Job 39:1-30 | God’s Wisdom in the Animal Kingdom

The Verses

“Do you know the time the mountain goats give birth?
Do you observe the calving of the deer?
Can you count the months they fulfill,
Or do you know the time they give birth?
They kneel down, they deliver their young,
They get rid of their labor pains.
Their offspring become strong, they grow up in the open field;
They leave and do not return to them.

Who sent the wild donkey out free?
And who opened the bonds of the swift donkey,
To whom I gave the wilderness as a home,
And the salt land as his dwelling place?
He laughs at the turmoil of the city,
He does not hear the shouting of the taskmaster.
He explores the mountains for his pasture,
And searches after every green thing.

Will the wild ox consent to serve you,
Or will he spend the night at your feeding trough?
Can you tie the wild ox in a furrow with ropes,
Or will he plow the valleys following you?
Will you trust him because his strength is great,
And leave your labor to him?
Will you have faith in him that he will return your grain,
And gather it from your threshing floor?

The ostrich’s wings flap joyously,
With the pinion and feathers of love,
For she abandons her eggs to the earth,
And warms them in the dust,
And she forgets that a foot may crush them,
Or that a wild animal may trample them.
She treats her young cruelly, as if they were not hers;
Though her labor is for nothing, she is unconcerned,
Because God has made her forget wisdom,
And has not given her a share of understanding.
When she rushes away on high,
She laughs at the horse and his rider.

Do you give the horse his might?
Do you clothe his neck with a mane?
Do you make him leap like locusts?
His majestic snorting is terrifying.
He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength;
He goes out to meet the battle.
He laughs at fear and is not dismayed;
And he does not turn back from the sword.
The quiver rattles against him,
The flashing spear and javelin.
He races over the ground with a roar and fury,
And he does not stand still when he hears the sound of the trumpet.
As often as the trumpet sounds, he says, “Aha!”
And he senses the battle from afar,
And the thunder of the captains and the war cry.

Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars,
Stretching his wings toward the south?
Is it at your command that the eagle rises high,
And makes his nest on the cliffs?
He dwells on the rock and spends the night
On the rocky cliff, an inaccessible place.
From there he tracks food;
His eyes see it from afar.
His young ones also drink blood,
And where the slain are, there he is.’”

Context and Meaning

In Job 39, God continues His speech, focusing on the animal kingdom to highlight His wisdom and sovereignty. He points out creatures that humans cannot control, emphasizing His perfect design and care for all living things.

Key Themes:

God’s Care for the Wild: He sustains wild animals, ensuring they give birth, grow, and survive (v. 1-4).
Freedom and Strength of Creatures: The wild donkey and ox live by God’s design, not human control (v. 5-12).
The Ostrich’s Unusual Nature: God gives the ostrich speed but little wisdom, showing His varied design in creation (v. 13-18).
The Power of the Horse: The war horse’s courage in battle is a gift from God, not human training (v. 19-25).
The Hawk and Eagle: These birds soar by God’s wisdom, hunting and thriving beyond human influence (v. 26-30).

God’s point? If Job cannot control even these animals, how can he question God’s governance over human affairs?

Reflection and Impact

This chapter humbles Job and reminds us of important truths:

God’s Wisdom is Displayed in Nature: Every creature, from the wild ox to the eagle, reflects God’s perfect design and provision (Psalm 104:24-25).
Human Power is Limited: If Job cannot command a hawk or tame a wild ox, how can he expect to understand God’s full purposes? (Isaiah 40:28).
Trust in God’s Sovereignty: If God sustains animals who do not question Him, how much more can we trust Him in our trials? (Matthew 6:26).

Application

Observe God’s Hand in Creation: Next time you see a bird soar or an animal thrive, remember God’s wisdom and care over all things (Romans 1:20).
Humble Yourself Before God’s Wisdom: If animals trust their Creator, we should trust Him even more, knowing He sees what we cannot (Job 28:28).
Rest in God’s Control Over Your Life: Just as He feeds the ravens and commands the sea, He is in control over your trials and future (Luke 12:24).

Closing Thought

God’s speech is a powerful reminder that He governs not just human lives but all creation. If He carefully sustains wild animals, commands the weather, and governs the stars, how much more can we trust Him with our own lives?

TIME FOR PROVIDENCE