There are over 9000 known species of birds in the world, making up many millions that are active every day. In springtime millions of birds’ eggs are in nests throughout the world in a great variety of sizes, shapes, colors and markings. The smallest (some no larger than a pea) are those of a hummingbird, and the largest are those of an ostrich, 24 times as large as a chicken’s egg.
Each part of an egg is important. The yolk is surrounded by a substance called albumen, and the shell holds it all together. The yolk provides food for the almost-invisible cell that will eventually become a bird, and albumen (the white part in a hard-boiled egg) provides moisture. But food and moisture would do no good if the developing bird couldn’t get oxygen or get rid of the deadly carbon dioxide given off with every breath. Calcium is also needful so strong bones can form.
How can all of this take place when the new life is completely surrounded by the shell? The Creator has wisely designed the shell with tiny holes (pores) that can only be seen with a microscope, but which allow air to enter and carbon dioxide to leave. The shell also gives off part of its own calcium for the calcium needs of its tiny resident. An extra supply of air is also stored in a separate area at the end where the chick’s head will form and, by using its special “egg tooth,” will break out of the shell. This takes lots of energy, and without the extra air supply the little chick would never make it. So you see, an egg is really a far more wonderful plan of the Creator than we can fully understand.
The body of the mother or father bird sitting over the eggs gives just the right amount of warmth to help the little bird to develop. While sitting on the nest, a God-given instinct tells the parent to turn each egg over from time to time so that the yolk stays in the center and all parts get their share of heat.
Scientists can examine eggs and the way in which so many different varieties are formed but cannot understand how this all came about, unless they acknowledge that it was the Lord God who created and now preserves them. God’s Word, the Bible, tells us: “God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty . . . that no flesh [person] should glory in His presence. But of Him are ye [Christians] in Christ Jesus . . . that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:27-3127But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:27‑31)). Do you acknowledge your Creator?
(to be continued)
ML-04/12/1998