TAMING
EAGLES

Topics: Brokenness; Dependence; Ministry; Spiritual Formation; Weakness

References: Psalm 51:17; 102:23; Acts 9:1–19

The capture, taming, training, and keeping of hunting eagles in Asia is highly ritualized. Most of the birds, which have a life span of about forty years, are caught when very young—either snatched from a nest or trapped in a baited net. Once captured, the eagle is hooded and placed in a cage with a perch that sways constantly so it cannot rest or sleep.

For two or three days the eaglet is also deprived of food. During this time, the berkutchi, or eagle hunter, talks, sings, and chants to the bird for hours on end. Finally, the man begins to feed and stroke the bird. Slowly the weakened creature comes to rely on its master. When the berkutchi decides that their relationship has become strong enough, the training begins.

Not all eagles will become hunters, but those who take to life with a master display intense loyalty.

The training and breaking of the eagle may seem harsh, but it is a picture of how over time God breaks our independent spirit to draw us close to him.

—Stephen Kinzer, “A Hunter Whose Weapon Is Also His Friend,” The New York Times (November 4, 1999).