Job 39:2

_CANST THOU NUMBER THE MONTHS THAT THEY FULFIL? OR KNOWEST THOU THE TIME WHEN THEY BRING FORTH?_ They bring forth with ease, and do not need to reckon the months of pregnancy, as the shepherd does in the case of his flocks....

CANST THOU NUMBER THE MONTHS ... - That is, as they wander in the wilderness, as they live in inaccessible crags and cliffs of the rocks, it is impossible for man to be acquainted with their habits as he can with those of the domestic animals....

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 ...

CANST THOU NUMBER THE MONTHS [THAT] THEY FULFIL?.... Which some understand both of wild goats and hinds. Common goats fulfil five months, they conceive in November, and bring forth in March, as Pliny f observes; but how many the wild goats of the rock fulfil is not said by him or any other I know of: the same writer says g of hinds, that they go eight months; OR KNOWEST THOU THE TIME WHEN THEY BRING FORTH? naturalists h tell us, that the hinds conceive after the rise of the star Arcturus, which rises eleven days before the autumnal equinox; so that they conceive in September; and as they go eight months, they bring forth in April; but then the exact time to a day and hour is not known. Besides, who has fixed the time for their bringing forth, and carries them in it through so many dangers and difficulties? None but the Lord himself. Now if such common things in nature were not known per...

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 39:1-4. The goats of the rock and the hinds....

CANST THOU NUMBER THE MONTHS, &C.— The meaning of these questions is, "Knowest thou the time and circumstances of their bringing forth?" For, to know the time only was easy, and had nothing in it extraordinary; but the circumstances had something peculiarly expressive of God's providence, which makes the question proper in this place. Pliny observes, that the hind with young is by instinct directed to a certain herb called _seselis,_ which facilitates the birth. Thunder also, which looks like the more immediate hand of Providence, has the same effect. Dr. Young....

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

THE FIRST SPEECH OF THE ALMIGHTY (CONCLUDED) Chs. Job 38:39 and Job 38:39 depict the wonders of animate creation, and the instincts with which animals are gifted by the providence of God. In view of His works Job must learn to trust Him and to believe in His goodness. 1-4. The wild goat or ibex....

Wild goats are shy animals. They live in the mountains. They stay far away from people. The young goats are not loyal to their mothers. When the young goats are old enough, they leave their mothers. And they do not return....