CHILDREN AND BIRD-LIFE

The interest, full of divine care, that God takes in His feathered creation is seen, for example, in the law as to a nest "with young or with eggs". Whether the nest should be in a tree or as some birds build them, on the ground, the mother-bird must not in any way be taken. The writer of one of the Psalms, longing at that time for the satisfaction of the living God's presence, rather envied the security and restfulness of the sparrows and the swallows. In the case of sparrows, Jesus referred to both the retail price and the wholesale price, which was of course relatively lower. Although they were so common and cheap the Master's teaching was that one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father". He used a word meaning 'little sparrows' - how much more will He care for us! Another bird that is mentioned different connections in the Scriptures is the stork. For one thing, like the turtle-dove and the crane, it knows its appointed time of migration to Palestine. In contrast to this, God's people Israel had not the movement of heart towards Him which they should have had - but how responsive are we? The stork builds its nest high up in the sturdy fir trees and is a bird said to be remarkable for its tender care of the young and also of the aged! Also, in speaking to Job out of the whirlwind, God spoke of the pinion, or flight-wing, and the plumage of the stork.

It is very touching that Mary, the mother of Jesus, brought for herself to the temple two turtle-doves or two young pigeons, as required by the law of Moses. This was the provision for extreme poverty, whereas some mothers could afford to bring a sheep as a sacrifice. In the words of another, 'Things in Israel were in such disorder that the mother of the heir to David's throne was able to bring only two little birds; it was in such circumstances that God brought His supreme grace into the world'. Have you thanked Him for Jesus?

J.C.Evershed