Job 39:30

“Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.”

This verse is part of a larger passage in Job 39 where God is responding to Job’s questions and challenges regarding the order and wisdom of the natural world.

In this particular verse, God describes the behavior of a specific creature, often believed to be the ostrich, emphasizing its unique characteristics and behavior.

To gain a deeper understanding of the verse, it’s helpful to examine the surrounding verses and the broader context of the book of Job.

Here are a few key points to consider:

Literary Context:The book of Job is primarily a poetic dialogue that explores the issue of suffering and the nature of God’s justice. Job, a righteous man, suffers greatly, and he questions why he is experiencing hardship.

God’s Response:In chapters 38 to 41, God finally responds to Job out of the whirlwind, reminding him of His divine wisdom and power. God uses a series of rhetorical questions to highlight the intricacies of His creation, emphasizing that human understanding is limited compared to God’s knowledge.

The Ostrich:In Job 39:13-18, God speaks about the ostrich. It’s important to note that some scholars suggest the identification of the creature mentioned in verse 30 as the “ostrich,” while others propose alternative possibilities such as the “vulture” or the “eagle.” However, the general consensus leans towards the ostrich.

Unique Characteristics:God describes the ostrich as a creature lacking in wisdom and understanding. It lays its eggs on the ground and is careless about their safety, leaving them vulnerable. The verse in question, Job 39:30, refers to the behavior of the ostrich’s young ones, which suck up blood, likely meaning they feed on carrion or carcasses. The phrase “where the slain are, there is she” suggests that the ostrich is attracted to places where there is death or destruction.

Symbolic Meaning:The mention of the ostrich and its behavior serves as a rhetorical device in God’s response to Job. It highlights God’s sovereignty and wisdom in the natural world, contrasting with Job’s limited understanding. The behavior of the ostrich emphasizes that God has designed each creature with specific characteristics and purposes, even if they may seem strange or unintelligible to humans.

In summary, Job 39:30 is part of God’s response to Job’s questioning, where He highlights the behavior of a particular creature, possibly the ostrich, as an example of His wisdom and order in the natural world. The verse underscores the unique characteristics and behavior of the ostrich, highlighting God’s sovereign design and knowledge, and reminding Job of the limitations of human understanding.