Editorial September 3, 1979 Issue

"Behold the fowls of the air"

NAOMI PRICE

If we have a journey to make that is really necessary, and we are frustrated by an oil shortage, a strike, a snowstorm, or some other transportation blockage, we may wistfully quote the Psalmist: "Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest."^{Ps. 55:6;} And if the inspired message behind these words is understood, and the purpose of our journey is truly God-directed, we will find ourselves overcoming human frustrations and easily accomplishing whatever we have to do, despite human arguments to the contrary.

The Bible has much to teach us about ourselves and our capacities as God's offspring. Many of its lessons are taught through symbols taken from nature. The ancient people lived close to nature. They observed its phenomena and identified the useful qualities of the trees and herbs, the strength and mobility of the animals, the upward-soaring dominion of the fowls of the air. They noted, too, how the birds use their wings to help support and to shelter their young as well as to travel freely.

Inevitably, the God-centered thought of the Hebrews related these qualities of beauty and usefulness, found in nature, to God and His ultimate creation, man. Of the liberating action that carried the children of Israel out of Egypt to receive the Ten Commandments, the Lord declares in Exodus, "Ye have seen ... how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself."^{Ex. 19:4;} And the royal quality of Saul and Jonathan stands out in David's description of them: "They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions."^{II Sam. 1:23;}