When God created the fish and birds He blessed them (Genesis 1:21-22). When God made the livestock, creeping things, and beasts of the earth, He saw that it was good (Genesis 1:24-25). God has always cared about all creatures, great and small. Noah is even commanded to bring animals into the ark to survive God’s wrath (Genesis 6). God not only cares for His creation, He uses His creatures to teach us about Him! Consider these few examples:
- God used the story of a lamb to humble King David in 2 Samuel 12. When David became enraged at the mistreatment of a family and this lamb, he declared, “As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die!” (2 Sam. 12:5). Nathan’s response: “You are the man!” (2 Sam. 12:7). David was the guilty abuser of the lamb and the family.
- God designed some animals to teach wisdom! Proverbs 6:6 – Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.
- God’s concern for Nineveh did not extend to the people alone. The book ends with a rhetorical question from Him: “And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their life, and also much cattle?” (Jonah 4:11). God cared for the cattle!
- God’s loving providence for us is beautifully displayed in His care for birds (Matthew 6:26; 10:29).
- Jesus, the Son of God is called both the Lamb of God (John 1:29) and the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5). Jesus is both the sacrificial Lamb, and the Lordly Lion! He laid down His life for us, and taking it up again He is now King.
Thank God for animals that teach us so much about Him and remind us how much He cares for us!
– LS
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