Job 39:17

_BECAUSE GOD HATH DEPRIVED HER OF WISDOM, NEITHER HATH HE IMPARTED TO HER UNDERSTANDING._ Wisdom - such as God gives to other animals, and to man (Job 35:11). The Arab proverb is, 'Foolish as an ostrich.' Yet her very seeming want of wisdom is not without wise design of God, though man cannot see it: just as in the trials of the godly, which seem so unreasonable to Job, there lies hid a wise design....

Verse Job 39:17. _GOD HATH DEPRIVED HER OF WISDOM_] Of this foolishness we have an account from the ancients; and here follow two instances: "1. It covers its head in the reeds, and thinks itself all out of sight because itself cannot see. So _Claudian_: - ____________ 'Stat lumine clauso Ridendum revoluta caput: creditque latere Quad non ipsa videt.' "2. They who hunt them draw the skin of an ostrich's neck on one hand, which proves a sufficient lure to take them with the other. They have so little brain that Heliogabalus had _six hundred_ heads for his supper. Here we may observe, that our judicious as well as sublime author just touches the great points of distinction in each creature, and then

BECAUSE GOD HATH DEPRIVED HER OF WISDOM ... - That is, he has not imparted to her the wisdom which has been conferred on other animals. The meaning is, that all this remarkable arrangement, which distinguished the ostrich so much from other animals was to be traced to God. It was not the result of chance; it could not be pretended that it was by a human arrangement, but it was the result of divine appointment. Even in this apparent destitution of wisdom, there were reasons which had led to this appointment, and the care and good providence of God could be seen in the preservation of the animal. Particularly, though apparently so weak, and timid, and unwise, the ostrich had a noble hearing Job 39:18, and when aroused, would scorn the fleetest horse in the pursuit, and show that she was distinguished for properties that were expressive of the goodness of God toward her,

EXPOSITION JOB 39:1 This chapter completes the survey of animate nature begun at Job 38:39. The habits and instincts of the wild goat, the wild ass, and wild cattle are first noticed (Job 38:1); then a transition is made to the most remarkable of birds, the ostrich (Job 38:13). Next, the horse is described, and, as it were, depicted, in a passage of extraordinary fire and brilliancy (Job 38:19-18). Finally, a return is made to remarkable birds, and the habits of the hawk and eagle obtain mention ...

BECAUSE GOD HATH DEPRIVED HER OF WISDOM,.... Or "made her to forget" d what she had; an instance of her forgetfulness is mentioned Job 39:15; and so Leo Africanus e says of it, that it is of a very short memory, and presently forgets the place where its eggs are laid; NEITHER HATH HE IMPARTED TO HER UNDERSTANDING; many instances are given of its stupidity by historians, as that it will take anything that is offered to it to eat, stones, iron, c. f that it will thrust its head and neck into a thicket, fancying: it is hid and covered, and that none can see it; which Pliny g remarks as an instance of its foolishness; though Diodorus Siculus h takes this to be a point of prudence, for the preservation of those parts of it which are weakest. Strabo gives i another instance of its stupidity, its being so easily deceived by sportsmen, who, by putting the skin of an ostric

CHAPTER S 38:39--39:30 _ 1. The beasts of prey (Job 38:39)_ 2. The wild goats, the ass, the unicorn and the ostrich (Job 39:1) 3. The horse, the hawk and the eagle (Job 39:19) Job 38:39. God's own wisdom and power in nature, as witnessed to by Himself, is followed by His witness as to the sustenance of His creatures, how mercifully He provides for their need. This section begins with the query, “Knowest thou?” Could he hunt the prey of the lion, or fill the ravenous appetite of their young? God considers the young, even so unclean a bird as the raven has its food provided by God. Wonderful it is to read that the young rave

Job 38:39 Ch. Job 39:30. The manifoldness of the Divine Mind as displayed in the world of animal life The instances chosen are the lion and the raven (Job 38:39); the wild goats and the hinds (ch. Job 39:1-4); the wild ass (Job 38:5; the wild ox (Job 38:9); the ostrich (Job 38:13); the war horse (Job 38:19); the hawk and the eagle ...

GOODLY WINGS UNTO THE PEACOCKS— Bochart seems to have proved, beyond all dispute, that the word rendered _peacocks_ signifies _ostriches;_ and the following description entirely agrees with that opinion. Mr. Heath renders the verse, _The wing of the ostrich is triumphantly expanded, though the strong pinion be the portion of the stork and the falcon;_ Job 39:14 _though she leaves her eggs,_ &c. Dr. Shaw renders the verse _The wing of the ostrich is quivering_ or _expanded, the very feathers and plumage of the stork;_ and he observes, that the _warming_ of the eggs in the _dust_ or _sand,_ is by incubation; and that the beginning of the 14th verse might be more properly rendered, _When she raiseth herself up to run away,_ namely, from her pursuers. In commenting on these verses, it may be observed, says the Doctor, that when the _ostrich_ i

2. And of the animal world (Job 39:1, Job 40:2) TEXT 39:1-30 to Job 40:2 39 KNOWEST THOU THE TIME WHEN THE WILD GOATS OF THE ROCK BRING FORTH? _Or_ canst thou mark when the hinds do calve? 2 Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? Or knowest thou the time when they bring forth? 3 They bow themselves, they bring forth their young, They cast out their pains. 4 Then- young ones become strong, they grow up in the open field; They go forth and return not again. 5 Who hath sent out the wild ass free? Or who hath loosed the bonds of the swift ass, 6 Whose home I have made the wilderness, And the salt land his dwelling place? 7 He scorneth the tumult of the

39:17 wisdom, (d-7) Lit. 'for God hath made her forget wisdom.'...