You don’t have to be an avid student of the classic Roger Tory Peterson’s Bird Field Guide to know a little about eagles. The very mention of an eagle conjures up images of size, strength, swiftness and watchfulness. A sparrow probably thinks an eagle is a giant.
When God wanted to convey a vivid image of His care and support for the children of Israel, He used the metaphor of a mighty eagle. They would get the picture quickly. Do you think His care and support and might is any less today for His blood-bought people than it was back in Moses’ day?
After years of bondage and hardship, the Lord initiated a series of powerful interventions in Egypt, culminating in the death of the firstborn, the Passover, the Exodus and the crossing of the Red Sea.
And now, in Exodus 19, we find them at the base of Mount Sinai. They’re on the very threshold of a new beginning. God was about to enter into a covenant of law with them as His special people. Did they know they were making history as they camped near the Mountain?
On this particular day, Moses went mountain climbing. He drew near to the Lord, and then God spoke to him from the Mountain, giving him what he was to say to the children of Israel: Here is what God told Moses:
You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. ‘Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.” Exodus 19:4-6
What could be bigger and stronger, and swifter and safer than eagles’ wings? And where were they brought? God told them, “I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.” If ever there was an image that should have instilled confidence in the people regarding God’s care and strength, it should have been the eagle.
Eagles are known for ‘caringly’ taking their young out of the comfort and protection of their nest and teaching them to fly. Then, they use their mighty wings to catch or even carry their young should they encounter trouble-in-flight. What a beautiful metaphor for our caring and trustworthy Lord Himself. Maybe you’re experiencing trouble-in-flight as a Christian.
Many years later, Moses composed a song and employed the eagle metaphor once again to describe God’s might, power, and attendant care for His people. Moses personifies the nation by calling it Jacob, and he used the singular third-person pronoun – ‘him’ to refer to God’s people.
One stanza in that song starts with “The Lord’s portion is His people…. (that’s amazing itself), but then Moses continues with his lyrics:
He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness; He encircled him, He cared for him, He kept him as the apple of His eye. Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions, the LORD alone guided him.” Deuteronomy 32:9-12
Dear child of God, like an eaglet in a nest, you have a Heavenly Father who knows what’s best for you. The adult eagle knows when to disturb the nest to teach the eaglets to fly and hunt/feed themselves. But all is done under a set of keen and watchful eyes. He knows when to let you experience the wind currents and air pockets, and He will always be above and underneath – with all His strength to catch you should you begin to doubt, falter, fall or lose altitude.
He also knows when He needs to carry you on His strong pinions. His purposes are always to ‘bring you to Himself.’ Isn’t that an incredible thought – an awesome reality?! That’s what Exodus 19:4 says. I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself.
Check out quick English Idiom Video “Don’t Beat Around the Bush” from Heaven4sure.com
Can you imagine any better place to be than to be brought to the Lord Himself? What a location!
How can we close a discussion on the eagle without mentioning Isaiah 40:31? It seems in this section of the Bible, we learn that we’ll be given our own eagle-like wings to be uplifted and soar emotionally and spiritually in difficult times if only we focus on the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Our strength will be renewed.
Remember: I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. But what about the sparrows mentioned in the title?
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