Friday, March 7, 2008

The Lesson of the Hawk

"Does the hawk fly by your wisdom, and spread it wings toward the south?"

(Job 39:26)

This morning I saw this hawk sitting in a tree behind our house and of course a bunch of crows squawking and harassing him.

I called Vic and asked him to come quick with his zoom zens and snap some photos. He did and the above photo is the result.
I thought I remembered reading about hawks in the bible and looked up the reference to find God Himself speaking about the hawk -- Job 39:26
How beautifully the hawk flies ! And so she should... her wings were designed by the Greatest Designer of Wings by His infinite wisdom !
But it was the second part of the verse that caught my attention. "it spreads its wings toward the south". What was the meaning here ?
I did a little research and came up with the following.
When it is time for the hawk to molt its old feathers or grow new ones it needs to warm its body so the pores open to allow the process to take place.
It accomplishes this in one of two ways. If the south wind is blowing it spreads its wings into its warmth, or if there is no south wind then it beats its wings to create a breeze while facing the warm rays of the sun.
There is an object lesson here , is there not?
We too need to 'molt'.
"..You have heard Him and have been taught by Him ... that you put off, concerning your former conduct , the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lust, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God in true righteousness and holiness." (Eph. 4:21-24)

We are to 'molt' -- putting off the old man and putting on the new man. The old man is , of course, our old sinful character and the new man is the new godly character we are to grow into.

How do we do this ? How do we let go of our old 'feathers' ? Is it not as we yield to the 'wind' of the Holy Spirit ? As we spread our hearts out before Him, we invite Him to reveal our sin and selfish desires.

And what do our 'old feathers' look like?

"Now the works (feathers) of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissentions , heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like..." (Gal. 5:20,21)

How do we grow new 'feathers' ? Is it not as we look into the face of the Son ?

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." (II Cor. 3:18)

We are told what our new 'feathers' will look like.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness , self-control...." (Gal. 5:23)


The hawk cannot grow new feathers until it molts its old ones.... so also we cannot put on the character of Christ until we 'molt' our old sinful self!

If the hawk refuses to molt, its damaged old feathers would cause the hawk to lose its ability to soar effortlessly in the sky and eventually it would become earthbound.

So we also. If we hang on to our old sinful habits and characteristics we too will lose our ability to soar in God's kingdom and will be in danger of Paul's warning... "..those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal. 5:21)

Next time you look up into the sky and see a hawk soaring above you ... remember the lesson of the hawk, and look for the 'South Wind' blowing in your life and look to the Son to warm your heart.

34 comments:

Nicki said...

Very interesting. Thank you. The wonders of God's creation and the lessons they can teach us never cease to amaze me.

Thoughts on Life and Millinery. said...

That was very interesting. My dad studies birds, I'll have to ask him about all this for his take. I always appreciate your research and applications Julie.
They are so meaningful.

James Janzen said...

Very interesting. I love how you take God's creation and turn it into an object lesson. You are truly a teacher!!

A Lady said...

And what a scary idea it can be, loosing one's feathers. How scary during the time before the new ones are fully functional. Definately a test of faith, because surely one must be grounded (in many sences of the word) while the old feathers are molted and the new ones not quite in yet. Beautiful post, Julie. Thank you

Demara said...

Aw you did it again Julie! Such beautiful analogy here. Does the hawk molt every year??? It must right? or must it??? you know if it weren't for your explaination of that verse I probably would have never got what Jesus was meaning at all there!

Anonymous said...

I have seen full circle rainbows and hawks and I am never able to not just watch in awe of my creator.
His covenant manifested on earth.
Did the spirit(hawk) of God affect the prophet Ezekiel?

Anonymous said...

thank you so much for reading and seeking Yehovah's Word and sharing the wisdom he gives you! Trusting Him is our life. Love how if we let the old fall away, He will bring us to new heights! what insight!

Unknown said...

Stumbled upon this just as I've been watching a hawk sitting outside my home for the past two days. And this is the very thing that the Lord is dealing with in my heart. Not an easy process but one worth going through. Thank you for this teaching.

Tracie said...

I too had a hawk visit this morning. He flew right up to the window I was sitting at and sat there looking at me from about 4 feet away. He was beautiul and I couldn't help but feel GOD was sending me a message.

Anonymous said...

Wow! I have been sorrowful for my behavior and have bared my heart to Jesus feeling it wasn't enough or pure enough. When just a few minutes ago I stepped outside and under my breath said, "Lord, you said no one is beyond the reach of God" when a hawk flew into the backyard and scared the quail away. It landed on the fence, turned around, looked at me and flew off.

Anonymous said...

The previous post is quite similar to what happened to me Monday 10/18/11. A 8 days after your moment. I too was in my backyard. I've seen one hawk on a regular. Tuesday there were two! Each time I've seen the one God relays a specific word. And this time it was after God had given me revelation on my recent struggles. I had been discussing how difficult it was to endure His pruning. Your blog post proves even more that I must allow the process to occur. I must stop fighting Him. I also have to turn my back on my old ways, repeated sin, etc. Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I seen a hawk today setting on the fence next to my mothers house He just sat there looking so majestic so beautiful...I have never seen any bird do this on her fence I felt compelled to find out why he was there and if there was a meaning so i put in mention of hawk in bible and your page popped up!! Thank u very much God is good Time for me to finish molting;)Denise

libbie said...

This is so interesting, 4 years ago my grandson past away with leukemia at the age of 5yrs and the day he was buried a Hawk flew over the grave and now every time I feel or my daughter feels lowest and is thinking of nicholas a Hawk will fly overhead. This is to some a coincidense but trust me it is not. Today we will bury my mom and I am so looking forward to seeing our messengers from the good Lord. Our Hawk will carry the message to us that everything is ok and we should molt our feathers so we will be able to soar for the comfort of our loved ones too one day. Thank you for the lesson and also for letting me share this.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much. I have been seeing hawks often near my work place as I leave to go home. Sensing the holy spirit was trying to communicate something to me, I searched hawks in bible & came across your page. God bless you & yours! It's time to molt! Amen! Praise thre Lord, he amazes me.
Angela

Anonymous said...

I too have seen a hawk at our workplace (once last year and the other today soaring above our heads - a rooster also showed up at the workplace last year). I'm always wondering what it is God is trying to tell me since I have been on a journey through trials since 2008. I spent the entire month of January (2012) verbally attacking someone who hurt me very badly in 2008 and the end result was self-inflicted pain. When you hurt those you love, you hurt yourself. I pray that God will help me grow new feathers. Thank you for your beautiful post.

Anonymous said...

I knew there was some reason why I kept seeing the hawks near my home. At times, I would see a hawk alone, not moving, sitting on a wire. Sometimes I would see the hawk aloft and in flight. I only see them on occasion, but when I do it has significance to me. I now interpret that when I see the hawk in flight, I am winning through Christ the battle of sin in my life. When I see the hawk alone and not moving, it appears to be a challenge to me to consider where I must remove the sin that compromises flight.

I so appreciate this blog. Thank you for taking the time to post.

Karen said...

Wow!!! My father passed away in April 2012 after a 14 week battle with pancreatic cancer. When first diagnosed I flew to see him immediately. I was on a mission!!! I said to him "I can't save you medically, but, I can help to SAVE you.". I worked my spiritual fingers to the bone until the day he died. I believe God gave me the gift of being bedside holding my fathers hand in mine as he drew his last breath. I truly believe He was allowing me the peace to know that my father had made it to Him.
The next day I hiked for 2 hours in the Marana, Az. mountains around my fathers home where I was accompanied by a single hawk who never left my side. Since the death of my father I've been consistently surrounded by the presence of many hawks. I finally took the time to research the bible with mention of a hawk and came across this beautiful piece of literature.
Thank you from my heart for displaying this writing in such a meaningful manner.
Bless you!!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this, my boyfriend and I were going through some testing together and last night after we prayed, we saw a hawk flying and being harrassed by some crows. We were bursting to know what God was trying to tell us. We came across your blog this morning and were so blessed. Many blessings!

Shushan said...

The Lord showed me a vision of a Hawk with its wings open ready for flight. I saw this vision whistled I was sitting and praying with my eyes closed in church this weekend. I later asked the Lord what is this vision and what does it mean? I stumbled across this webpage and meaning. I feel the Lord directed me here to this website to receive the answer. The last month I have been receiving out pouring of blessings from God and holy spirit comes into my body at midnight and I shake, cry and prophesise and see visions. I am transforming and molting as a Hawk would. Amen.

CloverLiz said...

My daughter called me today and told me there is an eagle on the top of her building and everyone outside taking pics and videos, so I told her that's a confirmation to my prayer that I pray for her building address and the next building to her that blood of Jesus will cover every apartment and save and deliver everyone who lives in these buildings for their salvation and deliverance. so she went outside and text me say its an hawk not an eagle so I know its still a promise that God is doing a cleansing to his people in the building. Glory to God!

Unknown said...

I just watched a hawk do this 2 days ago. I thought it was hurt. He was on the ground siting in the sun and jumping up and down flapping his wings. It look like he was hurt. I approached him aND he flew up into a tree. I NO NOW WHAT THE LORD WAS SAYING TO ME. thanks this was helpful to me.

Unknown said...

I've seen a hawk 2x in the last 10 days, so close I even seen it looking right at me as I was seeking the Lord. I mean 20 feet away from me. I was seeking it's meaning as well, because of the battle for souls in the body of Christ is so under attack these days. I am seeking Him more and more as the days go into weeks that seem to be accelerating! Guarding our hearts and minds and souls, and knowing what Jesus Christ says to the 7 Churches in Revelation regarding what He has against the Church and about the Bride preparing herself is key. Thank you for sharing this with us! Bless you!

Unknown said...

Hawks have showed up in the last 2 years 3 times. The first time was when I lost both of my brothers within 2 weeks of each other in 2015 to the ravages of cancer. As I was sitting on the deck of my brother's home after they died in unbelievable grief, a hawk flew directly in front of me and landed in the fork of the tree at my eye level about 5' away from me. He made full eye contact with me then gently stepped off of the tree and glided silently into the woods. The last 2 years I have suffered not only the loss of my brothers, but the loss of my 44 year marriage last year. Another hawk visited me as I sat journaling on my back patio while I was dealing with another great change in my life. Then this year, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, went through 2 surgeries and radiation treatment. At the end of my treatment, I lost my job. As I was sitting on my patio this morning once again praying about what God has planned for me, I was visited by another hawk. I found your beautiful post and remembered God is with me through it all. He is renewing my spirit, filling me with His word. I am being transformed with each suffering more into His likeness. What a wonderful explanation of the appearing of a hawk these last years. Thank you for sharing God's Word so eloquently. He has blessed me through you.

Julie said...

Donna, thank you for your comment ... you have been through a lot! I pray that you continue to rest on the wings of God as they spread under you to hold you up. No matter what comes your way ... You are safe in Him. Blessings upon you, in you, and through you to others.

Cassie said...

And what if you see a dead hawk?

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this, had a close in hawk and could feel Holy Spirits touch. I need both to let go and be renewed. Thank you and Lord bless you.

Julie said...

Cindy said ...
Wow! This is so good. Love this! Lord help me to walk in this. Wish I knew how to study God’s Word. Trying to renew my mind and take out my past and remove the programming from the Occult. Sometimes it seems impossible and hopeless but then I remember all things are possible when you lean on God and His promises. Thank you for this lesson. Blessings.

Julie said...

Your comment notification came into my mail-box but didn't post here ... I don't know why, so I 'helped' it ...
My heart goes out to you, Cindy -- and I just want to say I love you - and appreciate how hard it would be to get rid of all the occult programming, to change your thinking ... But you are right .. All things are possible when you trust God to help you and you keep your focus on him. You ARE a new creature !! and with the ongoing help of the Holy Spirit your mind 'WILL' be renewed. (Rom.12:2) May I suggest finding a good bible study group if you are not already in one? Praying for you that God will work in and through you His good purposes !! Bless you, Julie

Kim said...

You are definetly going in the right direction, but w/ the wrong perspective...God is showing you what's already been done at the cross....Romans 6:1 how shall we who have died to sin live any longer in it?
Romans 12:2 be transformed by the renewing of your minds....
A change of perspective is all you need...God is not only showing you qho you ARE but what's been DONE at the cross...("it is finished") He's guving you a revelation of the cross through a hawk! ☺

WomanOfValor said...

I have a story to share, and I would love to get some feed back! I too have had a Hawk experience. I have a video and photo as well. Not sure if I can post photos here but I'd be willing to share to those who are interested by email. So one day I was in my prayer barn. Just worshiping the Lord in songs, and praying to him as well. I am a big Spiritual Warfare Daughter of a KING. I was on my face that morning asking God to empty me of all the sin and bad and to fill me with nothing but him. When I was done i took a ride on my four wheeler round the loop road I live on. This loop road is mostly just fields and woods. I do prayer walks around this loop road and have had many physical encounters from the Lord. Well on this particular day I had just took my four wheeler out for a ride. I had taken a right into one of the fields and hit a mud puddle and turned around to come back out to the road to take a left out of the field to head back home. Well as I am approaching the road I spot a Hawk sitting on the edge of the road across from where I was and he flew up and landed in the middle of the road and spread his wings wide facing towards me. He was in the way of where I needed to go to get home. I sat at the edge of the road for several minutes and watched him. he kept his wings spread and facing me for a long time... several minutes. I backed my four wheeler up back into the field and he maintained his position. After several minutes, maybe 10 minutes he flew up and around in a couple circles and dissapeared. I ran across a prophesy from David Eells with his encounter and what the Lord was telling him. I know we are in the last days... the Lord has told me the time was now... that the waiting is over..... but I am still in prayer about exactly what the Lord was telling me on this day.

Julie said...

A very interesting experience, Maria ... thank you for sharing it. I wouldn't know what the Lord was telling you that day .. but I know if you keep asking Him He will tell you!

Unknown said...

This past weekend I was serving on the agape team for The Great Banquet. I needed to retrieve a few things from home on Saturday afternoon. Upon entering my van, I rolled down all four windows as it was a warm afternoon. Once I was on the main road, after exiting the camp, a hawk swiftly flew very low to the ground between my van and the car in front of me. It then quickly cut sharp left and was heading directly for my drivers side open window. I literally ducked, thinking it was going to fy in (it was that close). I even turned after the fact to see that it did not enter in the back seat window behind me. Of course, I was startled, quite a bit shaken and in total awe of what had just happed! I have had numerous hawk experieces in the past but nothing like this. The Holy Spirit has sent me numerous divine messages over the years. I know that I am a continual work in progress...thank God! I never know the initial meaning of each message but with lots of prayer,research and PATIENCE it has always been revealed eventualy with an unmistakable ah ha moment. I am so curious and perplexed about this whole hawk experience. I welcome any insight that anyone may have to expedite my ah ha moment!
Blessings and thanks to you in advance :)

Julie said...

Thank you for your comment, Barbara. I don't know what God's message to you might be but what comes to my mind is that the hawk -- which is an 'unclean' bird -- in darting at you, startled and frightened you.. leaving you shaken. Do you think it was a reminder that though the enemy seeks to frighten or harm you, it cannot enter the 'safety' of God's presence around you?

Unknown said...

Thank you Julie. I have never seen a hawk on my property before but last night at supper time a young one landed outside my window. I thought it was pretty cool, but didn't think much of it until this morning when I was in my downstairs art studio, and it landed right outside my window. There is still quite a snowbank next to the house, and it flew down inside the bank, next to the house where I could see it. I've been going through a tough time, and just felt God was wanting to tell me something. Your lesson hit the mark. Thank you again! (I hope he comes back so I may get a pic of him and paint him.😊)