For some unknown reason, my parents never let me have pets. Growing up several of my friends had dogs, cats, snakes, and other animals but I could not have one. My parents most likely did not want the mess, fur, and the waste around the back yard. I really did not mind the idea of an animal around the house, but I think my parent’s did not like the concept of an dirty animal walking around the house with us.
In ancient times, people and animals lived close together. Throughout the Bible we see animals playing a role in God’s creation and God’s people. Animals are mentioned from Genesis to Revelation. For a complete list of animals in the Bible check this out. What we might not realize is that we can learn valuable insight from these animal stories. Scripture teaches us that:
God created all the animals (Psalm 104).
“Then God commanded, ‘Let the earth produce all kinds of animal life; domestic and wild, large and small, and it was done. So God made them all, and He was pleased with what He saw.” Genesis 1:24, 25
All animals belong to God (Psalm 24:1).
“All the animals in the forest are Mine and the cattle on thousands of hills. All the wild birds are Mine and all living things in the fields.” Psalm 50:10, 11
God cares for the animals (1 John 4:16).