Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Job 39:1-4

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Job 39:1-4


1 Knowest [yada`] thou the time [`eth] when the wild goats [ya`el] of the rock [cela`] bring forth [yalad]? or canst thou mark [shamar] when the hinds ['ayalah] do calve [chuwl]?
2 Canst thou number [caphar] the months [yerach] that they fulfil [male']? or knowest [yada`] thou the time [`eth] when they bring forth [yalad]?
3 They bow [kara`] themselves, they bring forth [palach] their young ones [yeled], they cast out [shalach] their sorrows [chebel].
4 Their young ones [ben] are in good liking [chalam], they grow up [rabah] with corn [bar]; they go forth [yatsa'], and return [shuwb] not unto them. KJV-Interlinear


39 'Do you know the time the mountain goats give birth? Do you observe the calving of the deer? 2 'Can you count the months they fulfill, Or do you know the time they give birth? 3 'They kneel down, they bring forth their young, They get rid of their labor pains. 4 'Their offspring become strong, they grow up in the open field; They leave and do not return to them. NASB


The wild animals of the world, get pregnant and have their young. The young grow up and leave their parents and the cycle repeats itself all over again.

Probably in Jobs day, not a lot was known regarding this cycle of life. Although common sense suggests that the wild animals reproduce just as domestic animals do, the process of reproduction, the period of gestation, the pregnancy, the birthing and so forth are not in view here.

What is in view?

Who is present when these things occur in the wild? Who is present when the pregnancy begins? Who is present during the pregnancy? Who is present during the hours of labor, during the moments of birth when the mother is in her most vulnerable state from predators? Who is present when the young are nursing, when they grow up, and when they leave their mothers to begin their own life?

Is man present during any of this life cycle? No.

Man was not present when the wild animals of the world reproduced in the ancient world, and man is still not present on the mountain cliffs, or in the deep forest regions where the goats or deer have their young.

Animals do not have an inheritance in heaven. Animals do not have much to say about their destiny in life. And yet God pays close attention to their needs, such that many thousands of species do not become extinct. At least not on Gods watch.

And yes, many animals have become extinct, but who was the cause? Many animals do suffer in the wild, but who is the cause? Many animals have to struggle in life, but again, who is the cause of those struggles?

Man is worth far more than the animals in the wild. So if God pays close attention to them, then how much more is His attention toward you, who is an infinitely more valuable creature?