Job 39:2

Can you count the months they are pregnant? Do you know the time they give birth?

Study Bible

Can you count the months they are pregnant?
This phrase highlights God's omniscience and the limitations of human understanding. In the context of Job, God is questioning Job to demonstrate His own wisdom and power over creation. The reference to counting months of pregnancy points to the natural order established by God, which humans cannot fully comprehend or control. In ancient times, the gestation period of animals was not precisely known, emphasizing the mystery of God's creation. This can be connected to Psalm 139:13-16, where God's intimate knowledge of creation is celebrated. The rhetorical question underscores the theme of divine wisdom versus human ignorance.

Do you know the time they give birth?
This phrase continues the theme of God's sovereignty over the natural world. The timing of birth is another aspect of creation that is beyond human control, illustrating God's meticulous care and planning. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, understanding and predicting animal behavior was crucial for survival, yet it remained largely unpredictable, reinforcing the idea of divine providence. This can be linked to Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, which speaks of a time for every purpose under heaven, including birth. The unpredictability of birth times serves as a metaphor for the unpredictability of life and God's ultimate authority over it.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Job
A man of great faith and patience, who undergoes severe trials and questions God's purposes.

2. God
The Creator, who speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, challenging Job's understanding of the natural world.

3. Wild Animals
The context of Job 39 includes God's discourse on the natural world, specifically the birth and life cycles of wild animals, demonstrating His sovereignty and wisdom.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty in Creation
God is intimately aware of the details of His creation, including the life cycles of animals. This reminds us of His ultimate control and knowledge over all aspects of life.

Human Limitations
The rhetorical questions posed to Job highlight human limitations in understanding and controlling the natural world, encouraging humility before God.

Trust in God's Wisdom
Just as God knows the time of birth for wild animals, He knows the details of our lives. We can trust His timing and wisdom in our circumstances.

The Value of Creation
God's attention to the details of animal life underscores the value He places on all creation, encouraging us to respect and care for the environment.

Faith in Unseen Processes
Many processes in life, like the gestation of animals, occur unseen. This teaches us to have faith in God's unseen work in our lives.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does understanding God's knowledge of the natural world affect your view of His involvement in your personal life?

2. In what ways can recognizing human limitations lead to a deeper trust in God?

3. How can the themes in Job 39:2 encourage you to respect and care for the environment?

4. What are some areas in your life where you need to trust God's timing and wisdom, as illustrated by His care for the animals?

5. How can you apply the lesson of faith in unseen processes to your current life situation, drawing from the example of animal gestation in Job 39:2?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Psalm 104
This Psalm praises God for His creation and providence, similar to God's discourse in Job 39, highlighting His care for all creatures.

Matthew 6:26
Jesus speaks about God's provision for the birds, emphasizing trust in God's care, akin to the message in Job 39 about God's knowledge and control over creation.

Isaiah 40:26
This verse speaks of God's power and wisdom in creation, paralleling the themes in Job 39 of God's intimate knowledge of the natural world.