Service Animals in the Bible

Adam and Eve were the keepers of a whole zoological garden before the pet snake came along. The snake was covered in dust. But Adam an Eve were clothed in animal skin. (Gen. 1-3)

Noah built the first floating Zoo. He also formed the first animal rescue and recon units. He sent a raven and a dove on a sight seeing, fact finding mission. (Gen. 6-8) Their service blazed the trail for future carrier pigeons!

A ram served as Isaac’s substitute. Before Mary had the Lamb, Abraham had a ram. (Gen.22.)

Quail flew in for their final landing while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness. (Ex. 16)

Balaam had stubborn a donkey that was smarter than him. I would rather take a trip with a dumb talking donkey than a stupid wise man any day! (Num. 22:21-35)

The shepherd boy who became King David had a flock. He learned how to fist fight with lions and bears so that he could sling stones at giants! (1Sam 17) (“Lions, tigers, and bears, O’ my!” That story is not in the Bible!)

Dogs served as the cleaning crew for old Ahab. He should have been more humane! (1Kin 21:19; 22:38) Elijah was feed by ravens. (1Kin. 17)

The prophets, like Ezekiel, were men of visions. (There were no fairies and sugar plumes dancing in their heads.) They saw animals and angels instead! Daniel was a guest in a lions den, but they did not share a meal together. (Dan.6)

The night Jesus was born creatures both great and small welcomed their creator. (Lk 2:7) Animals served as illustration in the lessons that Jesus taught. (These lessons were parables not fables.) Jesus entered Jerusalem on another donkey. This one remained silent because the disciples had enough sense to give Jesus praise. I wondered if the donkey was silent because she could sense the sorrow that was soon to come. (Lk 19:28-44) Some day soon that sorrow will be swallowed up in victory when Jesus rides again on white horse! (Rev. 19:11) He is the Lion and the Lamb. (Rev. 5) Because of His peace the lion will lay down with a lamb. (Isa. 66:25) Therefore, I have hope that cats and a dog can get along together too. Even if they have different theology! http://catdog.oikos143.com/