Why would God “give” prey to carnivorous animals (Psalm 104:21) if the world was originally described as “very good” (Genesis 1:31)? WHY WOULD GOD “GIVE” PREY TO CARNIVOROUS ANIMALS (Psalm 104:21) IF THE WORLD WAS ORIGINALLY DESCRIBED AS “VERY GOOD” (Genesis 1:31)? I. OVERVIEW OF THE QUESTION The question arises from two scriptural statements. In Genesis 1:31, “God looked upon all that He had made, and indeed, it was very good.” Yet Psalm 104:21 describes, “The young lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God.” This seems to create tension: How can a good creation include predation? II. THE ORIGINAL “VERY GOOD” CREATION Genesis 1 emphasizes that humanity and the animals were originally sustained by plant life. Genesis 1:29–30 states, “Then God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant…They will be yours for food. And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air…everything that has the breath of life in it, I have given every green plant for food.’” Within this original design, death and predatory behavior are not described. Rather, everything is declared to be “very good” (Genesis 1:31). III. THE ENTRANCE OF SIN AND ITS CONSEQUENCES 1. The Fall of Humanity Genesis 3 recounts the moment when sin entered the world through human disobedience. According to Romans 5:12, “Just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.” This passage clarifies that death was not part of the created world until sin occurred. 2. Subjection of Creation to Futility Romans 8:20–21 states, “For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free.” The Fall affected not only humans but all of creation. The harmony described in the original creation gave way to conflict, disease, and death, including carnivorous behavior. IV. THE DEVELOPMENT OF PREDATORY BEHAVIOR 1. Post-Fall Changes in Ecology Scripture suggests that after the Fall, physical corruption entered the created order. Over time, animals adapted to the altered conditions. Certain anatomical features—claws, sharp teeth, and other traits—are now observed to fit a predatory lifestyle. From a historical standpoint, this reflects creation broken by sin. 2. Biblical Evidence of Changed Diets Genesis 9:2–3 indicates a further shift after the Flood: “The fear and dread of you will fall upon every beast of the earth…and they are delivered into your hand. Everything that lives and moves will be food for you.” This shift hints that the relationship between humans and animals, and presumably between animals themselves, had become drastically different from the state described in Genesis 1. V. THE SOVEREIGNTY AND PROVIDENCE OF GOD 1. God’s Provision in a Fallen World Psalm 104:21 says, “The young lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God.” Even within a fallen environment, God’s providence remains. Job 38–39 also highlights God’s care for all creatures, including those that hunt. God’s sustaining power does not imply His approval of the corrupted state of the world; it indicates His mercy and governance in the midst of human sin and brokenness. 2. A Framework of God’s Justice and Mercy In the post-Fall world, death and predation exist, but Scripture emphasizes God’s ultimate plan of redemption. The provision of food—even for carnivorous animals—underscores His care for creation despite its corruption. This care rests on God’s character: He is both just and merciful, allowing nature’s processes while working out a greater plan of cosmic restoration. VI. FUTURE RESTORATION AND THE PROMISE OF PEACE 1. Prophetic Visions of Harmony Passages such as Isaiah 11:6–9 point to a future new creation where “The wolf will live with the lamb…They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain.” This vision indicates that the present state, with predation and death, is temporary. God promises to restore harmony, eradicating the ravages of sin. 2. The Culmination in the New Heavens and New Earth Revelation 21:4 declares, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death.” The ultimate transformation of creation will reflect the goodness of the original design, now permanently free from the curse of sin and its consequences. VII. CONSISTENCY WITH THE BIBLICAL TIMELINE 1. The Young Earth Perspective Many who accept a straightforward reading of the biblical timeline note that the geological and fossil record can be interpreted to align with a catastrophic global flood and subsequent rapid adaptation, fitting a young-earth framework. Certain present-day carnivorous behaviors would have emerged or intensified in the post-Fall, post-Flood world. 2. Archaeological and Historical Corroborations Archaeological findings, such as ancient flood narratives in various cultures, align with the reality of a global upheaval recorded in Genesis 6–9. These external accounts lend support to the reliability of the biblical record, though they do not always share the Scripture’s theological message. VIII. ANSWERING THE QUESTION DIRECTLY 1. The Bible’s Message Remains Consistent The original world, as God created it, was described as “very good” with no necessity for violent predation. Only after the entrance of sin and the resulting corruption of creation did carnivorous behavior become an ongoing reality. 2. God’s Provision in a Broken System Psalm 104:21 does not portray an original state of predation but underscores that, even in a fallen world, God provides for all creatures. This provision is an enduring aspect of His character, ensuring that the world continues to function despite the pervasive effects of sin. 3. Hope Rooted in Future Restoration While predation and death are stark realities now, Scripture consistently points forward to a time when God will restore all things. What was lost through sin will be restored through His redemptive plan, culminating in a renewed creation without death or violence. IX. PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS 1. Acknowledging the Brokenness Around Us Observing predation and suffering should sober us to the severity of sin’s impact. Rather than contradicting God’s goodness, these realities highlight humans’ need for redemption and point to the hope of a restored creation. 2. Reflecting on God’s Greater Purpose In the interim, God sustains life on earth, weaving a redemptive story that includes humanity’s salvation through Christ’s resurrection. The promise of a future free from pain, suffering, and predation underscores that this present state is neither eternal nor in its final form. X. CONCLUSION Psalm 104:21 describes the reality of the present, fallen creation, while Genesis 1:31 reveals the original perfection before sin. Both passages stand in harmony when viewed through the lens of a creation subjected to corruption by sin yet still sustained by God’s providence. The ultimate resolution awaits the future restoration promised in Scripture, when all things will again reflect the full goodness of the One who made them. |
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