Job 39:14-24

14 Ostriches lay their eggs on the ground. They let them get warm in the sand.

15 They do not know that something might step on them. A wild animal might walk all over them.

16 Ostriches are mean to their little ones. They treat them as if they did not belong to them. They do not care that their work was useless.

17 I did not provide ostriches with wisdom. I did not give them good sense.

18 But when they spread their feathers to run, they laugh at a horse and its rider.

19 "Job, do you give horses their strength? Do you put flowing manes on their necks?

20 Do you make them jump like locusts? They terrify others with their proud snorting.

21 They paw the ground wildly. They are filled with joy. They charge at their enemies.

22 They laugh at fear. They are not afraid of anything. They do not run away from swords.

23 Many arrows rattle at their sides. Flashing spears and javelins are also there.

24 They are so stirred up that they eat up the ground. They can't stand still when trumpets are blown.

Job 39:14-24 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 39

This chapter treats of various creatures, beasts and birds, which Job had little knowledge of, had no concern in the making of them, and scarcely any power over them; as of the goats and hinds, Job 39:1-4; of the wild ass, Job 39:5-8; of the unicorn, Job 39:9-12; of the peacock and ostrich, Job 39:13-18; of the horse, Job 39:19-25; and of the hawk and eagle, Job 39:26-30.