"Observe Intently the Birds"

Observing  the Birds in Bible Times

The Bible makes many references to birds, often to teach valuable lessons.   For example, concerning the ostrich and its incredible speed, God said to a man named Job:  "When she rises up and flaps her wings, she laughs at the horse and at its rider."  (Job 39:13, 18)  God also asked Job:  "Is it by your understanding that the falcon soars, . . . or is it at your order that an eagle flies upward?" (Job 39:26, 27) The lesson?  Birds perform their feats without any help from us. Their abilities testify to God's wisdom, not ours.  

King Solomon wrote of  "the song of the turtledove," which heralds the arrival of spring. (Song of Solomon 2:12)  A psalmist mentioned the swallow when he was writing about his yearning to serve in God's temple. With a touch of envy, he said:  'Even the bird finds  a home there and the swallow a nest for herself, where she cares for her young near your grand altar, O Jehovah." -Psalm 84:1-3. 

Some of the most beautiful references to birds were made by Jesus Christ. Consider these words found at Matthew 6:26: "Observe intently the birds of heaven; they do not sow seed or reap gather into storehouses, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they are?"  That touching illustration reassures Jesus' followers that they are precious to God and need never be anxious about obtaining life's necessities. -Matthew 6:31-33. 

Today, bird-watching is a popular recreational activity-and understandably so, for birds amaze us with their antics, beauty, courtship rituals, and songs. What is more, they can teach us about life.  Will you "observe intently the birds"? 

Next time: PORTRAITS FROM THE PAST/WILLIAM WHISTON

From the Awake! magazine