Illustrating God's Wisdom with Human Eye and Bird Migration
Illustrating God's Wisdom
The biblical account of creation highlights God's wisdom in forming the natural world, including the diversity of birds and their remarkable abilities [1]. The book of Job, in particular, draws on the example of birds to illustrate God's wisdom and providence. In Job 39, the text notes the hawk's remarkable migratory patterns, flying "toward the south" (Job 39:26) [7].
This phenomenon is not just a testament to the hawk's instinct but also a demonstration of God's wisdom in creating such a complex and awe-inspiring natural world. As Matthew Henry comments on this passage, "The birds of the air are proofs of the wonderful power and providences of God, as well as the beasts of the earth" [7]. The Psalmist similarly reflects on the wonders of creation, noting that God's wisdom is manifest in the natural world, where "people should stand in awe of the Lord" (Ps 65:8) [5].
The human eye is also a remarkable example of God's wisdom, as it is capable of perceiving and understanding the world around us. Proverbs 17:24 notes that "Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth" [2]. This contrast between the wise and the foolish highlights the importance of understanding and perception in navigating the world.
In Acts 11:6, Peter's vision of "the four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky" serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over all creation [4]. The Psalmist also reflects on the wonders of creation, noting that God "provides for" the birds (Ps 104:1-) and that they are "the property of God" (Ps 50:11) [1].
The imagery of birds is used throughout the biblical text to illustrate God's care and provision for his people. In Isaiah 31:5, the Lord is likened to a bird "flying" to defend Jerusalem, demonstrating his tenderness and affection for his people [6]. John Gill comments on this passage, noting that "As birds in the air... have their eye upon their nests, and their young ones in them, and when in danger fly to their assistance... so the Lord, on high, sees his people when in distress, and hastens to help them" [6].
The biblical account of creation and the natural world serves as a powerful illustration of God's wisdom and providence. As Adam Clarke notes on Genesis 1:22, "It is truly astonishing with what care, wisdom, and minute skill God has formed the different genera and species of birds" [8]. The structure of a single feather is a "world of wonders," and God's creation of birds is a testament to his wisdom and power.
The book of Proverbs also highlights the importance of wisdom in understanding the natural world. Proverbs 6:13 notes that the wicked "winking with his eyes, speaking with his feet, Directing with his fingers" [3], illustrating the complex and multifaceted nature of human behavior. In contrast, the wise person is characterized by their understanding and perception, as noted in Proverbs 17:24 [2].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Birds — Created by God -- Ge 1:20,21; 2:19. Created for the glory of God -- Ps 148:10. Herb of the field given as food to -- Ge 1:30. Differ in flesh from beasts and fishes -- 1Co 15:39. Power over given to man -- Ge 1:26; Ps 8:8. Names given to, by Adam -- Ge 2:19,20. Instinctively fear man -- Ge 9:2. Instinct of, inferior to man's reason -- Job 35:11. Lessons of wisdom to be learned from -- Job 12:7. Can all be tamed -- Jas 3:7. Given as food to man -- Ge 9:2,3. The blood of, not to be eaten -- Le 7:26. The property of God -- Ps 50:11. God provides for -- Ps 104:1-”
- Proverbs “Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth. -- Proverbs 17:24”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 6:13 (YLT) — Winking with his eyes, speaking with his feet, Directing with his fingers,”
- Acts “When I had looked intently at it, I considered, and saw the four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky. -- Acts 11:6”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 65:8: 65:8 All over the world (Job 38:13; see Ps 50:1-3), people should stand in awe of the Lord.”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 31:5: As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem,.... As the preceding metaphor expresses the mighty power of God, this his tenderness and affection, as well as his speed and swiftness in the deliverance of his people. As birds in the air, at a distance, especially the eagle, have their eye upon their nests, and their young ones in them, and when in danger fly to their assistance, and hover over them, and about them, to keep off those that would hurt them, or carry them away; so the Lord, on high, sees his people when in distress, and hastens to help them, ”
- Job (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Job 39:26: The birds of the air are proofs of the wonderful power and providences of God, as well as the beasts of the earth; God here refers particularly to two stately ones: - 1. The hawk, a noble bird of great strength and sagacity, and yet a bird of prey, Job 39:26. This bird is here taken notice of for her flight, which is swift and strong, and especially for the course she steers towards the south, whither she follows the sun in winter, out of the colder countries in the north, especially when she is to cast her plumes and renew them. This is her wisdom, and it was God t”
- Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 1:22: Let fowl multiply in the earth - It is truly astonishing with what care, wisdom, and minute skill God has formed the different genera and species of birds, whether intended to live chiefly on land or in water. The structure of a single feather affords a world of wonders; and as God made the fowls that they might fly in the firmament of heaven, Gen 1:20, so he has adapted the form of their bodies, and the structure and disposition of their plumage, for that very purpose. The head and neck in flying are drawn principally within the breast-bone, so that the whole unde”