8 June Job 39
- Werner Jansen van rensburg
- Jun 8
- 3 min read
In Job 39, God continues His response, highlighting the majesty of creation. He describes various animals, including the wild donkey, the wild ox, the ostrich, and the horse, demonstrating His sovereign control over nature.
What can you learn from goats?
Job 39:1-4 (NIV) “Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn? Do you count the months till they bear? Do you know the time they give birth? They crouch down and bring forth their young; their labour pains are ended. Their young thrive and grow strong in the wilds; they leave and do not return.”
In this passage, God asks Job three profound questions that Job cannot answer, concerning the birthing practices of the mountain goats. These questions are intended to remind Job of the vast difference between divine wisdom and human understanding. Job, unable to explain the processes of nature, is confronted with the reality of God’s omniscient care and sovereignty over all creation, even in areas where humans have no influence or understanding.
Key Reflections:
God reveals that He is fully aware of the birth cycles of the mountain goats, even though these events occur far from human observation, in the wilderness. Job cannot grasp the timing or details of these births, but God knows every aspect of the process. The passage underscores God's intimate knowledge of all creation, showing that nothing escapes His attention.
God’s care extends beyond humanity to the animals in the wild. The mountain goats give birth and thrive in the wild, and God ensures their survival and growth. This teaches us that God is involved in the care and well-being of all creatures, which reassures us that if He provides for the animals, He will certainly care for us, His people. As Jesus reminded us in Matthew 6:26 (NIV): “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.”
The birth of mountain goats in the wild is a metaphor for God's presence in unseen or remote places. Even when we are unaware of it, God is actively working in every corner of creation, sustaining life in ways we cannot see or understand. Just as we trust that the birth and growth of animals happen according to God’s design in the wilderness, we must trust that God is working in our lives, even in those moments when we don't see His hand at work.
God’s questions to Job highlight human limitations. We often seek to understand the mysteries of life, but there are things beyond our comprehension. Like Job, we are reminded to trust in God’s wisdom and perfect control over life’s complexities. Even when we don’t understand why things happen as they do, we can have confidence in God’s sovereign plan.
The description of the young goats thriving, growing strong in the wild, and eventually leaving their mothers to live independently mirrors God's design for growth and maturation in all of life. Just as the young goats learn to live and thrive on their own in the wild, we too must grow, mature, and step into new phases of life, trusting God to guide us every step of the way.
In conclusion Job 39:1-4, God uses the birthing process of the mountain goats to teach Job (and us) about His intimate knowledge, sovereign control, and care over all creation. God’s wisdom far surpasses our understanding, and there are mysteries in life that only He fully knows. The passage encourages us to trust God, even when we don’t see or understand His actions, and to have confidence that He is working behind the scenes for our good. Just as God cares for the animals in the wild, how much more will He care for His people? We are reminded to humble ourselves and place our trust in His perfect wisdom and timing.