Definition and Context:
Nesting refers to the behavior of birds and other creatures in creating a place of habitation, safety, and nurturing for their offspring. In the Bible, nesting is often used metaphorically to describe God's care and provision for His people, as well as the natural order established by God in creation.

Biblical References:

1. God's Care and Provision:
The imagery of nesting is used to illustrate God's protective and nurturing nature. In Deuteronomy 32:11, God is likened to an eagle that "stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft." This verse highlights God's attentive care and guidance for Israel, His chosen people.

2. Wisdom and Security:
Proverbs 27:8 states, "Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home." This proverb underscores the importance of stability and the dangers of abandoning one's place of security and responsibility. The nest symbolizes a place of belonging and safety, reflecting the wisdom of remaining within the boundaries set by God.

3. God's Sovereignty in Creation:
In Job 39:27-28, God questions Job about the eagle, saying, "Does the eagle soar at your command and make its nest on high? It dwells on a cliff and stays there at night; a rocky crag is its stronghold." This passage emphasizes God's sovereignty over creation, as He alone has established the natural instincts and habitats of creatures.

4. Metaphor for Human Life:
Psalm 84:3 mentions, "Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar, O LORD of Hosts, my King and my God." Here, the psalmist uses the image of birds nesting near God's altar to express a deep longing for closeness to God and the security found in His presence.

5. Warnings Against False Security:
In Jeremiah 49:16, the prophet warns Edom, "The terror you inspire and the pride of your heart have deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks, who occupy the heights of the hill. Though you build your nest as high as the eagle’s, from there I will bring you down, declares the LORD." This serves as a caution against placing trust in earthly security and pride, reminding believers that true safety is found only in God.

Theological Implications:

Nesting in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for God's care, the wisdom of living within His ordained order, and the futility of seeking security apart from Him. It reflects the natural order established by God, where each creature has its place and purpose. The imagery of nesting invites believers to trust in God's provision and to find their ultimate security in His presence.

The Sweet Uses of Adversity
... divine. He says he was never very skillful at birds' nesting in the summer
time, but he could always find birds' nests in the winter. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the sweet uses of adversity.htm

The Night Darkened Steadily Down Over London, -- a Chill Dreary ...
... pink and white and cream and yellow, clambering over the walls and up to the very
roof of his picturesque and peaceful home"the white doves nesting in the ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxxix the night darkened steadily.htm

La Brea
... species, save that they had white in the wings; and on the second visit, one of
the midshipmen, true to the English boy's birds'-nesting instinct, found one of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter viii la brea.htm

Nesting (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Nesting (1 Occurrence). Daniel 4:21 whose leaves
were beautiful, and its fruit much, and in it was food ...
/n/nesting.htm - 6k

Nestled (1 Occurrence)

/n/nestled.htm - 6k

Nested (3 Occurrences)

/n/nested.htm - 7k

Birds (125 Occurrences)
... The hoopoe (which see) was offensive to Moses on account of extremely filthy nesting
habits, but was considered a great delicacy when captured in migration by ...
/b/birds.htm - 62k

Dove (27 Occurrences)
... ark, but would enter and go to the cage of its mate, and if it found green food
it would regurgitate a portion for her or its young, or if not nesting he could ...
/d/dove.htm - 28k

Owl (11 Occurrences)
... by enemies. Near these locations the ostrich would be pursued for its plumage,
and its nesting conditions did not prevail. The location ...
/o/owl.htm - 18k

Stork (6 Occurrences)
... dove and the swallow and the crane observe the time of their coming; but my people
know not the law of Yahweh." The Psalmist referred to their nesting in the ...
/s/stork.htm - 14k

Hawk (6 Occurrences)
... These large hawks and the glede are of eagle-like nature, nesting on Carmel and
on the hills of Galilee, in large trees and on mountain crags. ...
/h/hawk.htm - 14k

Hoopoe (2 Occurrences)
... It must be put on record, however, that where no superstition attaches to the hoopoe
and where its nesting habits are unknown and its feeding propensities ...
/h/hoopoe.htm - 9k

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