Deuteronomy 32:11
God's tenderness and strength are revealed through the image of the eagle, which illustrates His parenthood, strength, and nature, and shows us how He leads us through disturbance and assurance of His love.
Chuck Smith explores the metaphor of an eagle in Deuteronomy 32:11 to illustrate God's nurturing and protective nature. He emphasizes how God, like a mother eagle, stirs up the nest to encourage growth and independence in His children, revealing His parental love and strength. The sermon highlights that disturbances in our lives can be God's way of preventing complacency and leading us to greater heights. Smith reassures that even in times of confusion, God's love remains constant, guiding us as we learn to spread our wings and embrace our purpose.
Text
"AS AN EAGLE"
Intro: Moses a man familiar with wilderness, probably watched eagles many times. Daring
figure to use of God, Warranted Ex. 19:4 "I bare you on eagles wings and brought you
unto myself." This illus. teaches us the tenderness and strength of God.
I. THE ACTIVITY OF THE EAGLES.
A. "Stirreth up her nest."
"Fluttereth over her young" "Broodeth."
"Spreadeth abroad His wings."
"Beareth them on His pinions."
B. The purpose of the activity. "So the Lord did lead them:"
1. The last part shows God's purpose.
2. The first His method.
3. Why is the eagle stirring up her nest etc.?
4. How does God lead us? Stirs up the nest.
II. THE REVELATION OF GOD.
A. Watch the scene described here. Mother stirring nest, baby eaglets sleeping.
B. What does this reveal to us of God?
1. His parenthood.
a. In God fatherhood & motherhood merge.
b. Eaglets are of the very being & nature of eagles & thus the
supreme object of love.
1. We were made in image and likeness of God and through
being born-again the very nature thus the supreme object
of His love.
2. His strength thus the consequent security of eaglet.
a. Watch eagle in storm.
b. Watch it in conflict. Watch as it broods over young, gentleness.
1. Gentleness is not weakness strength held in reserve.
3. His nature.
a. The eagle dwells on high & takes its flight sunward, up, up,
until out of sight. Here the figure breaks down & thus
accomplishes its purposes. "God is the light."
III. THE ACTIVITIES REPRESENTING GOD'S ACTIVITIES.
A. "Stirreth up the nest" disturbance.
1. God's first method is disturbance.
a. So easy to become lethargic complacent.
b. In the disturbing hour, look for God.
2. We are prone to misinterpret disturbance.
a. He has so many problems, disappointments something must be wrong.
b. God is preventing the fatal lethargies that destroy.
B. "Broodeth over her young."
1. Watch mother eagle disturbs her young pushes them to edge of nest will
presently push them out.
a. Now she pauses and broods, she seems to say "I know I have
disturbed you & in a moment I am going to do something you won't
understand, but remember I am your mother.
b. God does not always explain the disturbance but He assures us
of Himself, His love.
C. "He spreadeth abroad His wings."
1. He is now showing the awakened eaglets purpose.
2. He spreads abroad his wings that they might follow instinct & begin
spreading abroad their wings.
3. As they begin.
Sermon Outline
- The Activity of the Eagles points: - Stirreth up her nest
- The Revelation of God points: - Watch the scene described here
- The Activities Representing God's Activities points: - Stirreth up the nest
Key Quotes
“I bare you on eagles wings and brought you unto myself.” — Chuck Smith
“So the Lord did lead them:” — Chuck Smith
“God is the light.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We should look for God in the disturbing hours of our lives.
- God's disturbance is not always easy to understand, but He assures us of His love and presence.
- We should spread our wings and follow our instincts, trusting in God's guidance and strength.