Topical Encyclopedia Throughout the Bible, animals are depicted as part of God's creation, subject to His will and often affected by His divine judgments upon humanity. These instances serve as reminders of the interconnectedness of all creation and the far-reaching consequences of human sin and disobedience.The Flood (Genesis 6-9): One of the most significant examples of animals suffering under divine judgment is the Great Flood. In Genesis 6:7, God declares, "I will wipe from the face of the earth every living thing I have made." This judgment was due to the wickedness of humanity, yet it extended to all living creatures. Noah, however, found favor with God and was instructed to build an ark to preserve a remnant of each species. Genesis 7:23 states, "Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; people and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark." The Plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12): During the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt, God sent ten plagues as judgments upon Pharaoh and his people. Several of these plagues directly affected animals. The fifth plague, described in Exodus 9:3, was a severe pestilence that struck the livestock of Egypt: "the hand of the LORD will bring a terrible plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses, donkeys and camels and on your cattle, sheep and goats." The eighth plague, locusts, consumed what was left after the hail, devastating the land and affecting both humans and animals (Exodus 10:12-15). The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19): Although the primary focus of this judgment was the cities' inhabitants, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by fire and brimstone also encompassed the surrounding land and its creatures. Genesis 19:25 notes, "Thus He overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all the living things in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land." The Judgment on Nineveh (Jonah 3-4): In the book of Jonah, the city of Nineveh was warned of impending destruction due to its wickedness. The king of Nineveh proclaimed a fast for both people and animals, as seen in Jonah 3:7-8: "Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything at all. They must not eat or drink. Let every man and beast be covered with sackcloth." This act of repentance included animals, highlighting their involvement in the city's fate. The Prophecies of Desolation (Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Zephaniah): Various prophetic books describe the desolation of lands as a result of divine judgment, affecting both humans and animals. Jeremiah 12:4 laments, "How long will the land mourn and the grass of every field wither? Because of the wickedness of those who live in it, the animals and birds have perished." Similarly, Ezekiel 14:13-21 speaks of God's four severe judgments—sword, famine, wild beasts, and plague—upon a land, impacting all its inhabitants. The End Times (Revelation): The book of Revelation describes apocalyptic events where divine judgments affect all of creation. Revelation 8:9 speaks of a third of the living creatures in the sea dying as part of the second trumpet judgment. These events underscore the comprehensive nature of God's judgments, affecting both humanity and the animal kingdom. In these biblical narratives, animals are often innocent victims of the broader consequences of human sin. Their suffering under divine judgments serves as a poignant reminder of the gravity of disobedience to God and the holistic impact of His righteous decrees. Nave's Topical Index Jeremiah 7:20Therefore thus said the Lord GOD; Behold, my anger and my fury shall be poured out on this place, on man, and on beast, and on the trees of the field, and on the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched. Nave's Topical Index Jeremiah 12:4 Jeremiah 21:6 Ezekiel 14:13,17,19-21 Joel 1:18-20 Library Faustus Denies that Manich??ans Believe in Two Gods. Hyle no God. ... Fourthly; all the [Credenda, Or] Doctrines, which the True, Simple ... The Old Testament and Comparative Religion The Imperfection of Human Knowledge Give us Today Our Needful Bread A Discourse which was in the Presence of Antoninus C??sar Treatise v. An Address to Demetrianus. Book 1. Faustus Avows his Disbelief in the Old Testament and his Disregard ... The Second Oration on Easter. Resources Do animals sin? | GotQuestions.orgDo pets / animals go to Heaven? Do pets / animals have souls / spirits? | GotQuestions.org How does the fact that there are gay/homosexual animals impact the idea that homosexuality is a sin? | 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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