Job 39:15
And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.
Job 39:15 (KJV)
Context
The book of Job explores the problem of suffering. Job, a righteous man, loses his wealth, children, and health. He questions God about his trials. In Job 39, God answers Job by pointing to His wisdom and sovereignty in creation. God speaks about the animal kingdom, including the ostrich, to show that His ways are beyond human understanding.
This verse describes the ostrich, which lays her eggs on the ground and leaves them exposed. The eggs may be crushed by a traveler’s foot or broken by wild animals. The ostrich seems to forget the danger. The immediate context, Job 39:13-18, explains that God has deprived the ostrich of wisdom. She is swift and even scorns the horse and rider, yet she does not care for her young. This is not a moral failure on the ostrich’s part; it is part of God’s design.
Meaning
The verse shows that the ostrich acts by instinct, not by foresight. She does not protect her eggs from common dangers. The foot that may crush them belongs to a traveler walking by, and the wild beast may be an animal that frequents the same ground. The point is not that the ostrich is negligent, but that God has ordered creation in ways that humans cannot fully explain.
God uses the ostrich to teach Job about divine wisdom. Job cannot understand why the ostrich behaves this way, just as he cannot understand his own suffering. The verse reminds us that God’s knowledge is far greater than ours. What seems strange or careless in creation still serves God’s purpose.
Biblical connections
In Job 39:17, God says He has deprived the ostrich of wisdom. This connects directly to the verse, showing that the ostrich’s forgetfulness is not accidental but part of God’s sovereign ordering. The same God who gives wisdom to some withholds it from others. This is not a lesson about human parenting, but about God’s control over all creatures. The verse does not condemn the ostrich; it uses her as an example of instinct without understanding.
Application
When we face mysteries in life, we can trust that God has a plan. Just as He has a purpose for the ostrich, He has a purpose for our circumstances. We may not see the reason for our trials, but God’s wisdom is sufficient. This truth calls us to humility. We are part of a vast creation that we do not fully understand, and we should approach God with reverence.
The verse also encourages us to appreciate the responsibilities God gives us. Unlike the ostrich, human parents have the ability to protect and nurture their children. This is a gift from God, and we should use it wisely. Yet the main lesson is not about parenting, but about trusting God’s wisdom even when His ways seem strange to us.
Reflection
Reflecting on the ostrich can lead us to awe. God designed every creature with a specific role, even those that seem careless. His wisdom is not measured by human standards. When we see the natural world, we see evidence of His power and order. This should move us to worship and to trust Him more deeply.
In times of confusion, we can remember that God sees what we cannot. He knows the end from the beginning. Our limited understanding is not a barrier to faith; it is a reason to rely on Him. The God who cares for the ostrich also cares for us, and His purposes will stand.
