God mentions five beasts here:
- “Do you know when mountain goats gift birth? Have you watched the deer in labor?” (Job 39:1)
- “Who set the wild donkey free?” (Job 39:5)
- “Would the wild ox be willing to serve you?” (Job 39:9)
- “The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, but are her feathers and plumage like the stork’s?” (Job 39:13)
- “Do you give strength to the horse?” (Job 39:19)
- “Does the hawk take flight by your understanding and spread its wings to the south?” (Job 39:26)
God is challenging Job to look around, to look at nature, to look at the way things are done. Can Job duplicate the mighty power, creation, and mystery found in the animal kingdom? Not at all. No man can do the things like God has done.
It makes me think of where we are as a world. In the past pre-electricity and more agrarian, time was spent looking to the stars at night and tending the animals by day. There was a connectedness to this life. A child knew where their chicken dinner came from. They probably raised it.
But more and more we are looking not even at each other, but at our cell phone, tablets, computers and more. We can bank, grocery shop, get gas and do most everything without interacting with another human. This disconnect with nature and disconnect with each other means disconnect with the world that we live in. It takes us away from the mysteries of the universe and keeps our minds on ourselves, us, our selfies.
When was the last time you looked at the stars and constellations for more than 1 minute?
When was the last time you pondered the mystery of a bird in the air?
When was the last time you connected with your neighbors in a meaningful way?
We’re all living in greater and greater disconnect, myself included. The pandemic hasn’t helped.
What God is saying to Job is look around and ponder the mysteries of my greatness. Get perspective on these things and you will gain perspective in your problems. He is Almighty God and we are far from it. When we ponder the wonders of creation, we often remember his greatness.
Come, let us ponder together.
