The Talking Moose….

“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you…” (Job 12:7-10)

Nature speaks. It sparks moments of wonder about a planet given to us to steward and enjoy. Full of mysterious creatures, fascinating flora, and baffling events, our world tells of God’s mystery and magnificence. Not all would agree with that, but the world has always inspired thoughts of God and our relationship to Him. “The heavens declared the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.” (Psalm 19)

God is not nature, but He is ever present in it. From myriads of chemical reactions and unseen cellular particles to forces that hold us precariously, precisely, and securely in a vast universe of orbiting planets, black holes, and expanding galaxies, God’s glory, goodness, creativity, and sustaining power are evident everywhere. The Apostle Paul wrote that God’s “invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made…” (Roman 1:20)

Our world also conveys a humbling message about humanity. Hear the Psalmist again: “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him.” (Psalm 8) As he observed how transitory life is, King Solomon realized that man’s self seeking, self promotion, and self oriented efforts to find validity and happiness were futile and that meaning and purpose are rooted in a relationship with the sovereign, eternal God. (Ecclesiastes 12) When Job struggled with life’s unfairness and God’s justice and sovereignty, he was instructed to ponder nature’s mysteries. Through them his eyes were opened to God’s omniscience and goodness and to an understanding that God’s thoughts, ways, and purposes are superior to man’s. (Job 38-42)

Jesus illustrated his teachings about God, fallen creation, sin-marred mankind, moral issues, redemption, eternal principles, and God’s kingdom with richly painted word pictures drawn from nature. The sun and rain showed God’s grace. Dead fig trees illustrated hypocrisy and judgment. Wheat fields represented the world waiting to hear the Gospel; withering grass emphasized the brevity of life; and weeds became examples of an evil world system opposing God. Germinating seeds illustrated the effects of the Good News on a life. Sparrows revealed God’s intimate knowledge of and compassion for all His creatures; the beauty of lilies spoke of God’s provision and the futility of anxiety. There were more lessons illustrated with swine, fish, sheep, wolves, goats and yeast!

However, Jesus did more than tell stories and parables. He demonstrated his divinity through powerful, compassionate miracles. He calmed seas, walked on water, turned water into wine, healed the sick, made a feast for 5000 from a few fish and several loaves of bread, and raised the dead. His death for humanity’s sins during an unjust and cruel crucifixion revealed the unfathomable depth of divine love, mercy, and grace. Furthermore, he dispelled the dread and power of death. His resurrection proved that sin-marred humanity can have confidence of eternal life if they will acknowledge him as their Redeemer. As the visible manifestation of invisible God, as personified love, grace, and mercy, he continues to brings us into relationship with God and His eternal protection.

We are wonderfully made to live in a magnificent world which reveals our insignificance but more importantly it tells us of the ever present God who lovingly cares for our souls. The beasts, the birds, the bushes, and the fish point us to God’s sovereignty: “Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?” To be certain that we get the impact and specificity of the question, they answer it: “In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12:7-10)