August 2, 2026

UNIT 3 Lessons from Animals in the Bible

LESSON: 9

Study Text: Exodus 19:1-8; Deu.32:10-12; Psalms 84:1-4; 91:1-8; Isaiah 40:27-31; Matthew 10:26-33;23:37-39

Central Truth: God's concern. for birds is far outshined by His love for us.

KEY Verse-- Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?(KJV).

Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. and aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

For the next few weeks, we'll be discovering some of the spiritual principle we can learn from animals in the Bible. 

DISCUSSION STARTER--Bird Trivia

Mark whether the following statements are true or false.  (1). T F The hummingbird is the smallest bird in the world. (2). T F Pelicans store food in their bills. (3). T F Ostriches lay the largest eggs relative to their body size. (4). T F Cuckoos lay their eggs in other birds' nests, tricking them into caring for their young.

All animals belong to God. "I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine" (Psalm 50:11). Paul told the Romans, "Through everything God made, [people] can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature" (1:20). God intentionally created all the animals, and He chose to include some of them in His Word. Sometimes they're simply characters in a story (like the lions in the den with Daniel), while other times they're illustrations for remembering history or teaching spiritual principles (like the Passover lamb). When we come across animals in our Bible study, we should ask what lesson God would have us learn. 

                                                                 PART 1--His eye Is on the Sparrow

          Living in God's Presence                                     Psalm 84:1-4

Psalm 84 is likely set during the Feast of Tabernacles, when worshipers would travel to the temple in Jerusalem to celebrate God's provision. The psalm begins with an expression of desperate longing for the presence of God. The words translated "long" and "faint" in verse 2 are more intense in the original language. The Psalmist's entire being cries out for God. anyone who had visited the temple would have been familiar with the sounds of birds singing as they fluttered overhead, building their nests in the crevices of the temple walls or in the nearby trees. They represent the joy of living in God's presence. The psalmist longs for that kind of peaceful existence under God's protection. In verse 4, he seems envious of the birds at the temple. They have no jobs or responsibilities forcing them to leave the temple at the end of the day. Instead, they "live in your house, always singing your praises." Because of the redemptive work of Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in all believers, we no longer need to make pilgrimages to a temple to experience God's presence.

? How have you experienced the joy and peace f living under God's provision?

        Known and loved                        Matthew 10:29-31

In Matthew, Jesus sent His disciples to announce His kingdom message (verse 7). He explained the guidelines they should follow and warned about the dangers ahead. He encouraged them to focus on eternity and not give in to fear (verse 28). Then He used a familiar illustration to explain why they should not be afraid. In that time, a person could buy two sparrows with one copper coin--equal to about a half-hour's wages. This made sparrows the least expensive animals at the market. Yet Jesus explained that the Heavenly Father knows when they fly, and He knows when they fall. Jesus reminded His followers that the Father knows and cares for them too (verses 30-31). They had no need to fear.

? What are some ways God's loving care can fill us with courage?

PART 2--On Eagle's Wings

"I Carried You"         Exodus 19:3-5; Deu.32:10-12

God delivered a message to His people (Exodus 19:3). Before they received the Law, He wanted them to remember how He had lowered Egypt while raising Israel up "on eagles' wings' to bring them to himself (verse 4). The Song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32:10-12 draws out this metaphor. It describes how God found Israel and then taught them to fly--a symbol of granting freedom. This illustrates of watching an eagle learn to fly: The mother started from the nest in the crags and, roughly handling the youngsters allowed him to drop, about ninety feet; then she would swop down under him, wings spread, and he would alight on her back. She would soar to the top of the range with him and repeat the process . . . I should say the farthest she let him fall was a hundred and fifty feet. Unlike eagles, who teach their young to fly and then leave them on their own, God would continue to carry His people. "Even to your old age . . .I have made you and I will carry you" (Isaiah 46:4).

? What are some ways God has carried you?

  The Strength to Soar             Isaiah 40:27-31

Isaiah wonders how Israel could continue to doubt God, considering all He created (verse 27). God exists on a completely different plane than human beings (verse 28). He never gets tired or weary. He is never overwhelmed or confused. In His kindness, God shares His strength with those who look to Him for help (verse 29). Isaiah say that people who place their hope in God are like soaring eagles, moved along by His power. When eagles soar, they don't flap their wings. Instead, they hold them out to catch rising air currents. This allows them to glide and be propelled by the wind's power instead of burning their own energy. By resting in God and placing all our hope in Him, we access a completely new level of strength--His strength.

? Imagine that you're a bird soaring high in the sky. what would that feel like? How can you experience something similar when you are relying on God's strength?

PART 3-Under God's Wings

      Finding Refuge            Psalm 91:1-4

Psalm 91 begings with a summary: The faithful ones who stay close to God will find His peace and protection. The use of so many divine names in verses 1-2 shows the Psalmist's loving relationship with God. Verse 3 declares that God protects His people from danger. Death is symbolized by a trap that has been set by a fowler or bird hunter. Instead of allowing His people to fly into the enemy's traps, God lovingly guides them toward safety. Then the Psalmist shifts the metaphor to depict God himself as a protective bird (verse 4). God is gentle enough to tenderly care for His chicks and powerful enough to defend them against every enemy.

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? What names do you typically use to address God when you pray? How do those names reflect your personal relationship with Him? 

Refusing Shelter          Matthew 23:37-38

Animals may not have the ability to reason or make high-level decision, but God gave them instincts to help them survive. By His design, birds use their wings not just to fly, but to shelter their young. Imagine if a baby bird were to resist its instincts and refuse the protection of its mother wings. It wouldn't survive. In Matthew23:37-38, Jesus lamented over Jerusalem. Instead of accepting the shelter and salvation He offered, Israel had rejected Him and would have no protection from judgment. Even birds instinctively know where to turn for protection, but God's people had exerted their will and resisted His care. As a result, Jesus declared, "Your house is abandoned and desolate" (verse 38). Less than forty years later, in 70 AD, Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed. This were merely

a symptom of the spiritual desolation that already existed because of Israel's rejection of Jesus. This lesson for us is clear: Humble yourself and accept the protection Jesus offers. baby birds have enough sense to run to their mothers and shamelessly hide under their wings when danger approaches. And we should have enough faith to run to Jesus. There is no safer place to be than under His wings.

? How do animal instincts sometimes reflect more wisdom than human free will?

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US?

Most of the lessons we learn from the birds in the Bible center on god's love, power, and provision. Like sparrows, we can be at home in His presence, knowing He sees us and cares for us. like eagles, we can trust Him to carry us and soar on His strength. Like helpless baby birds, we can find shelter and protection under His wings--not just the dangers of this world but from eternal judgment. The all-powerful God who created more than ten thousand species of birds--and knows each one-is more than able to care for us.

LIVING IT OUT

Spend some time watching birds--whether outside your home, at a park or zoo, or in a nature documentary. What spiritual principals can you learn from their God-given characteristics and behaviors? 

Read Matthew 6:25-34 and journal your response. Then share the truths of this Scripture with someone who may be struggling with anxiety.

             DAILY BIBLE READINGS

                         Monday: Noah Sends Out Birds. Genesis 8:6-14

                        Tuesday: Elijah Fed by Ravens. 1 Kings 17:1-6

                                 Wednesday: Parable of the Eagles. Ezekiel 17:1-10

                                            Thursday: Pair of Birds Sacrificed. Luke 2:21-24; Lev.12:8

                                  Friday: Like a Dove. Mattew 3:15-17; John 1:31-33

                                              Saturday: Birds Used for Judgment.  Revelation 19:17-21

RADIANT LIFE

Volume 107 Number 3 Mar. Apr. May 2026

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