‘LOOK AT THE BIRDS OF THE AIR …’ (Matthew 6:26).
My parents have recently acquired a bird feeder for their back garden. These are full of seed, and hang from their apple tree. Now that they no longer have a cat, it is fascinating to notice the increase in feathered friend visitors to their back garden, which can be viewed through the kitchen window. Did you know that birds feature right through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation?
Divine Creation
On the fifth day of creation, Genesis 1:20 records that ‘God said … let birds fly above the earth across the firmament of the heavens.’ And God’s word brought about His will. He created the birds of the sky, designing them in such a way that they could fly. Creation is one of the foundation stones of the biblical revelation. The Bible teaches intelligent design, that is, Almighty God’s infinite intelligence is the only ultimate explanation behind the intricacy of the created order, of both animate and inanimate objects.
The Divine Flood
In Genesis 8:11 we read of the dove. This dove was sent forth from Noah’s ark after the flood, and returned to it with ‘a freshly plucked olive leaf’ in its mouth. Ever since then, the dove and olive leaf have been viewed as a symbol of peace.
God judged the world with a universal flood. But now His judgement was over. The olive leaf showed that a new beginning had begun. Romans 5:1 says that ‘Therefore since we are justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ On the cross, Jesus was judged by God in the place of sinners. He exhausted the divine wrath against sin which was their due. Hence when we put our faith in Jesus, we are delivered from judgement and have peace with God. Colossians 1:20 tells of Christ’s ‘making peace by the blood of His cross.’
Divine Providence
Moving to the time of Elijah the prophet, we notice that when Elijah was away from civilisation with no physical means of support, some ‘ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening’ (1 Kings 17:6). God had said ‘I have commanded the ravens to feed you’ (1 Kings 17:4) and the ravens obeyed His word. Elijah was therefore provided for miraculously – the ravens fed him. This is remarkable as Leviticus 17:15 tells us that the raven was an unclean bird …
Elijah’s being provided for through the instrumentality of ravens reminds us that God provides for His own children. He provides for us through natural means, or, if He sees fit, He can provide through supernatural means, as He did for Elijah. He is in charge of the great planets, and He is in charge of the birds of the air. He can use any means He wishes to accomplish His will. The Shorter Catechism states ‘God’s works of providence are His most holy, wise and powerful preserving and governing all His creatures and all their actions’ (Q. 11). Hence, in Elijah’s day, the ravens did His bidding.
Divine Care
When we turn to the New Testament, we see that the Lord Jesus used sparrows to illustrate God’s care for His children. In Mathew 10:29 ff. He said ‘Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s will. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.’
God’s eye is on the sparrow. All His creatures are the object of His care and concern. But Jesus said of us ‘You are of more value than many sparrows.’ He was reasoning from the lesser to the greater. If the birds of the air are objects of God’s providential care, what of God’s own children? Unlike the animal kingdom, they are made in His image, able to know and love God. And unlike the animal kingdom, God sent His own Son to redeem them. Christ’s redeeming work has adopted His redeemed into the family of God. They are able to call God ‘Abba, Father.’ This Father cares for His children and loves them with an everlasting love. It is unthinkable that He will not undertake for their earthly and eternal well-being. ‘He cares about you’ (1 Peter 5:7). A tongue in cheek ditty brings this out well:-
Said the robin to the sparrow
‘I should really like to know
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so.’
Said the sparrow to the robin
‘Friend, I think that it must be
They have no heavenly Father
Such as cares for you and me.’
Finally
Finally and formidably, when we turn to the last book of the Bible, Revelation 19 takes us to the final battle at the end of time. Here, God will overthrow all His enemies and all that is contrary to His kingdom of righteousness and peace. His enemies will be slain by the sword, and Revelation 19:21 tells us that the birds of the air will gorge on their dead flesh. It is horrific reading, and makes Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds seem quite tame. The biblical reality is though that God’s patience has a time limit. One day, He will right all wrongs. One day, He will condemn all unrepentant sinners to eternal judgment. It is this which gives the Gospel its imperative. How vital it is that we know Christ as our Saviour. He alone can deliver us from the condemnation we deserve. Scripture assures us ‘There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus’ (Romans 8:1).
Timothy Cross
