BIRDS OF THE BIBLE

9. The Turtledove – Bird of Love

“O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever”

Psalm 74:19
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We have already looked at the dove, the bird of salvation. The dove represents God’s redeemed people, the church. To them Jesus says with loving voice, “O my dove” (Song 2:14). Jesus delights in his people and they in him. To believers Jesus Christ is “altogether lovely” (Song 5:16).

In love Jesus died on the cross for the sins of his people, to save them from the hell they deserve. Now he lovingly seeks and finds each one of his people by the gospel. And when he brings them to himself in conversion he lovingly cleanses them and makes them holy like himself. Then he has great joy in them.

The turtledove is a special sort of wild dove with a gentle nature and a soft, cooing voice. It gathers in flocks and because of its pleasant character these birds have often been kept as favourites. The turtledove can teach us about the love between Christ and his people.

First there is the call of love. God’s people are sinners just like others. We have no life in our souls. Though we may read the Bible and hear the gospel preached plainly and with much pleading, we will not turn from our sins if left to ourselves. Spiritually everything is dead, just as it is in the winter. What Jesus said to Nicodemus is true for us all: “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7).

Spring is the season of new life. What are its signs? In the Bible we read: “The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land” (Song 2:12). Among the many voices which we sinners may hear there is one which speaks from heaven and is sweet and inviting like the turtledove. It is Jesus calling us by his Spirit. Have you heard his voice?

When the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts through the gospel it is with a powerful, irresistible voice that wakens us from our sleep in sin. Our souls live again. Then we realise we are sinners. Then we see how suitable a Saviour Jesus is for us. And we repent of our sins and embrace Christ in the arms of faith. It is “the time of love” (Ezek.16:8) and we begin to walk hand in hand with Christ.

Then there is the cost of love. We know what it cost for Jesus Christ to save us, but do we understand that there is also a cost in following him? Jesus said: “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34). We cannot buy salvation, but if we are saved then there will be a change in our lives. We will want to show how grateful we are to God for his mercy and grace.

Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: “Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1Cor.6:20). There is only one way to glorify God and that is by obeying him. “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). What does our Lord Jesus Christ expect to see in the lives of his people?

He wants to see the likeness of the turtledove. It is known for its purity. It is careful in its habits and how it looks in the sight of others. It is known for its modesty. It is shy in its appearance and does not parade itself proudly. It is known for its beauty. Its gentle voice and character draw the admiration of many. All in all it is an innocent bird and a threat to none. Are we like this in our lives?

Finally there is the commitment of love. In this world there is much false affection and little real love. True love includes a determination to persevere with those we love, through bad times as well as good. Christ and his people have covenanted or made promises to be faithful to each other.

Could anyone hate the turtledove? Hardly – yet there are many who hate Christ’s turtledove, the church. Because sincere Christians lead holy lives others may feel uncomfortable about their sins. Often they will oppose the true church strongly. Like believers before us we may begin to feel something like a defenceless dove, very weak against its powerful enemies. Then we will cry to the Lord in the words of Scripture, “O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked” (Psa.74:19).

What a wonderful discovery the Christian makes when he looks upward in faith! He finds that in Jesus Christ he has “a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Prov.18:24). Though we fail so often to serve God as we should we are in the tender care of a loving and faithful Saviour, who is able to overcome all our foes.

John says of Jesus, “We love him, because he first loved us” (1John 4:19). When we truly love Christ we will want to follow him and please him in all things. The turtledove is faithful to its mate even until death. Will we be that faithful to our true Friend, Jesus Christ?