My Son the Biblical Scholar! (or, a 2 year old reads the Bible)
Earlier today while my wife was at work my 2 year old son asked that I read to him. After a series of Scooby Doo books 
he brought me a real goodie . . . Who’s Who in the Old Testament (cover pictured at left). There are pictures of animals on each page–fish, lions, birds, dogs, etc.–and he loves to identify the animals. He’s a very sharp two year old!
As we were reading along we came to one of the final pages, I believe on Daniel, and we were naming off the various things in the pictures. He very easily identified the “lion” when I pointed to it. He then, however, continued to insist there was a “birdie” in the picture when there clearly was not. I asked him where the birdie was, and he pointed, without hesitation . . . to an angel floating in the sky! It was hilarious. I guess an angel does fulfill some of the basic requirements a two year old would have for a “birdie” — wings and in the sky. That is some sound exegesis!
So, what did I learn today? Angels are really “birdies.” My son . . . the biblical scholar!
(for another example of my son’s religious views, see HERE)
I’m persuaded. After all, angels are “messengers” (malʾakim), and birds too may act as messengers (Eccles. 10:20). Two things equal to the same thing are equal to another. QED. Smart lad!
October 24, 2009 at 8:11 pm
This could change the face of OT studies!
October 24, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Brooke and Jason: Thanks! I think I have my SBL paper topic for next year – “Angels as Birdies: The Function and Development of Divine Messengers in Toddler Picture Books.”
Hmmm . . . what program unit is the best fit?
October 25, 2009 at 8:24 am