complain about not having the peacock’s beauty, we should not envy others for their gifts. God gives different talents and appearances to each creature. v. 14: The ostrich lays her eggs on the ground and does not make a nest in a safe, private place . Unlike other birds, she does not take care to warm her eggs or protect them, leaving them exposed to the sun and sand. This shows a lack of natural care for her young. v. 15: Because she leaves her eggs on the ground, they can be crushed by people walking by or eaten by wild animals . Still, some of her young survive, which is only possible because of God’s special care. Even when parents fail, God can protect and provide for the helpless. v. 16: The ostrich is described as being hardened against her young ones; she does not show kindness or concern for them . Her labor in laying eggs is wasted because she has no affection for her chicks. This lack of care is rare, even among animals, and it teaches us that those who do not care for others often lose the results of their work. v. 17: The reason for her behavior is that God has not given her wisdom . The skills and instincts to care for young are God’s gifts, and He gives them as He chooses. We can learn from the folly of the ostrich just as we learn from the wisdom of the ant (Proverbs 6:6 c). People who do not care for their own souls or their children are acting just as unwisely. v. 18: If the ostrich is in danger, she can run very fast, even faster than a horse and its rider . She lifts her wings and runs with great speed, showing that, while she does not protect her eggs, she is very good at protecting herself. This teaches us that some creatures are more concerned with their own safety than with caring for others. Description of the War-Horse.This section describes the war-horse, a powerful and noble animal. God shows that He gives strength and courage to the horse, making it both strong and willing to serve humans, especially in times of battle. The war-horse was highly valued for its bravery and energy. While people might admire the horse’s power, God reminds us that true safety and victory do not come from animals, but from Him alone (A horse is a vain thing for safety, Psalm 33:17 d).v. 19: God asks Job if he gave the horse its strength or clothed its neck with a flowing mane . The horse is strong and eager to serve, but this strength comes from God, not from man. God is the source of all power in nature, even though He does not delight in the strength of the horse for protection (Psalm 147:10 e). v. 20: The horse’s snorting is fierce. Its neck and nostrils are impressive and make it look powerful and bold . The horse is not afraid like a grasshopper, but stands tall, ready for action. v. 21: The horse is excited and paws the ground in the valley, eager to go into battle . It shows pride in its strength and is ready to face danger, using its power to help humans, unlike wild animals that resist people. v. 22: The war-horse is not afraid of danger or weapons. It laughs at fear and does not run away from swords or spears . Its courage encourages its rider in battle. v. 23: When the rider’s quiver rattles and the spear and javelin shine, the horse is not scared . It does not back down, even in the face of deadly weapons. v. 24: The horse charges with such strength and speed that it seems to swallow the ground in its fury and excitement . It cannot stand still when it hears the sound of the trumpet calling to battle. v. 25: As soon as the trumpet sounds, the horse says, “Ha! ha!” with excitement and rushes forward. It smells the battle from far away and hears the commanders shouting and the noise of war . The horse is ready and eager for the fight, showing how God has perfectly designed animals for their roles. Description of the Hawk and Eagle.This section highlights how birds like the hawk and the eagle reveal God's amazing power and wisdom. These birds do incredible things not because of human ability, but because God created them this way. Their strength, intelligence, and instincts are gifts from God, showing that He cares for all creatures and guides their actions.v. 26: God asks Job if it is by his wisdom that the hawk flies south at the right time . The hawk is strong and smart, but her ability to fly great distances and follow the seasons comes from God, not from people. This shows God's wisdom in the natural world. v. 27: God then asks if Job commands the eagle to soar so high and make its nest up on the cliffs . The eagle rises higher than any other bird, but this is not because of human power. God gave the eagle the instinct and strength to do this. v. 28: The eagle builds its nest on the highest rocks and crags, where it is safe from danger . This strong and high home protects the eagle and its young, just as God provides safety for all creatures. Still, even those who feel safe in high places should remember that God can bring anyone down (Though you make your nest as high as the eagle, I will bring you down, Jeremiah 49:16 f). v. 29: From its high perch, the eagle can see very far to find its food . Its sharp eyesight is another gift from God. The eagle looks for prey on the ground, never missing what it needs, just as nothing escapes God's notice. v. 30: The eagle and its young feed on living creatures and sometimes on dead bodies found after battles (Job 39:30 g). Wherever there are dead bodies, the eagles will gather (Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather, Matthew 24:28 h). This shows how every creature moves toward what God has provided as its food. These instincts remind us how much we depend on God and how little we truly understand about His creation.
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