Every Beast of the Earth!

November 20, 2021 in Today's Devotion by TGV

Genesis 1, (1-BSG-1Y)/ How has the chapter challenged or moved you? God’s Providential Care/ Theme: Every Beast of the Earth!

Key Text: “Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so.” (Genesis 1:30, NKJV)


 

The Bible teaches that God cares about every part of His creation—including the animals. When God made “the beast of the earth according to its kind, the cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind,” He pronounced them “good” (Gen. 1:25), and they belong to Him (Ps. 50:10). One of the signs of a righteous man is that he takes care of his animals (Prov. 12:10). If God expects humans to care for animals, how much more will He care for them?

Does God care about animal kingdom? Yes. God has ordained natural laws that operate to produce food for all of His creation (Ps. 145:15, 16; 147:9). Thus, God cares for the basic needs of His animals. Indeed all living creatures: livestock, creeping things, wild beasts, birds, etc. (cf. Gen 1:24-26).

In addition, God gave specific instruction in the Old Testament of how He expected the Israelites to be good stewards of the animals in their care – [1] The Israelites were instructed that oxen were not to be muzzled while stamping out the grain from the chaff (Deut. 25:4), that they might enjoy the fruits of their labor (1 Tim. 5:18); [2] God commanded that mercy was to be shown to animals in need, even if they were not your own: “You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fall down along the road, and hide yourself from them; you shall surely help him lift them up again” (Deut. 22:4); [3] God commanded that animals should rest on the Sabbath (Ex. 20:8-11; 23:12). Part of “keeping the Sabbath  holy” includes “rest” for your cattle,” and “the stranger who is within your gates” (Ex. 20:10); [4] Every seventh year the land was not to be sown or reaped for food, but was to be given a year to recuperate and to provide food for the poor and animals (Lev. 25:1-7; Ex. 23:10-11); [5] The needs of animals were to be met: “know well the condition of your flocks, And pay attention to your herds” (Prov. 27:23).

Now let us go back to our Key Text, (Gen 1:30). From the creation account, we see that God not only provided food for Man, but also He made provision for the beasts – “every beast of the earth.” Does God take care for oxen, birds, etc. Yes, He does! In this text, He provided food convenient for them. In fact, even the young lions and the young ravens are the care of his providence. The Psalmist affirms, He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call” (Ps. 147:9; cf. Ps. 34:10; 104:21: Job 38:41). In other words, they cry out and have their meat (provision) from God.

Devotional Implication: Jesus challenged us, asking an important question: “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God!” (Luke 12:6) Aren’t we better than, worth more than, these sparrows? How much more can God do to His obedient children, created in “His own” image? (Gen 1:26-27). In Matthew 6, we are told to “consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin” (Mt 6:29), yet they are nourished and grow well. Beloved, Christ desires that we place our lives and needs in God’s hands, refusing to worry over basic needs. If His creation feeds even the birds (Mt 6:26), then He certainly can do much more to us: “Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (Mt 6:30)

“Let us give to God the glory of his bounty to the inferior creatures, that all are fed, as it were, at his table, every day. He is a great housekeeper, a very rich and bountiful one, that satisfies the desire of every living thing. Let this encourage God’s people to cast their care upon him, and not to be solicitous respecting what they shall eat and what they shall drink. He that provided for Adam without his care, and still provides for all the creatures without their care, will not let those that trust him want any good thing, Mt. 6:26. He that feeds his birds will not starve his babes.” –(Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible/ Genesis, p. 7).


 

Have a Good Night: “I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.” (Psalm 37:25, NKJV) “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, NKJV)

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