Topical Encyclopedia Throughout the Bible, animals are frequently depicted as instruments of God's will, serving as agents to fulfill divine purposes. These instances underscore the sovereignty of God over all creation and His ability to use any part of it to accomplish His plans.1. The Serpent in the Garden of Eden The first mention of an animal playing a significant role in the biblical narrative is the serpent in the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 3, the serpent is used as a tool of temptation, leading to the fall of man. "Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made" (Genesis 3:1). This account highlights the serpent's role in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, as it sets the stage for the need for salvation. 2. The Great Fish and Jonah In the book of Jonah, God uses a great fish to redirect the prophet Jonah, who was fleeing from God's command to go to Nineveh. "Now the LORD had appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish" (Jonah 1:17). This miraculous event demonstrates God's control over nature and His determination to see His will accomplished, even through the use of a sea creature. 3. Balaam's Donkey In Numbers 22, God uses Balaam's donkey to convey a message to the prophet Balaam. When Balaam is on his way to curse the Israelites, the donkey sees the angel of the LORD and refuses to proceed. After Balaam strikes the donkey, God opens the animal's mouth: "Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, 'What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?'" (Numbers 22:28). This event illustrates God's ability to use even a humble donkey to communicate His will and protect His people. 4. Ravens Feeding Elijah During a time of drought and famine, God commands ravens to provide for the prophet Elijah. "And you are to drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there" (1 Kings 17:4). The ravens bring Elijah bread and meat, demonstrating God's provision and care for His servants through the natural world. 5. The Lions in Daniel's Den In the book of Daniel, God uses lions to demonstrate His power and protection. When Daniel is thrown into the lions' den for praying to God, the lions do not harm him. "My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions, and they have not harmed me" (Daniel 6:22). This miraculous preservation serves as a testament to God's ability to control even the fiercest of animals to protect His faithful followers. 6. The Plagues of Egypt In the narrative of the Exodus, God uses various animals as instruments of judgment against Egypt. The plagues include frogs, gnats, flies, and locusts, each serving as a sign of God's power and a means to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites. "If you refuse to let them go, I will send swarms of flies upon you and your officials and your people and your houses" (Exodus 8:21). These plagues demonstrate God's authority over creation and His commitment to liberating His people. 7. The Fish with the Coin In the New Testament, Jesus uses a fish to provide for the temple tax. When Peter is questioned about paying the tax, Jesus instructs him to catch a fish: "Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth, and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for My tax and yours" (Matthew 17:27). This event illustrates Jesus' divine knowledge and provision, using a simple fish to meet a need. These examples from Scripture reveal that animals, as part of God's creation, can be employed by Him to achieve His divine purposes. Whether through acts of judgment, provision, or protection, animals serve as reminders of God's omnipotence and His intricate involvement in the affairs of the world. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 8:1And the LORD spoke to Moses, Go to Pharaoh, and say to him, Thus said the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 9:1 Exodus 10:1-20 Numbers 21:6 Numbers 22:28 Joshua 24:12 Jeremiah 8:17 Joel 1:4 Library Whether the Glorified Bodies Will be Agile? An Obscured vision Gregory Again Discusses the Generation of the Only-Begotten, and ... On the End of Man The Polity Settled by Moses; and How He Disappeared from among ... The Sacrifice of the Body The Simple Nature of the Soul is Asserted with Plato. The Identity ... In his Temple Faustus Willing to Believe not Only that the Jewish but that all ... The Carcass and the Eagles Resources How did Noah fit all the animals on the Ark? | GotQuestions.orgWhat made some animals clean and others unclean (Genesis 7)? | GotQuestions.org Why did God also destroy animals in the Flood (Genesis 6-8)? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Animals: Cruelty to Houghing Horses Animals: Instruments of God's Will Animals: Kindness to Jacob, in Erecting Booths for his Cattle Animals: Kindness to People of Gerar, in Providing Tents for Cattle Animals: Ordained As Food for Man Animals: Suffer Under Divine Judgments, Sent Upon Man Animals: Suffered the Plagues of Egypt Animals: Two of Every Sort Preserved in the Ark Pack Animals used for Transporting Army Supplies Select Readings: The Animals of the Field Related Terms |
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