March 4, 2010

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 31, 32, 33; Psalm 4, 34, 64, 94, 124; Proverbs 4

Deuteronomy 32:11-12, "As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him."

Many of you know that a favorite topic of mine is right here in our verse for today. I am fascinated by eagles. We are told that this passage is taken from a song that God told Moses to write for the Israelites in Deuteronomy 31:19, "Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel."

The song was to remind them of where they came from and what happens when they would forsake God. He also reminds them that if they turn from their sin, to Him that He would restore them.

In verses 11 and 12 we see some powerful illustrations. Notice "As an eagle stirreth up her nest,". When the baby eagle begins to grow and venture out away from the nest their parents will begin to take away the hide lining of the nest and throw it away. Then the baby gets back and things have changed. It is not as comfortable as it once was. This causes the baby to venture out away from the nest eventually.

Now that the baby is leaving the nest the mother will begin to teach the baby to fly. Notice, "fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:". The mother will put the baby on her back and take off from the rock. She will eventually fly straight up and then do a barrel roll and knock the baby off her back. As the baby is falling the mother is flying just above him and is yelling to him to stretch out his wings and fly. This process goes on and on until the baby realizes that his mother is doing it and he can too.

This is a picture of God's dealing with His children. One thing I did not mention about this training time is that during this time the father is flying in circles above and keeping watch over what is going on. Also the baby eagle while falling does not realize that their parents can fly faster than he can fall.

I hope that you and I will remember the example of the eagle and how God lovingly deals with His children. Isaiah 40:31, "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Stretch out your wings and fly!