Yes, seems like Job chapter 39 is dedicated to God’s animal creation!
And what amazing diversity exists in this seemingly inexhaustible area!
Here’s the list …
Deer (the “hinds” in the King James Version) and “goats,” verses 1-4. Especially noted is the way these creatures give birth, their gestation periods! Creation reproducing itself! By the way, if unborn animals are of concern to God, what about little unborn babies? Jesus, here being quoted from Matthew 6:26 … “Are ye (humans) not much better than they (the animals)?”
The “wild ass” is next, verses 5-8. The donkey, maybe. And his love of solitude, his lack of domestication! A celebration of the animal’s “freedom,” really! (And some theologians, a growing number in fact, deny all mankind the same freedom!)
Next is the “unicorn,” an animal not totally mythic, not make-believe. See Job 39, verses 9-12. Most modern versions of Scripture have demoted this animal to “ox” status! Some have him being a “buffalo,” and one a “rhinoceros!” But, truly, what is the “unicorn?” This once mighty beast is now, apparently, extinct! Many animals are, due to the devastating effect of the world-wide Flood in Noah’s day, God’s (sure) judgment on sin. Modern evolutionary biology and zoology deny that such a Flood ever occurred, so they have to come up with “new” ways to explain such extinctions! Thousands of them!
Then God references two birds, the “peacock” and “ostrich.” (This list absolutely amazes me! Almighty God captivated by His Own Handiwork!) Verses 13-17, where (obviously a continual pattern now) all these animals are framed with numerous divine questions!
God may be asking: “JOB, IF I CAN CREATE AND GOVERN THE VAST ANIMAL WORLD, INCLUDING THE WILD BEASTS … CAN I NOT CARE FOR YOU? AND TAME YOUR EMEMIES, OR EVEN MAKE THEM EXTINCT?”
Verses 18-25 (the longest paragraph in the whole chapter, Job 39) presents to us the wondrous “horse.” Not just any one, however, the deadly “war horse” of antiquity. Hint … the animal’s fierce determination, unconquerable drive, spirit of battle and assurance of victory are here celebrated! (I personally believe God gave such detail here because the spirit of this animal, it’s desire to prevail in battle, is a symbol of Job in his amazing faith, tenacity!) And if so, WOW!
Job really IS one of the greatest literary works of all time, folks.
Then the chapter concludes with two more birds, creatures of the air. The “hawk” and the “eagle,” birds of prey in each case. Not birds often considered “victims,” but “victors.” Is God still (in a hidden, deep Message sort of way) saying something to Job, maybe just to Job?
Something like, VICTORY IS ON THE WAY, dear suffering servant!
Having written this today (Monday October 3, 2016) I yearn to preach these animals (all of them) some day, and try to thus magnify the Ineffable God Who made them!
Like the old song says, “I STAND AMAZED!”
— Dr. Mike Bagwell