Job
chapter 39 reminds me of the miracle of life. The birth of a child
transforms our view of the world. Every time I see a newborn, I look
at their tiny little fingernails. For some reason that always makes
me think of the hand of God. Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before
I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you
apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations“.
Again, we are reminded how little we know about the creation of
life. My daughter was born 10 days before her “Due Date” and
that is considered normal! As the chapter begins, God continues His
rapid-fire questioning of Job. Remember, in frustration, Job blamed
God for his suffering. Job had accused God of injustice, believing
God did not know the facts about how “good” Job had been. The
chapter begins, “Do
you know when the mountain goats give birth?
Do
you watch when the doe bears her fawn?“.
God chose to ask about critters we are familiar with. How many
species could He ask about that we “intelligent” humans have not
even identified? “Do
you count the months till they bear? Do you know the time they give
birth?“.
We are not even aware of the wild animals around us; we certainly
don’t pace the floor in anticipation. I wept with emotion at the
birth of each of my children. Understand, God is infinitely involved
with the birth of every creature, but God gave Man dominion over all
the Earth. God loves the rebellious teenager and those that deny His
existence and those trapped in addiction. God loves all of His kids!
Next
God questions how much we actually control wild beasts. It seems
that every week we read a tragic story of someone trying to make a
pet out of a wild animal. Some animals will not be tamed. God
asked Job, “Will
the wild ox consent to serve you? Will he stay by your manger
at night?“.
This “Wild Ox” was actually a breed of oxen also called the
aurochs.
It was
huge and known for its very aggressive temperament. It was not
domesticated and the last known aurochs died in 1627. Only in Disney
movies do wild animals serve humans. Strength without control is
dangerous and unpredictable. “Can
you hold him to the furrow with a harness?“.
The answer is “no”. Some of us were wild ox at one time,
completely useless to anyone but ourselves. I frankly believed
religious people were weak and needed a crutch to lean on. I now
know that wild oxen mostly produce large quantities of dung. Look
back, what have you have produced that will last?
Next
God asks Job about other animals to make subtle points. God notes,
“The
wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, but they cannot compare with the
pinions and feathers of the stork… She lays her eggs on the
ground“.
Have you noticed people with great talents and gifts but only use
them for show? They never learn to fly. There is no greater thrill
than allowing God to use your gifts for His purposes! God Continues
His questioning of Job, “Do
you give the horse his strength or clothe his neck with a flowing
mane? He paws fiercely, rejoicing in his strength, and charges into
the fray“.
I once heard the word “meek” described as this powerful stallion
under the control of the skilled rider. The greatest leaders and
world changers in the Bible are all described as Meek. It is the act
of placing ourselves under the authority of God to bring everyone
around us to victory. The chapter ends with God pointing out more
things that Job does not control. “Does
the hawk take flight by your wisdom… Does the eagle soar at your
command?”
“He
dwells on a cliff…
From
there he seeks out his food… where the slain are, there is he“.
Death and disease were not present before the sin of Adam. We now
live in a fallen world. There is only one way to find peace in this
world and that is through the Prince of Peace. Every life is sacred
to God, and God has given us free will to chose. I once believed
that following God would restrict my freedom, but the truth is, many
people are prisoners of their own sin.
Jesus said, “The
Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed Me to preach
good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for
the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the
oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor”
(Luke 4:18). Here is the good news, “So
if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed”
(John 8:36). Will you be wild, or free?