“She treats her young harshly…” Job 39:16a

God had turned Job’s attention to aspects of creation he may have never considered: wild mountain goats and deer (vv. 1- 4); the wild donkey (vv. 5 – 8); and the wild ox (vv. 9 – 12). The next wild creature God presented to Job was in steep contrast to the wild ox: the flightless ostrich. The bird grows to a considerable size after surviving an open nest in the warm sands (vv. 14 – 15). Indeed, the ostrich is the largest bird on the planet, and is a bird in every way – except one… the ostrich is not designed to fly.

The ostrich’s wings may flap joyfully, though they do not compare with the stork’s pinions and feathers which loft it to the skies (v.13). Wings aren’t the only thing the ostrich is shorted on. God did not endow the female ostrich with wisdom or good sense in caring for her eggs or young (v.17). Her harsh treatment of them would make any casual observer conclude they were not her own (v.16). Yet, once grown, the ostrich lives in a herd of around twelve members, having one dominant male member. With assistance from the watch-care of mankind, the ostrich has been able to continue as a species.

So, what positive qualities does the ostrich possess? For one, the ostrich has the largest eyes of any land animal; and one ostrich egg weighs as much as two dozen medium sized chicken eggs! The crowning success of the big bird though is its ability to run. When you see her stretch her feathers to run, it’s as if she laughs at both horse and rider (v.18). The bird can run like the wind!

This conundrum of creation is a lesson in compensating abilities designed by God for continuance of the species. As a living object lesson for mankind, the bird is an obvious example for those who may appear without sense, only to have other superior qualities enabling him/her to excel in certain pursuits and achieve recognition for his/her excellence or ability. Perhaps, this serves to remind us not to judge others on face value… even if a mother seems to treat her young harshly. Jumping to conclusions can actually be a short hop into trouble.

Lord, teach us the lesson of the ostrich that we may run with abandon into Your waiting arms!

Have a blessed day…