(12) Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn? (13) В¶ Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich? (14) Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust, (15) And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them. (16) She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear; (17) Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding. (18) What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.
From beasts, now the LORD sends Job for instruction to birds, and instanceth in the ostrich plume, and the peacock's wings and feathers, that how improvident soever these creatures are, yet their Maker's care of them never remits. In the carelessness of the ostrich, leaving her eggs in the sand, exposed to many dangers, and yet her race is preserved, how graciously doth the LORD teach, that his mercy and providence is called forth to make up all the deficiencies of the several creatures, which are what they are by his ordination and appointment. But is there not an higher lesson intended here. Are not sinners, like the unthinking ostrich, who leave their grand concerns, like the eggs of this bird in the sand, to peradventures, and live regardless of all consequences? Reader, how many, who are all alive to observe the folly of this bird, are yet foolish in a matter of infinitely higher moment, and neglect the one thing needful, the care of their immortal souls!