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God Saved More Animals than Humans from the Flood: What Can We Learn by Studying Them?
When the “Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove” upon Christ, John could not contain himself and got to bare witness of the marvelous event. (Matt 3:16).
The sheep is the emblem of the Christian. In Old Testament times, sheep were clean and edible, because they chewed the cud and had cloven hooves.
So too are we sheep in Christ’s sheepfold as we “chew the cud” and meditate on His Word. We also are “cloven-footed” as we live in this world, but our hearts long for Heaven.
All The Animals of the Bible is the most complete reference book on the subject. A must for every student of the Bible, this reference book contains original Greek and Hebrew names as well as Strong concordance numbers and definitions.
A LITTLE ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born and raised in a Christian home in northwestern NC, Leila accepted Christ at an early age. A lifelong love and compassion for God’s animals was the impetus for this book. After earning her degree in Religious Studies from Regent University, she pursued a career in writing Christian books, which are both educational and inspirational. She and her husband live on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC.
EXCERPT PREVIEW
When I read and study God’s Word, I cannot help but notice how often animals are mentioned. When I go to the zoo or visit a national park, I am in awe of God’s majesty as I see the various animals. Their uniqueness in color, hairstyles, and personalities continue to amaze me. I often wonder just how in the world Adam and Eve could have disobeyed God and eaten of the forbidden fruit when they had all of those wonderful animals to play with. Have you ever stopped to realize that the first job given to man was to name the animals? In Psalm 104, we find that God’s care for the animals is timeless. John Jefferson Davis says that “this psalm is one of the most extensive celebrations of creation in the Scriptures.” (Davis, p. 271)
“He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field; the wild asses quench their thirst. By them the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth, And wine which maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart. The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which He hath planted; Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies. He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labor until the evening. O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom has thou made all: the earth is full of thy riches. So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. There to the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein. These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth. The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.” (Ps. 104:10-31).
When writing about this passage of Scripture, John Calvin wrote, “He asserts, that by the watering of which he had spoken the trees are satiated, or filled with sap, that thus flourishing they may be a place of abode to the birds. He next declares, that the wild deer and conies have also their places of shelter, to show that no part of the world is forgotten by Him, who is the best of fathers, and that no creature is excluded from His care.” (Calvin, p.160). All of God’s creation consists of animals in some form or another—whether it is the tiny earthworm that can create wonderful fertilizer or help us to catch a big fish from the hook, or the giant albatross that travels thousands of miles each year to feed her young. I can easily forget to make sure that my animals have all of their extra toys, water, and food; but God never forgets the needs of even one animal that He created. How much more does He care for our every breath, morsel of food, and fulfillment of happiness?
John saw Jesus and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” (John 1:29). Notice the contrast of Jesus’ meekness as a lamb to Peter’s words about the devil, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (I Pet. 5:8). When God created the animals, He knew that they would be with us for all of time. After He created them, “God saw that it was good.” (Gen. 1:25). In the Book of Revelation, just before Satan is bound, we still find animals, “And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” (Rev. 19:21). From the beginning to the end, we have God’s creatures among us. Some are to be taken home and loved endlessly (like our dogs), others are to be admired from afar (like the Grizzly Bear)—all are part of God’s blessings.
Just what is the message to our hearts from the Word of God about His creatures? Some cultures worship certain animals. Even the Native Americans used to think that certain creatures had special symbolism. Were they right? When God said, “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself,” we know that it was a symbolic statement of His protection during the exodus. (Ex 19:4).
Are we always to be like sheep? When they fall down, they do not get up; they merely lay there waiting for death, until someone comes along and puts them back on their feet. Alternatively, are we to be courageous and brave like the mighty lion, roaring to the heavens for our wants? Should we simply wait upon the Lord for all of our needs, or should we use the talents He gave us to glorify Him always in the best way we know how? We know that He has a plan for each of us, and He provides a righteous pathway to follow. A closer look at the animals in the Bible can provide some guidance to deepen our understanding of His love and His will for us.
Most of us rely on animal meat for meals and their fur or skins for clothing, yet the thoughts of any animal mistreatment are reprehensible to us. Scripture reminds us, “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” (Prov. 12:10). Whether it is cattle or fish for food, a dog as a pet, a camel or horse for transportation, a pack mule for cargo, or badger skins for roofing, animals are God’s creations which we have dominion over, and He expects us to take good care of them.
The Ten Commandments include a great deal about how to care for animals. The Sabbath Day Commandment demands not working the animals. We are not to covet our neighbor’s animals. Loving our neighbor includes stopping to help their animals in need. The unnamed servant knew Rebekah was to be Isaac’s wife when she gave the camel water to drink. When the Lord brought judgment on a city, the animals were stricken also. Typical blessings from the Lord included an increase in cattle, sheep, camels, oxen, and horses. We like to believe that our Lord Jesus Himself rode on a donkey while still in Mary’s womb, and we never see a manger scene without God’s creatures on display. We know from Scripture that He rode a colt when entering Jerusalem. Meticulous details were involved when sacrificing animals in the Old Testament. They were to be only the best of the flock—in prime condition, and they were never to be tortured. Yet, when man crucified Christ (the ultimate sacrifice for our sins), He was treated horribly—tortured and mocked. Christ was treated worse than any of the people treated their own livestock. Scripture tells us that Christ is the Lamb of God and the King of Judah (the lion’s whelp).
We live in a time when it is easier to hear of a person being beaten than to hear of an animal being mistreated. This book is intended to shed some light on this mind-set.
