Read & explore together
The LORD Speaks of His Creation
In Job 39, the LORD speaks by asking Job about animals people cannot fully watch, direct or understand. The chapter points to the limits of human control within God’s creation.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
This passage is part of the LORD’s speech in wisdom and dialogue. The speaker asks Job about the timing, habits, strength and movement of several creatures, staying focused on what they do and whether a person can manage them.
Job 39:1–30Main takeaway
Job 39 shows that many parts of creation lie beyond human command, calling for humility before the LORD.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Birth beyond human watchingThe LORD starts with mountain goats and does. Job is asked whether he knows their time of birth or counts the months.
02Wild creatures do not fit human workThe wild donkey belongs in wilderness and salt land, not under a driver’s shouting. The wild ox is strong, yet the LORD asks whether it will serve, stay by a trough, plough, or gather grain.
Explanation
The wild donkey belongs in wilderness and salt land, not under a driver’s shouting. The wild ox is strong, yet the LORD asks whether it will serve, stay by a trough, plough, or gather grain. These animals are not simply available for human purposes.
03The ostrich is not measured by usefulnessThe ostrich waves her wings proudly, yet leaves her eggs on the earth and is described as harsh with her young.
Explanation
The ostrich waves her wings proudly, yet leaves her eggs on the earth and is described as harsh with her young. The passage says God has not given her wisdom or understanding. Even so, when she lifts herself on high, she scorns the horse and his rider.
04Strength and flight come from beyond JobThe horse’s might, snorting and readiness for battle are set before Job with the question, “Have you given” these things?
Explanation
The horse’s might, snorting and readiness for battle are set before Job with the question, “Have you given” these things? Then the hawk’s soaring and the eagle’s high nesting place are linked to wisdom and command that do not belong to Job.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What pattern do you notice in the LORD’s questions to Job?
02Which details show animals acting outside human control?
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Job 39:1–30
1“Do you know the time when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe bears fawns?
2Can you count the months that they fulfill? Or do you know the time when they give birth?
3They bow themselves. They bear their young. They end their labor pains.
4Their young ones become strong. They grow up in the open field. They go out, and don’t return again.
5“Who has set the wild donkey free? Or who has loosened the bonds of the swift donkey,
6whose home I have made the wilderness, and the salt land his dwelling place?
7He scorns the tumult of the city, neither does he hear the shouting of the driver.
8The range of the mountains is his pasture. He searches after every green thing.
9“Will the wild ox be content to serve you? Or will he stay by your feeding trough?
10Can you hold the wild ox in the furrow with his harness? Or will he till the valleys after you?
11Will you trust him, because his strength is great? Or will you leave to him your labor?
12Will you confide in him, that he will bring home your seed, and gather the grain of your threshing floor?
13“The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, but are they the feathers and plumage of love?
14For she leaves her eggs on the earth, warms them in the dust,
15and forgets that the foot may crush them, or that the wild animal may trample them.
16She deals harshly with her young ones, as if they were not hers. Though her labor is in vain, she is without fear,
17because God has deprived her of wisdom, neither has he imparted to her understanding.
18When she lifts up herself on high, she scorns the horse and his rider.
19“Have you given the horse might? Have you clothed his neck with a quivering mane?
20Have you made him to leap as a locust? The glory of his snorting is awesome.
21He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength. He goes out to meet the armed men.
22He mocks at fear, and is not dismayed, neither does he turn back from the sword.
23The quiver rattles against him, the flashing spear and the javelin.
24He eats up the ground with fierceness and rage, neither does he stand still at the sound of the trumpet.
25As often as the trumpet sounds he snorts, ‘Aha!’ He smells the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
26“Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars, and stretches her wings toward the south?
27Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up, and makes his nest on high?
28On the cliff he dwells and makes his home, on the point of the cliff and the stronghold.
29From there he spies out the prey. His eyes see it afar off.
30His young ones also suck up blood. Where the slain are, there he is.”