Lessons From a Bird's Nest

# A Lesson from the Bird's Nest

Have you ever seen a bird's nest on a tree branch, with eggs and a mother bird inside, sitting on the eggs? Scientists tell us that most bird species build a nest only once each year, but some species, such as robins, can have up to 4 or 5 nests in one breeding season.[1]

Scientists estimate there are more than 10,000 bird species in the world. They are classified into 44 orders, 253 families, and 2,384 genera. The most common bird species in the world is the chicken. In 2023, it is estimated that the world has approximately 24 billion chickens, while the world population is only about 8 billion people.[2] The rarest bird species in the world is the Junin Grebe, with a population under 250.

In the Bible, there are more than 300 references to bird species, with "doves" being the most frequently mentioned bird (approximately 50 times). In the Old Testament, God gave His people many commandments after He led them into the promised land, in order to restore their spiritual life and the relationship between God and them. Among these commandments, there is a law related to birds and their nests. When God wanted to teach us about compassion, He said, "If you come across a bird's nest beside the road, either in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with the young. You may take the young, but be sure to let the mother go, so that it may go well with you and you may have a long life" (Deuteronomy 22:6-7). There are at least three lessons that God teaches us in these two Bible verses.

**First, we must have compassion for animals.** Compassion means: being kind, benevolent, loving, showing mercy, being empathetic with others, and treating one another gently. Here, God teaches us to have compassion for birds, small creatures that may be weaker than many other animals. When we encounter a bird's nest with eggs or chicks and the mother bird, whether on the road or in a tree, we may take the eggs and the chicks, but we must let the mother bird go. God wants to teach us not to slaughter the birds, but to help them reproduce. If we have compassion for these small birds and animals, then we can have compassion for the people around us. Let us live thankfully toward God, Who is always compassionate with us, by living with compassion toward all people, with a merciful heart, helping others! "For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies" (Psalm 57:10).

**Second, we must not be greedy.** Although the possessions God gives us—the birds of the air and the fish of the sea—we may take the eggs or the chicks, but we must let the mother bird go, because the mother bird can lay more eggs and raise more chicks. If we eat both the mother bird and the chicks, there will be no more offspring. Everything requires moderation, not excess, not greed, but knowing that God always provides abundantly. "But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that" (1 Timothy 6:8); "do not be greedy" (Romans 13:9); "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you'" (Hebrews 13:5).

**Third, we must be faithful and obedient to God in small things.** This commandment is regarded by many as a small commandment among the 613 commandments, but God had it written in the Bible to teach us about faithfulness in small matters. We must keep the small commandments so that we may keep the greater ones. Let us live as a "good and faithful servant," so that we may please God and hear Him say to us, "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" (Matthew 25:23).

How can we show compassion toward animals, birds, and small creatures? We should know that all animals were created by the almighty God on the fifth day of creation (Genesis 1:20-23). Therefore, we must cherish them and manage them according to God's will—according to His teachings. Let us be compassionate, merciful, and not greedy, even for a small creature, but always obey God and be faithful in small things, so that God may be pleased, bless us, and allow us to live long on earth!

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever" (Psalm 118:1). Let us obey God and live with compassion as He is always compassionate toward us. The apostle Peter urges, "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble" (1 Peter 3:8).

May God help us always live according to His teachings, help us imitate God and live with compassion toward all people and all creatures, offer to God the very best, a heart of submission as we serve Him faithfully with all our heart and all our strength; so that God's name may be glorified and many may know God through our lives! Amen!

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**Prayer to God—the Triune God,** **Help me cast off my selfishness,** **Help me live with love,** **With compassion, generosity, seeing both near and far!** **That I may glorify Your name,** **For You are the God of boundless compassion!** **Help others, forget what is mine,** **Through Your abundant power every day and month!**

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