Topical Bible: The Ostrich: Void of Wisdom

◄ The Ostrich: Void of Wisdom ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The ostrich, a large flightless bird native to Africa, is mentioned in the Bible as a creature lacking wisdom and understanding. This depiction is primarily found in the book of Job, where the characteristics of the ostrich are used to illustrate the limitations of human wisdom compared to God's infinite understanding.

Biblical References:

1. Job 39:13-18 : In this passage, God speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, highlighting the peculiar behavior of the ostrich. The text describes the ostrich as a bird that "flaps her wings joyfully, but they cannot compare with the pinions and feathers of the stork." The ostrich is portrayed as neglectful, laying her eggs on the ground and forgetting that a foot may crush them. The passage continues, "For God has deprived her of wisdom; He has not endowed her with understanding." Despite her lack of wisdom, the ostrich is noted for her speed, as "when she runs, she laughs at horse and rider."

2. Lamentations 4:3 : Here, the ostrich is used metaphorically to describe the cruelty of the people of Jerusalem during the siege. The verse states, "Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but the daughter of my people has become cruel, like ostriches in the wilderness." This comparison suggests a lack of maternal instinct and care, aligning with the depiction in Job.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In the biblical context, the ostrich serves as a symbol of folly and neglect. The creature's behavior is used to contrast human limitations with divine wisdom. The ostrich's apparent lack of concern for her offspring and her inability to fly, despite having wings, underscore the theme of inadequacy in human understanding when compared to God's perfect knowledge.

The mention of the ostrich in Job is part of a larger discourse where God challenges Job's understanding of the natural world. By highlighting the ostrich's peculiar traits, God emphasizes that His creation operates under divine wisdom that surpasses human comprehension. The ostrich, therefore, becomes a tool to illustrate the broader theme of humility before God's omniscience.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern culture, the ostrich was known for its speed and size, making it a notable creature in the region. Its presence in the wilderness and its distinctive behavior would have been familiar to the original audience of the biblical texts. The ostrich's reputation for neglecting its eggs and young likely contributed to its symbolic use in Scripture as an example of foolishness and lack of care.

Theological Implications:

The portrayal of the ostrich in the Bible serves as a reminder of the limitations of human wisdom and the need for reliance on God's guidance. It underscores the importance of humility and the recognition that God's ways and thoughts are higher than our own (Isaiah 55:8-9). The ostrich, in its folly, points to the greater wisdom of the Creator, who governs all creation with perfect understanding and purpose.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 39:17
Because God has deprived her of wisdom, neither has he imparted to her understanding.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... storks, eagle's gall, hawk's blood, the ostrich, frogs, chameleons ... Further, we cannot
devote ourselves to wisdom if our ... God which is made null and void by strife ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
... Bethlehem, the poor carpenter's son, who, notwithstanding his miracles of wisdom,
power, and ... of seat and throne of any strength to make this supposition void. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the saints privilege and profit.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... himself. But such exhortations did not stand with the wisdom of an apostle.
Wherefore ... men. (James 2:20) That is, men void of grace. And ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... and what relation exists between the firm, resisting body, and that void and
unsubstantial ... of sense is this:"that He Who made all things in wisdom can alone ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... The walls were entirely void of any cedar woodwork inlaid with gold, or panels of
mosaic such as we find in the temples, nor were they hung with dyed or ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm