The eagle is spoken of many times in Scripture both symbolically and allegorically. It is a symbol of boldness, courage, swiftness and skillfulness.
“Saul and Jonathan were…swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions” (2 Samuel 1:23 NKJ)
We speak of the:
* Eagle eye is good eye sight.
* Eagle wit is a sharp sense of humor.
* Eagle in golf is two under par.
* Eagle pilot is a top pilot.
The Bible speaks of eagles’ wings, eagles’ nests and eagle eyes. Therefore I have come up with the term Eagle Christian, which points to a place where every born again believer can live: “above only, and not be beneath” (Deuteronomy 28:13). It speaks of strength, power, majesty, dominion, boldness, dependability and courage, combined with tenderness and faithfulness. These are the virtues of the eagle. The eagle fears neither man, beast or the elements.
“And has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:6).
“Does the eagle mount up at [God’s] command, and make its nest on high? On the rock it dwells and resides, on the crag of the rock and the stronghold. From there
it spies out the prey; its eyes observe from afar” (Job 39:27-29).
From this advantageous position the eagle can spot both the food and the danger, enabling it to protect and provide for its young. From this high place the process begins with the next generation; training for a majestic life.
“As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings, so the Lord alone led him, and there was no foreign god with him” (Deuteronomy 32:11-12).
Mother eagle knows instinctively when the young are ready to commence flight lessons:
1. Hovers over its young, flapping its wings. It’s an object lesson for the young who begin to jump around the nest flap their wings and hop from branch to branch.
2. Stirs up its nest. She pulls out the padding and starts to destroy her own nest. Then entices the young one to the edge of the nest through food or other means. If it doesn’t jump of its own free will Momma gives a flip with her wing and over he goes towards the ground or the rocks. Even eagles need a push sometimes!
3. Flying lessons. The young eagle begins to flap its wings which initially do not work so well—he is trying his wings of faith. It looks like sure disaster, but Mom swoops down, spreads her wings and catches the young eagle.
“I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself” (Exodus 19:4).
Israel had lost her ability to soar; she had to be carried. God brought Israel out of her nest of bondage in Egypt and took her into her destiny. In the wilderness God taught His people how to trust Him for provision, protection, guidance, and direction to the Promised Land.
4. The mother trains the young eagle to hunt. The eagle’s talons and beak are weapons that they have to learn to use for provision and protection. The eagle dives at between 100-200 miles an hour and knows how to put brakes on with her wings not too soon and not too late.
5. Eventually the eagle discovers its own wings and how to use them. “But the woman (Israel) was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place [prepared by God]" (Revelation 12:14; 6).
Eagle leadership is well displayed in the ministry of Jesus with his disciples. Notice how Jesus trains those closest to Him:
a. They observed Jesus. “And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water’” (Matthew 14:28). We are created in the image of God and there is something on the inside of us all that craves the supernatural.
b. They are trained by Jesus. "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40).
c. When they fell, Jesus was there to pick them up, brush them off and give them another chance to live free and fly above the storms of life.
d. The observers “marveled and they realized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13). Eventually they thought like Him, talked like Him and did the works He did. Throughout history when people came to understand what Christ was really offering, they would sacrifice anything—money, comfort, home and security—just to get a chance to be a disciple of Jesus.
Jesus changed His followers into world changers and history makers. Now it’s our turn!
Dr George Hill
President/Founder Victory Churches International
