It was my observation while reading the book of Exodus – The one true living God said — “You have seen what I did when you were captives of the Egyptians, I placed you on the wing of an Eagle and brought you unto myself.” (paraphrased from Exodus 19:4)

Being on the wing of an eagle tells how Israel achieved freedom — the Hebrew nation was carried from slavery in Egypt to security in the land of promise, from death to life, from hopelessness to the shelter of God. The transition was not by good works. It was not because of courageous fighting and excellent military tactics. It happened because God did it — God carried them on eagle wings to safety.

Borne by wings is a curious visual for God’s deliverance. Why eagle wings? The eagle is labeled in Scripture as “unclean,” that is, not to be used for food (see Leviticus 11:13). Also, it is referred to as a bird of prey in the Word of God. Jesus said — “wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together” (Matthew 24:28 NKJV uses the word Eagle. Some other translations use Vulture).

David, while providing a eulogy for Saul and Jonathan, after they were slain, likens them to the eagle in his observation: “Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives…they were swifter than eagles” (paraphrased from 2 Samuel 1:23). By the strength of its great wings, the eagle can soar to extreme heights and perform unusual feats.

Another remarkable characteristic the eagle displays is its tenderness toward its young. Few other birds are gentler and more attentive while nurturing their young. The nests are built high up on a mountain crag. Both parents deliver nourishment for the eaglets, and when they conduct flight instruction, both parents engage in the training. As a little one takes off from dizzy height and follows the parent in flight, the other parent swoops beneath it and bears the little fellow on its wings when he seems exhausted.

I think – this is the meaning of travel on eagles’ wings. There is no travel mode quite like it. It speaks of our deliverance and our salvation. “On eagles’ wings” tells of what God did for the children of Israel all the way from slavery to freedom, from the brickyards to the Promised Land, from Egypt to Sinai, from death to life, from Egyptian darkness to heaven’s light, from helplessness to the heart of God, all the way from defeat to victory — they made the trip on eagles’ wings. They did not come by their own effort; they did not come out by their own ability. They were extracted from Egypt by God, by the mighty wings of deliverance and victory, God brought them out of that awful place in which they were.

Let us return to our original verse — “You have seen what I did when you were captives of the Egyptians, I placed you on the wing of an Eagle and brought you unto myself.” (paraphrased from Exodus 19:4) This was a nation that was born in slavery and reared in the brickyards of Egypt. I do not recall a group of people as wayward and pessimistic, as the Hebrews. They traveled to Egypt as a small group of seventy people led by their father Jacob. There they had become a great nation. It was time to go home. Our family (Christians) started as twelve followers of Jesus. We have grown a bit. Soon and very soon we will be going home – carried on eagle wings to the streets of gold.

I choose Jesus.