Editorial: Learning From the Birds

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 8
Israel at present has one problem that is not as prominent as many others. This problem is not exclusive to Israel. It is encountered wherever airplanes fly. Because of Israel's peculiar central position, at the heart of three continents, the migratory paths of more birds pass over Israel than over any other country on earth.
An Israeli pilot today faces greater danger of being hit by a migrating pelican than he does from the fire of man-made guns. The estimate of planes lost to birds in recent years is greater than the losses from the combined forces of their Arab neighbors.
In the autumn months the migration increases as the birds head for a warmer climate. Each spring and fall about a half-billion birds fly that route. In their research, men have learned that birds follow a very specific flight plan, and at particular altitudes. Men cannot ban the bird flights, so they try to avoid or ban their own planes from these migratory paths at certain times.
The Lord sought to reach Job's heart by asking questions. In Job 39:2626Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south? (Job 39:26) it says, "both the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?" When we consider the yearly migration of such a vast number of birds, we are certainly amazed. It includes hummingbirds and also very large eagles. Why do they go south for winter and come north for summer? How do they know when to go and when to return? How do these birds all find their way and accurately reach their destination and at the same time from year to year?
The Lord asks in Job 38:36,36Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart? (Job 38:36) "Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts?" Does such a thing apply to the tiny hummingbird? Surely it does apply and explains what men cannot. As to the question, "How do birds find their way?" one writer admits that no one can really answer this puzzling question.
How very wonderful to know the Creator who has put wisdom in the inward parts. To know the Creator and to know Him as redeemer is greater than to know all of His creation. If you and I better understand the power and goodness of our Savior God, we can gladly do what Peter exhorts in 1 Peter 4:19,19Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. (1 Peter 4:19) "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”
Another thing we can learn from birds is taught in Psalm 84:33Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God. (Psalm 84:3). "Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even Thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God." There we see that the least valuable bird, the sparrow, and the most restless bird, the swallow, find a home and a place for their young at the place of worship of the Lord of hosts. Today we have two refuges for ourselves and our children. They are the Christian home and the assembly where the Lord has placed His name. Ed.