This year is an exciting year for our family, as our youngest Miles is attending GCC. He has officially started prep. He like many others who started their journey last year attended various preview days. One of his favourite things was receiving his very own stuffed “Elliott the Eagle.” Our family was heading to North America over the Christmas break and after seeing previous families travel overseas through the socials, Elliott became our closest companion. He travelled with us from New Orleans to Niagara Falls testing out beignets, poboys, snowboarding, ziplining and even caught an NBA game.
The eagle is our college mascot and that comes directly from the Bible:
But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
(Isaiah 40:31)
This verse is an integral part of our school history when early dreamers believed a school in rural Beerwah could even be a possibility. Those early days were not always easy but a team from Glasshouse Country Baptist Church believed God would carry them on eagle wings. Isaiah 40:31 is our verse this year for our 25th anniversary. Even though the College is much larger now than its humble beginnings, we still believe in trusting the Lord, he will energize us.
The word translated “Eagle” in the English Bible comes from the original Hebrew word “Neser” or נֶשֶׁר which can be translated into many different birds of prey. The same word “Neser” was used by the ancient Israelites to describe many different larger predatory birds: the falcon, crow, hawk, eagle, vulture and different owls. The bird that is of particular interest is the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) because it is a bird that carries their young on their wings in nature. Some Bible scholars believe the prophet Isaiah describes God’s care akin to the way a vulture cares for its young. When ancient Israelites read that text a particular bird would have immediately come to mind because they would have witnessed that trait in person. Perhaps that bird was not the Golden Eagle but instead the Griffon Vulture.
We don’t like to think of God as a “Vulture” because, in our Western mind, they are known as dirty scavengers, but they are quite noble, incredibly strong creatures with a wingspan of up to 2.8 metres. I think Disney’s Jungle Book and Looney Toons have given us a lesser view of the vulture. Today, people can even refer to someone as a “vulture” if they negatively affect the relationships around them. The ancient Israelites viewed the vultures differently, as a necessity to their whole ecosystem.
The truth is today we can never really know whether the prophet was describing an eagle or a vulture. I just thought it was interesting that in another world our mascot could be a vulture – introducing “Vinny the Vulture”. Equally, I think the eagle works better because our view of eagles is held in high esteem across many cultures appearing on coats of arms or even in the national seal.
Regardless of whether the verse is talking about an eagle or a vulture, the point of the scripture is that God will carry those who trust in him. When life gets tough, we can depend on him to sustain us. May God carry us for another 25 years.
Syd Moore, College Lead Pastor