The Bible uses the image of Eagle to show strength, power, swiftness and high ideals. Eagles make their nest high on the rocks. They fly swiftly. God compares himself to a mighty eagle when he tells how he delivered the Israelites from Egypt on eagle’s wings (Exodus 19:4)
Great men of God are like eagles. The father of all nations, multitudes and faith – Abraham; was a great Eagle. God commanded him, “Rise up, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you†What was Abraham’s life like? To a casual observer he was an uneducated man from Ur, who wandered for twenty-five years in the Middle Eastern desert, with his people, possessions and animals. He was a nomad. He was a frustrated old man walking with an unbelieving and ever nagging barren woman. Modern man will even call him a loser.
God considered Abraham to be his friend! When God thought about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, he said “How can I hide this from Abrahamâ€. The God of the universe is not obliged to any one, but still he considered himself obliged to Abraham! Why did God ask this aging man to wander around? What is the purpose of these purposeless wanderings? The clue is in the above passage from the bible.
God gave authority to Abraham, over every inch of land where his sandals touched. What a great promise. Abraham had to walk the length and the breadth of the land to claim authority over it. In the centuries that followed, the descendants of Abraham occupied every inch of that land. Today, every one who considers Abraham as a patriarch can see his profound effect on human history for ever. Every Christian and Jew claims their lineage from Abraham. The spiritual authority of Abraham spans the entire globe!
Mighty eagles spread out their long wings. Their wings are full of feathers and are of diverse colors. They fly over huge landscapes at the command of their master. Their huge shadows fall on the landscape. God gives them spiritual authority over the land where their shadows fall. Abraham was a mighty eagle, who claimed authority over the land where his shadows fell. And we, followers of Christ, are all called to be mighty eagles for God.
