Today, while looking out my south window, a flock of sparrows settled in my yard. As I watched them, my mind went back to Scripture, and the lesson that He wanted us to learn. Jesus focused particular attention on these little birds, which were rather common, and in the bird species, rather insignificant, but He taught us in these Scriptures that they are not insignificant at all to our Father. He sees each one of these little birds, and cares for them, provides for them. The very nature of these common little birds is their being social, insomuch, that if you saw a sparrow that was by itself, it was a sign of “deep loneliness.”
“I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.” Psalm 102:7
“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father, but the very hairs of your head are numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29:31
“Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7
“Two different words are translated “farthing” in the New Testament. These two words are two different coins. The first is “As”. The Roman “As” dated back to around 280 B.C., and under Augustus it became a copper coin valued at 1/16 of a denarius. It was the lowest continually produced Roman coin, which smaller denominations lie the semis and the quadrans being infrequently minted. In New Testament times the coins weighed about 12 gms. Sometimes it is referred to as an “assarion.”
A farthing would be worth about 2/5 of a cent in American money. You can see from the exchange the value of a sparrow.
It is interesting to note, that even though we consider these little birds insignificant, God notices them. These little birds are special to Him, and He cares for them…..and if He cares for these, the least, how much more does He care for us? “ye are of more value than many sparrows.” No one is insignificant in His eyes, and we are of much more value to Him than one of these little birds. These birds were considered as a pests then, just as they are considered pests today. ….and yet, our Father does not view them in this way.
When looking at these two Scriptures from His Word, if you will notice that in Matthew’s inspired account, “two sparrows were sold for a farthing. Move on to Luke’s inspired account, and you will find “5 sparrows sold for 2 farthings.” It is that extra little sparrow, the fifth that is of special significance. I learned, that because of the insignificance of these little birds, the seller would put in an extra bird for the buyer.
While pondering this a little deeper, notice that God does not prevent the death of one of these little birds. …and just as in us, He does not prevent misfortunes from happening, nor death, but throughout our lives He will provide for His own, comfort His own, watch over His own. We stir about, and many times during the storms of life feel as though we are forgotten, but this lesson about sparrows that our Lord taught, teaches us that it is not the case with our Father. He does not forget His own, and throughout all of our lives, He will provide, if we but trust in Him.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
“The Lord is my Shepherd: I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” Psalm 23
Truly. Our Father cares and provides for His own!
“And have we now forgotten that Powerful Friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance?”
I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth – that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that “except the Lord build they labor in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a bye word down to future age.”
~ Ben Franklin
Eileen Light