The smallest bone in the human body is the stapes or stirrup bone located in the middle ear. It is approximately .11 inches (.28 cm) long. The longest cells in the human body are the motor neurons. They can be up to 4.5 feet (1.37 meters) long and run from the lower spinal cord to the big toe.
This is a very beautiful and innocent bird, and no one is mentioned more frequently in the Bible. It does not live upon the flesh of animals: so when Noah sent one out of the ark, she soon came back again, because she could find nothing to eat, and no rest for the sole of her foot.
The Holy Spirit once condescended to take the form of a dove, when he rested upon Christ at the time of his baptism. Our Savior speaks of the innocence of this bird when he says to his disciples, “I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”
This bird has a very sweet but mournful voice; and this is referred to in the Bible. Hezekiah, one of the Jewish kings, had been very sick and expected to die; but as he lay on his bed, he prayed that God would be pleased to spare his life.
God heard his prayer, and promised that he should live fifteen years longer; and soon after he became quite well. He was grateful to God for his goodness, and wrote a beautiful song of praise to be sung in the temple.
Among other things he told how he felt when he lay so sick upon his bed. He says, “Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter; I did mourn as a dove.”
The turtle-dove is a bird of passage. It appears in Judea early in the spring, when the leaves are coming out, the flowers opening, and every thing looking lovely and beautiful. This will explain some verses in the Song of Solomon, “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away, for lo ! the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle (or turtle-dove) is heard in our land.”
It remains until summer is gone; and then flies away to a warmer climate to spend the winter. It is in reference to this that David says, “Oh ! that I had wings like a dove ! for then would I flee away, and be at rest; lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness; I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.” You will find these beautiful verses in the 55th Psalm.
Who would not wish to be like the gentle, peaceful dove?
My Story:
I was watching two turtle doves on the roof of my garage. Both birds were eating seeds that were on the roof. I laughed when I saw the male bird try to eat a seed. He knocked it off the roof instead. What I laughed about was what happened next. The female bird pecked the head of the male dove. I could just imagine their conversation.
Comments (12)
LOL thanks Randy I really enjoyed this post. Ang
Hehe the female turtle dove is cute
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And thanks for sharing the beautiful verses. I needed to read it (you know why).
Randy,
As a bird lover I say BEAUTIFUL POST!!!!! I really LOVE Mourning Doves, always have, even before I was saved. GREAT post here…….THANK YOU for tracing out “Doves in Scripture”.
BTW, the Lord DID bless me Sunday……thank you for praying.
Chet
we have alot of doves this summer -even after the dove season here( if you know what I mean.)They don’t seem to be afraid of humans at all and just sit and watch me.
I first thought you were going to say and that’s why all the baby boomers are going deaf.
that is sweet entry about the doves.
Yeah, they are definitely one of the more pretty birds to me….I love them – so gentle and peaceful.
Cooo Cooo. Dove’s are fascinating.
We have a pair of turtle doves living in our yard. They don’t seem to squabble much.
Ha! There’s a couple that I see all winter on the fence along-side my patio. When it is extremely cold, they nestle on the door ledge, when I come home, they are there to greet me…I have yet to capture a picture of them! Lovely post, I really enjoyed it!
Thanks, and hugs, Lowie
What a beautiful post, and I totally laughed at what you said in the end about the male and female dove!
what a precious story about doves
I *smile* for I learned something
new this visit
Kind of like a hen pecker ! Oh thats probably what she was.