Natural history, as it pertains to the Bible, encompasses the study and understanding of the natural world as described in the Scriptures. The Bible, while primarily a spiritual and theological text, provides numerous insights into the natural world, reflecting the ancient Hebrews' understanding of creation, flora, fauna, and the environment. The biblical narrative often uses elements of natural history to convey spiritual truths and divine principles.

Creation and the Natural Order

The Bible begins with the account of creation in Genesis, where God creates the heavens and the earth in six days. This foundational narrative establishes the natural order and the inherent goodness of creation. Genesis 1:31 states, "God saw all that He had made, and it was very good." The creation account emphasizes the intentionality and purpose behind the natural world, with each element serving a specific role within God's design.

Flora and Fauna

The Bible frequently references various plants and animals, often using them symbolically or as part of parables. For example, the cedars of Lebanon are mentioned for their grandeur and strength (Psalm 92:12), while the lilies of the field illustrate God's provision and care (Matthew 6:28-30). The diversity of animal life is also highlighted, from the domesticated sheep and oxen to the wild creatures like the lion and the eagle. In Job 12:7-10, the natural world is portrayed as a testament to God's wisdom and power: "But ask the animals, and they will instruct you; ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you... In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."

The Environment and Stewardship

The Bible underscores humanity's responsibility to care for and steward the earth. In Genesis 2:15, Adam is placed in the Garden of Eden "to work it and take care of it," establishing a precedent for environmental stewardship. This theme is echoed throughout Scripture, where the land is seen as a gift from God, to be used wisely and sustainably. The Sabbatical year and the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25) further illustrate the importance of allowing the land to rest and rejuvenate, reflecting a divine mandate for ecological balance.

Natural Phenomena and Divine Intervention

Natural phenomena, such as weather patterns and celestial events, are often depicted as instruments of God's will. The parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22), the great flood (Genesis 7), and the plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12) are examples where natural events are intertwined with divine intervention. These narratives serve to demonstrate God's sovereignty over creation and His ability to use the natural world to fulfill His purposes.

Symbolism and Metaphor

The Bible frequently employs natural imagery to convey spiritual truths. The vine and the branches (John 15:1-8), the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32), and the fig tree (Mark 11:12-14) are just a few examples where natural elements are used metaphorically to illustrate principles of faith, growth, and judgment. These symbols draw from the natural world to communicate deeper theological insights, making the natural history of the Bible rich with meaning and significance.

Conclusion

The natural history within the Bible reflects a worldview that sees the natural world as an integral part of God's creation, imbued with purpose and meaning. Through its depictions of creation, flora, fauna, and natural phenomena, the Bible provides a framework for understanding the relationship between God, humanity, and the environment.Natural History

NATURAL HISTORY

his'-to-ri.

See ANIMAL; BOTANY; BIRDS; FISH; INSECTS; ZOOLOGY.

On the Educational Value of the Natural History Sciences.
... V. ON THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SCIENCES. The subject
to which I have to beg your attention during the ensuing ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/v on the educational value.htm

Evolution in General
... the wistful eyes that have gone before, whose reverent ignorance forbade their wisest
minds to ask to see it, this final volume of Natural History has begun to ...
/.../drummond/the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/i evolution in general.htm

A Look into the Hebrew Bible.
... But the Bible has a natural history also. ... That the Bible has a natural as well
as a supernatural history is everywhere assumed upon its pages. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter i a look into.htm

The Contribution of the Natural and Social Sciences
... So it comes to pass that we have a book like Mackintosh's Natural History of the
Christian Religion, 1894, whose avowed purpose is to do away with the ...
/.../chapter v the contribution of.htm

Publications
... Crown 8vo. Cloth boards, 5s. THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. By the Rev. CANON
TRISTRAM, Author of "Bible Places," &c. With numerous Woodcuts. Crown 8vo. ...
/.../publications.htm

The Great Gain of Godliness
... sensibility and the gift of melodious speech; and, added to these manifold endowments,
interest in, and rudimentary knowledge of, natural history and botany ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the great gain of godliness.htm

History of Public Speaking
... of all history. It is encouraging to the student of public speaking to recall that
this distinguished orator at first had serious natural defects to overcome. ...
/.../kleiser/successful methods of public speaking/history of public speaking.htm

Geological Reform.
... For having, in the natural history of this earth, seen a succession of worlds, we
may from this conclude that there is a system in Nature; in like manner as ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/xi geological reform.htm

On the Study of Zoology.
... Natural history is the name familiarly applied to the study of the properties of
such natural bodies as minerals, plants, and animals; the sciences which ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/vi on the study of.htm

Sin and the Divine Reaction against It
... And just because sin is sin, this is not a fact of natural history, or
a fact which natural history can discredit. Scripture has ...
/.../denney/the atonement and the modern mind/chapter ii sin and the.htm

What is the difference between natural evil and moral evil? | GotQuestions.org

What do creationists believe about natural selection? | GotQuestions.org

What is supernaturalism? | GotQuestions.org

Natural: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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