“The eagle that soars in the upper air does not worry itself how it is to cross rivers.” —Gladys Aylward
There are few sights more glorious than a horse at full gallop or an eagle in flight. Having described the one, the Lord now turns to the other. “Does the hawk fly by your wisdom, and spread its wings toward the south? Does the eagle mount up at your command…?” (Job 39:26-27). Solomon was amazed at the same majestic display—“the way of an eagle in the air” (Prov 30:19). Here the Lord makes no mention of their mighty beaks or their fearsome talons to carry away their catch. One eagle was observed carrying off a 15 lb mule deer fawn! The Lord features three important details. First, He highlights the way the raptor can “fly…and spread its wings” (v 26). This is a significant motif in Scripture. He reminds Israel of His care for them in snatching them, eagle-like, from Egypt and carrying them to safety. “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself” (Ex 19:4). The Lord included a verse on this theme in the song He wrote for them to sing (Deut 31:19): “As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings, so the Lord alone led him” (32:11-12). The Lord also highlights the way the eagle wisely makes its eyrie “on high.” “On the rock it dwells and resides, on the crag of the rock and the stronghold” (Job 39:27-28). Yes, Job, there’s safety in the Rock! And what a view from such a vantage point! “From there it spies out the prey; its eyes observe from afar” (v 29). Oh to learn the lesson of the eagle! The strongest of us may faint and fall, “but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isa 40:31).