The Spirit is a dove. So is the Bride in the Song, since she is her Lover’s inspiration and since she is formed by the Dove into the image of the Dove, so that the Bride and the Dove can moan with one voice of longing for the Lover’s return.
Jonah’s name means “dove,” and he flutters over Nineveh like Noah’s dove over the waters of the new world.
The Spirit is also the glory-eagle that carries (Exodus 19:4) hovers over Israel (Deuteronomy 32:11) as they come out of Egypt. Eagles fly high and nest in the heights; they are swift, energetic, and fierce. Eagle enemies swoop onto Israel (Deuteronomy 28:49), snipping off a branch from the tree to replant far away (Ezekiel 17). The Spirit must be an eagle to wrench Israel away from Pharaoh.
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