“Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD” Jeremiah 8:7

The “stork” is like the crane, but larger in size. They are large birds with long legs, toes webbed at the base, and a strong, straight, pointed bill longer than the head. Two species of the storks are found in Israel. One of the species is white in colour and it is found in pairs over the whole country. The other which is black in colour lives in large flocks, in marshy places. They migrate to Israel periodically (about the 22nd of March). Psalm 104:17 refers to their nest making habits: “Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.”

Jeremiah alludes to these migratory habits of the stork. He also mentions the migratory habits of other birds, such as the crane and swallow. At the appointed time, they return. They normally return at the same time every year to make their nests. They return and re-occupy their old nests. Even migratory birds observe the time of their migration, but the Lord says that His people ignore the time when they are expected to return to their God. The people manifest even less wisdom than a bird!

The migratory birds sense God’s timing by noticing the change in climate. How about you, children? Do you observe the Lord’s clear indications to you and return to Him? When the evening comes, do you get back home to pray and eat with the family? Do you return to do your homework? Do you keep the appointed times of worship and fellowship? Remember, you are expected to behave better than birds. So, children, be obedient to the Lord. Return to your God-given responsibilities and duties, lest the Lord condemns you.