Jewel # 315 (March 27, 2018)

“And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I

make up MY JEWELS.”

(Malachi 3:17)

To my dear grandchildren

The Golden Eagle

“Ye have seen . . . how I bare you on eagles’ wings,

and brought you unto Myself.”

(Exodus 19:4)

The national emblem of the United States is a beautiful bald eagle accompanied by the words, "IN GOD WE TRUST.”  This gives the message that the country is strong and “in good hands.”  It would be wonderful if more people could honestly say, “IN GOD WE TRUST,” wouldn’t it?

The golden  eagle is just as impressive a bird, with its dark brown feathers and a patch of golden brown feathers on the back of its head and neck.  It has a sharp, down-turned beak, as well as contrasting yellow feet on which long, curving toes with sharp claws provide fierce weapons.  It is one of the largest birds of prey in North America, with a wingspread of 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 feet.  They are generally found in northern  Europe and Asia and in the western United States and Canada.

In contrast to the bald eagle that eats mostly dead animals, the golden eagle prefers live food.  It is an excellent hunter of snakes, mice, squirrels, rabbits and other young animals, as well as fish and eels.  It soars high in the air and with keen eyes spots its victim moving about.  Then it swoops down at terrific speed to capture it, with the victim probably never knowing what caught it. An eagle will also rob ospreys and other birds flying with a fish or other food in their beaks, frightening them into dropping the food. The eagle then catches the falling food and takes it to its nest for its mate or eaglets.

These birds mate for life and are very affectionate to one another.  They return year after year to the same nest, making necessary repairs and adding new sticks and soft grass and leaves for a fresh lining.  A new nest may be only 3 feet across, whereas an old one may be 8, 10 or even 20 feet across.

The 2 or 3 eggs laid each year are creamy coloured, spotted with brown or gray marks and are incubated for more than a month.  Both parents take turns sitting on the nest.  After hatching, the little eaglets first get food popped into their mouths by the parents, but before long they learn how to feed themselves by tearing apart the captured food.  They also get lots of practice flapping their wings and jumping up and down before actually flying.  After learning to fly, they stay with the parents several months before being on their own.

This Bible verse tells us of the Lord’s care over those who are weak: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles” (Isaiah 40:31).  The eagle’s care over its young ones is good, but the Lord’s care over boys and girls, as well as men and women, is far greater.  Do you ever thank Him?

Love you all - Grandpa