Have you ever spent time simply watching the birds like eagles or falcons just floating in the sky? If I was to have an aspiration to be an animal it would be one of them. Just like any other animal I know that they are really up there looking for food a lot of the time; and there are other things that they have to survive like being misunderstood. But by comparison with the honeyeaters that “lose” their wings while they are eating the eagle life seems a lot less energetic.
Of course my talking up the eagle is more than simple observation as a bird watcher. God’s Bible also spends a lot of time talking up the eagle. There are thirty references to the eagle with all but three being in the Old Testament, starting with
"Speak to the House of Jacob, tell the People of Israel: 'You have seen what I did to Egypt and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to me. If you will listen obediently to what I say and keep my covenant, out of all peoples you'll be my special treasure. The whole Earth is mine to choose from, but you're special: a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.' Exodus 19:3-5
They, then, are excluded from the Israeli menu by being called “unclean” along with other birds that eat from dead animals: then God is likened to the eagle in His care for Jacob in the desert. Not content with that the eagle then becomes an “army” of invaders in many of the prophets.
But this is not about the eagle. The eagle is merely a created image of the life I am advocating. Our Father wants us to totally rely on His provision and strength, just as He carried the people out of Egypt. He wants to be our strength and support as we go through our life.
Father is our life-giver through Jesus His Son who gave His life that we might live. This is the concept of the life that the eagle appears to live. He is able to soar high over the terrains of his life seeing both the good as well as the bad without being undone by it. This is the design of God for the eagle to be able to see food from on high, as well as threats, and respond accordingly. We are to live in this world but not be of the world much as the eagle glides on high.
The wind carries the eagle about supporting his weight under his wings. This is also an image of what Father has planned for us. Christ Jesus before He went back to Father promised us a new helper, One he called Advocate (Jn 15:26) and Spirit of Truth (Jn 16:13). This Spirit is the One who leads us into all truth and gives us the wisdom and words to use in any circumstance is named in the early Greek by the same word as the word for wind; that supports the eagle.
God’s desire for all of us is that we rely upon Him for our life and living. He wants us to be the subject of the world’s people so that we can show forth the life of His Son. It is easy to turn these words to mean that we can just sit back and be comfortable but, as with the eagle illustration the eagle must exert itself to reach the winds on which it can glide.
Father has given us the task of representing the Master to the tribes and peoples of the world including those in your street. Don’t worry though because Spirit of Truth is still helping us all as we minister to those yet to meet the Master.
No comments:
Post a Comment