relationships (Gn. 1:24-31, 2:18-22) People and Pets

I'm going to go over some of the same verses again, because I feel this is important...  

(GENESIS 1:24-31)  Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth after their kind”; and it was so. 25 God made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good.

26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; 30 and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so. 31 God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

(GENESIS 2:18-22)  Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” 19 Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him.  21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. 22 The Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.

TODAY’S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

God created the animals so that they would reproduce after their own kind, then said, "It is good".  But God created humans, according to His image.  He also created us so that within the act of sex, there is an emotional marriage that happens.  When He was finished creating man and woman and looked over what He created, He said, "It is VERY good!"  Just from this we can see that there is a vast difference between humans and animals.

As well, when God created man and woman, He did another thing that was "extra" - He breathed life into mankind... giving humans a soul.  It is important to differentiate these facts, because it dispels any notions of reincarnation or evolution.  Evolution would say that everything happened just by chance, and therefore there is no purpose to anything.  Reincarnation puts humans on the same level as animals, and often places animals above humans... even considering certain animals their gods.

Therefore, it is also important to note from what we see in these verses... God created us with purpose.  Part of our purpose is to be in charge of the earth and all creatures.  Certainly, animals are awesome, but people are extra so!  We are expected, as best as we can, to use our resources responsibly, and see to it that animals are not mistreated.  And while pets can often feel like they are part of a family, animals should never be placed above any human!

Even though people can be extremely frustrating or bothersome, God's plan for us is not to retreat and live in isolation with animals, we have a much higher calling and purpose in life.  Our focus should be: putting God first, then our spouse (if we are married), then people, then other things such as animals.  Are animals easier to love?  Sure.  Are some people easier to love than others?  Definitely.  But this is what God says about that... 

(Matthew 5:43-48)  “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors, do they not do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Even the Gentiles, do they not do the same? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.