“On Eagles’ Wings”

“You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.”

Exodus 19:4

As the Lord began to reveal his intentions for his covenant with Israel, he reminded the people that he had saved them from the Egyptians. The image of being carried on eagles’ wings is a powerful one, even if scholars are not exactly sure what kind of large-winged bird is denoted by the Hebrew word nesher. We picture a mighty, majestic mother bird carrying her young, protecting and guiding them. That’s how the Lord brought his people out of Egypt.

It’s important for us to note that while the Lord’s covenant with Israel will involve contingency—God will bless the people if they obey him—the basis for this covenant is God’s amazing grace. He saved Israel before the covenant was established, not on the basis of Israel’s good works, but on the foundation of his faithfulness and mercy. It is common to think of the old covenant as one of law. Indeed, the law is absolutely central to Israel’s covenant faithfulness. But even the old covenant itself is based on grace, not on law.

What’s true of the old covenant is also true of the new covenant, perhaps even more profoundly. God established the terms of our covenant with him: we have relationship with him through the shed blood of Christ. This “new covenant” rests on the grace and mercy of God revealed and enacted in the cross of Jesus. Through the cross, God has carried us on eagles’ wings, away from sin and death, and into the new life of his kingdom.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How have you experienced God as an eagle bearing you on its wings? What difference does it make that your relationship with God is based, not on anything you do, but on the grace of God in Christ? Do you live in that grace each day?

PRAYER: O Lord, you have indeed carried me on your wings. By your mercy, you have delivered me from sin and death. You have set me free from their bondage. Once I was a slave, but now I am free to be your servant. Thank you, Lord.

Even as I seek to live faithfully as a child of the new covenant, help me to live each day by grace. May I continue to ride on your wings as you guide and empower me to serve you in every aspect of my life.

All praise be to you, gracious Lord, because you carry me on your wings. Alleluia! Amen.