Lessons From The Eagle

Job 39:27-30 Does the eagle soar at your commandand build its nest on high? It dwells on a cliff and stays there at night; a rocky crag is its stronghold. From there it looks for food; its eyes detect it from afar. Its young ones feast on blood, and where the slain are, there it is.” 

Interesting words from God's Word.

Here in America...

The eagle had represented power and majesty for thousands of years before John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and our Nation's other founding fathers chose the bald eagle as our national symbol in 1782. Then as now, the eagle represented 'a free spirit, high soaring and courageous.' Moreover, the bald eagle has always been uniquely American, found only on our continent. At the time the Republic was formed, the bald eagle was common in North America, soaring through the skies over its timber-bordered lakes, streams, and coastlines. Perhaps as many as 25,000 lived in the continental United States.

Eagles love a the storm. When clouds gather, the eagles get excited. The eagle uses the storm s winds to lift it higher. Once it finds the wing of the storm, the eagle uses the raging storm to lift him above the clouds. This gives the eagle an opportunity to glide and rest its wings. In the meantime all the other birds hide in the leaves and branches of the trees. We can use the storms of life to rise to greater heights. Achievers relish challenges and use them profitably.

These verses teach us lessons.

1. The LORD is in Control.

Look at the question the LORD asks Job.

I have enjoyed watching the birds in my backyard and the geese out front as they raise their broods.

That is the message in these verses to Job. God is in control. Man is not. Any time man thought he was disastrous dictators have arisen, wars have been launched, acts of terror committed.  

There are reasons He chose the Eagle to illustrate this.

A fascinating bird but much more...

Promises of God made with it in mind.

Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 

Exodus 19:4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. 

But the bottom line here in this talk about nature and in particular the eagle is that Job has no say in these matters, how much more in wanting to present His case before God. We can fast, pray, plead and even promise God if He does this or that we will...  God is in control. 

Psalm 115:3 Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him. 

The problem with Providence.

The pleasure of Providence.

There is no explanation of why Job suffered so. That is God's intent. We simply are not given such information.

Job was not to know

God was concerned about him.

As we look at Job as a whole we can conclude that there are some things about human suffering which the LORD cannot possibly explain to us without destroying the very purpose which they  were designed to fulfill.

Job's faithfulness to and love for  God was being put through the fire and he came forth like gold!

In the end of suffering we come to know God is control and we can rest in Him alone because sometimes things happen to us that defy explanation .

2. The Eagle Builds Its Nest On High

Home that is protected, safe.

We need to make our homes safe. Build it upon the Rock,  make it hight and holy, elevated above the world. Pray for our children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

We need to make our churches safe. I am not talking about fire alarms or snow removal.... I am talking about Sound Doctrine. The high place of God's Word. I hear what people are listening to today and its no wonder there is so much despair. The lifestyle of the Master is so violated by false teachers.  Few ralize that their lifestyle subtly influences their doctrine.  

3. In Darkness It is Kept Safe by the Stronghold.

As Job discovered dark days will come, they will come to all of us.

God wants to us to be build a stronghold around us.

He wants us to dwell in the protection of His Wings and Refuge.

David lived in the stronghold in En Gedi for years. Photos

The LORD and His Word are our stronghold.

The eagle from building its nest high, along with its eye sight...

4. It has a vantage point for searching for food.

Bald Eagles eat mostly fish, a favorite food. Other foods include: ducks, snakes, turtles, muskrats, rabbits, frogs, fawns (baby deer), mice, snails, other birds, vulture vomit, and carrrion. 

It can travel at a speed of 75-99mph, to a height of 2,400 feet and can see a rabbit two miles away!

There is food in our sight, right before us, easy to access, in our hands!

We have daily bread given to us by the LORD on our tables and for our souls.

5. Its position allows it see things afar.

The prophecy of scripture 

 

2 Peter 1:20-21 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 

The discerning heart. Things present/ things to come.

Let's take lessons to heart today. We need them for the times we are in.