Soaring Like An Eagle
On a recent vacation I had the privilege to see not one but 5 bald eagles during a white water trip to Cumberland Falls. One out of 8 people get to see one in their lifetime. I saw one a time. This represents freedom. They have no fear flying solo. They soar with a distinct direction and purpose. They don’t have to fly in the shadows of another’s wings. They take their own flight. This took my breath away as I saw them fly from above the horizon. This was God promise of a profound prophetic word that was spoken over my life. Eagles feed off of things that are alive. They don’t feed off of dead things. Their almost extinct, they hardly ever show themselves but when you do it’s the most captivating image you will ever see in your life.
The image of God as an eagle is found throughout the bible but primarily in the old testament. It is a sign of strength and able to bear much weight, as Moses wrote, “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself” (Exodus 19:4) This further symbolized when Moses said of god “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions” (Deuteronomy 32:11). The eagle can bear up their young on its pinions, which are the outer wings. This is basically what God did when He brought Israel out of captivity from Egypt and continued to bear her up in wanderings on the wilderness.
Eagles are a sign of strength
The psalmist often referred to God in the imagery or as having attributes of an eagle and especially when he wrote that it was God “who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagles” (Psalm 103:5). Isaiah also saw the symbolic strength of God as depicted in an eagle when He wrote” but they who wait on the Lord will renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
The Eagles as God’s rod against Israel and Judah
God also uses eagles in the bible to describe different powers which will come down swiftly upon Israel if she refuses to live in obedience to Him. God spoke through Jeremiah in warning Judah about a coming threat from the north stating “Behold, he comes up like clouds; his chariots like the whirlwind; his horses are swifter than eagles-woe to us, for we are ruined.” (Jeremiah 4:13) If the nation continues in idolatry and refuses to repent, writing about the coming enemy “Their horses are swifter than leopards, more fierce than the evening wolves; their horsemen press proudly on. Their horseman comes from afar; they fly like an eagle swift to devour.
The Eagles as God’s Protection
God refers to himself as an eagle for several different reasons and one example is His protective nature as in Psalm 91:1-4: "He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will abide in the shadows of the almighty. I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. For He will deliver you from the snare of the Fowler and from deadly pestilence. He will cover you with feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and a buckler.'" Eagles represent sovereignty and supremacy and how fitting since God is the real ruler of kings and preists (Daniel 2:20/5:18-21, Proverbs 8:15-16, Romans 13:1-2) but also, when the storm hits , eagles fly far above the storms, indicating that God is never affected by conditions for He is also over nature.
If you have ever watched an eagle soar, it is nearly motionless and stationary. This absolute lack of movement makes it naked to the eyes of its prey. The majestic bird may have a wing span over 8 feet and weigh up to 15 pounds and live up to 40 years. Eagles are indigenous to North America but they used to be predominant in Palestine at one time. They are also the most attentive parents of all bird species and perhaps the greatest teachers of their young, and like doves, they remain monogamous until death. God is like an eagle, He covers us and He shadows us Psalm 36:7, 63:7, 91:1-4 1 Kings 8:7, covers us Psalm 91:1-4. hides us Psalm 17:8 and is even under us Psalm 36:7.
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