Eagles

Somewhere in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, just past Lopez Island, we shifted our gaze from the boundless ocean horizon skyward. We expected a day of whale chasing and were surprised by the siting of a Bald Eagle majestically soaring over sea.

Close enough to follow its path, we kept our eyes fixed on the Bald Eagle’s graceful dance with the towering trees. Perhaps in search of prey or merely protecting, the eagle never soared far from its nesting eaglet.

The Bald Eagle, of course, is the national emblem of the United States of America, synonymous with freedom. In scripture, more is said about eagles than any other bird. As I watched the eagle tend its nesting, I was reminded of the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy. Moses’ song tells a story and issues a warning, yet he gives particular instances of God’s kindness and concern for His people.

¹¹ like an eagle that stirs up its nest
and hovers over its young,
that spreads its wings to catch them
and carries them on its pinions.

Deuteronomy 32: 11

I like Matthew Henry’s commentary.  Henry explains, “The eagle’s care for her young is a beautiful emblem of Christ’s love, who came between Divine justice and our guilty souls, and bare our sins in his own body on the tree.”

I saw the beauty of Christ’s love for us soaring towards the heavens today. It was a holy and glorious site. I set out in search of whales, but the Lord had a different viewing in mind for me today.

Praise Him!