The Bible provides numerous insights into the instincts of animals, often using them as illustrations to convey spiritual truths and moral lessons. From the creation narrative to the wisdom literature, the Scriptures acknowledge the inherent instincts that God has endowed upon animals, reflecting His divine order and wisdom.

Creation and Instincts

In the Genesis account, God creates animals with distinct purposes and abilities. Genesis 1:24-25 states, "And God said, 'Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind.' And it was so." This passage highlights the diversity and complexity of animal life, each with its own set of instincts that enable it to thrive in its environment.

Instincts as Divine Provision

The Bible often portrays animal instincts as part of God's provision for His creation. In Job 39, God challenges Job by describing the instincts of various animals, such as the mountain goats, the wild donkey, and the ostrich. Job 39:13-17 describes the ostrich: "The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, but cannot match the pinions and feathers of the stork. For she leaves her eggs on the ground and lets them warm in the sand, unmindful that a foot may crush them, or a wild animal may trample them. She treats her young harshly, as if they were not hers, with no concern that her labor was in vain; for God has deprived her of wisdom; He has not endowed her with understanding." Here, the ostrich's seemingly careless behavior is attributed to God's design, emphasizing that even what appears foolish to humans is part of His sovereign plan.

Instincts as Illustrations of Wisdom

Proverbs frequently uses animal behavior to illustrate wisdom and diligence. Proverbs 6:6-8 advises, "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways and be wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food at harvest." The ant's industrious nature and foresight are presented as a model for human behavior, demonstrating how instinctual actions can reflect divine wisdom.

Instincts and Human Responsibility

The Bible also acknowledges the role of humans in stewarding animals and respecting their instincts. In Genesis 2:19-20 , Adam is given the responsibility to name the animals, signifying a role of authority and care. This stewardship implies an understanding and respect for the natural instincts that God has placed within each creature.

Instincts and Divine Sovereignty

Throughout Scripture, animal instincts are ultimately seen as a testament to God's sovereignty and creative power. In Psalm 104:21 , the psalmist declares, "The young lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God." This verse acknowledges that even the predatory instincts of lions are under God's provision and control, highlighting His intimate involvement with all aspects of creation.

In summary, the Bible presents animal instincts as a reflection of God's wisdom and order. They serve as both practical examples for human behavior and as reminders of the Creator's intricate design and sovereign care over all living things.Deuteronomy 32:11
As an eagle stirs up her nest, flutters over her young, spreads abroad her wings, takes them, bears them on her wings:
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Job 35:11
Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth, and makes us wiser than the fowls of heaven?
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Job 39:1
Know you the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or can you mark when the hinds do calve?
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Job 40:1
Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,
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Job 41:1
Can you draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which you let down?
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Psalm 59:6
They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
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Psalm 104:1
Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with honor and majesty.
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Proverbs 6:6-8
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
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Proverbs 30:25-28
The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;
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Jeremiah 8:7
Yes, the stork in the heaven knows her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.
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Matthew 24:28
For wherever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
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And as we are Now Speaking of the Animals Sacrificed...
... with dusky [4852] victims, one with female, the other, on the contrary, with male
animals? ... [4854] [The law of clean and unclean reflects the instincts of man ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/18 and as we are.htm

The Creation of Fowl and Water Animals.
... "Let the earth bring forth the living soul" of domestic animals, of wild beasts,
and of ... "The most wonderful of all known instincts, that of the hive bee, may ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily viii the creation of.htm

Desire to Please.
... with animals, which can have nothing in common with the duties of your sublime mission.
The senses are blind, impetuous and changeable in their instincts; ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter xvi desire to please.htm

Philosophy Vs. Christianity
... called instincts. Their operation and design are sketched, to some extent,
in treatises upon the instincts of animals. Such is the ...
/.../chapter v philosophy vs christianity.htm

Nicodemus.
... runs his course with an exactness and punctuality we cannot rival; the grace and
strength of many of the lower animals, their marvellous instincts and aptitudes ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/vii nicodemus.htm

The Dawn of Mind
... In addition to instincts, animals betray intelligence, and often a high degree of
intelligence; they share our feelings and emotions; they have memories; they ...
/.../drummond/the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter iv the dawn of.htm

All Portions of Creation Attest the Excellence of the Creator ...
... Now, when you make merry with those minuter animals, which their glorious Maker
has purposely endued with a profusion of instincts and resources, [2488 ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xiv all portions of creation.htm

On the Words, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all Things visible ...
... by one command, have sprung diverse natures, the gentle sheep and the carnivorous
lion, and various instincts [1103] of irrational animals, bearing resemblance ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture ix on the words.htm

Whether Happiness Consists in the Consideration of Speculative ...
... whom is the idea of things to be done; while imperfect prudence is in certain
irrational animals, who are possessed of certain particular instincts in respect ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether happiness consists in the.htm

The Christian and the Scientific Estimate of Sin
... And it is this possession which makes man, alone of all animals, capable of sin.
For sin is simply the following out of the instincts and desires of the animal ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beibitz/gloria crucis/iii the christian and the.htm

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