The number one musical hit of 1936 sold several thousand copies of sheet music, and had more live performances and broadcasts than any other song that year. Written as a gospel tune by Reverend Guy Smith and unexpectedly popularized, it was the first of many top-selling recordings made by Roy Acuff. The record he cut skyrocketed him to fame as a star and frequent host on the Grand Ol’ Opry. Roy was one of the first to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The name of this country classic is “The Great Speckled Bird”, based on its mention in Jeremiah 12:9, 10:
“Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour.
Every so often, at a bluegrass festival, on radio, or television, you can hear “The Great Speckled Bird” performed as an “oldie but goodie” timeless favorite.
The speckled bird referred to by Jeremiah is not specifically identified among over four-hundred types of birds that are found in Israel so we don’t know if it was a hawk, owl, dove, or several other species with speckles that would qualify. It’s anybody’s guess. What we are certain of is its use as a symbol of the few people in the time of the weeping prophet who remained righteous while the majority chose to do their own thing in neglect or defiance of God and His Word. The lyrics of the song, born out of Jeremiah’s metaphor, put it this way:
“All the other birds are flocking 'round her
And she is despised by the squad
But the great speckled bird in the Bible
Is one with the great church of God.
All the other churches are against her
They envy her glory and fame
They hate her because she is chosen
And has not denied Jesus' name.
Desiring to lower her standard
They watch every move that she makes
They long to find fault with her teachings
But really they find no mistake.”
Stated in the clear and simple manner that is indicative of country music “The Great Speckled Bird” addresses an issue that has always been a challenge to the people of God in every era of history. It is especially the case in today’s society. It is appropriate to use the prophet’s speckled bird as a representation of that remnant of the today’s professing church who have not compromised the standard of God’s revealed truth, in spite of the many forms of ridicule by which the assault rages.
Current indications point to the probability that more than ever before “other birds will flock around her” and that she will, as the lyrics say, increasingly be “despised by the squad” in the attempt to “lower her standard…longing to find fault with her teachings.” Composer-pastor Guy Smith was aware of such an offensive against the authentic church in the 1930s and in the seven decades since the song was first sung the increase of the onslaught has reached a new intensity.
The “speckled bird” verse in Jeremiah 12:9 is immediately followed by verse ten which, in continuation of the thought the prophet is making, states this interesting comment:
“Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.”
The church—God’s assembly—of Jeremiahs day certainly didn’t need the complication of having certain pastors join in with the other birds who were pecking away at her distinctive doctrines and principles. We, today, could preferably do without that impediment as well, but no such luxury is ours. We need to exercise caution concerning clergymen who destructively peck away at the veracity of God’s word and the righteous standards it articulates and boldly call attention to the wolves who lurk in pulpits and parishes wearing sheep’s clothing.
The last four verses of the original eight verse rendition of “The Great Speckled Bird” affirm the expectation that regardless of the hatred and belligerence of her enemies the true church will experience ultimate victory. Such a Bible-based fact is encouraging, of course, but we need to get a firm grip on the imperative summons to stand in and stand for the uncompromising quality of commitment to truth and righteousness to which we are called by way of God’s old time, new time, all the time, any time Word.
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