Page 54 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

BEAST

25, 30; 2:19-20; 3:1; 8:19; 9:2; 37:20), and (2) pleasure and use. Man was not made for the world; the
behemah (Ge. 6:7; 7:2; 34:23; Ex. 8:17). Chay world was made for man. Even the stars of the universe
emphasizes the living, moving, breathing aspect of an were made for man (Ps. 8:4-8). The Psalmist sees the
animal. It is also translated “alive,” “running,” and animal kingdom under man’s feet. Throughout the Bible
“springing.” Behemah emphasizes the brute aspect to an we see examples of men using animals for servitude,
animal, the fact that they do not have an eternal, living riding them for transportation and warfare (Ne. 2:12;
soul like man does. It is from a Hebrew root meaning Ps. 32:9; Pr. 21:31; Mt. 21:1-7), plowing with them (De.
“mute.” In the N.T. there are three Greek words 25:4), etc. Nowhere in Scripture is this condemned. In
translated “beast” in the KJV. (1) Ktenos refers to a fact, the Lord Jesus Christ and His armies will be riding
domesticated animal (Lk. 10:34). (2) Therion refers to a white horses when He returns from heaven (Re.
wild, dangerous animal (Ac. 28:4-5). The Antichrist is 19:11-14). This does not mean that man has a right to
described with this term (Re. 11:7; 13:1-18; 14:9, 11; be cruel toward animals; it means man has a divine
15:2; 16:2, 10, 13; 17:3-17; 19:19-20; 20:4, 10). (3) right to rule over the creation and to use it for his
Zoon refers to a living creature in general, not purposes and needs. The Bible enjoins kindness even
necessarily an animal, and describes some of the angelic toward the dumb creatures of this world (Pr. 12:10).
beings of Revelation (2 Pe. 2:12; Re. 4:7; 6:3, 5, 7). Animals Are for Man’s Food: From the time of Noah
Bible Lessons about Animals until today God has ordained that man eat animal flesh
Animals and People Are Different Creations: The first (Ge. 9:3). The nation Israel ate meat. The Lord Jesus
thing to note from Scripture is that animals and Christ ate meat. The Passover meal was lamb (Ex.
mankind are two different creations. Man is not a higher 12:5-10), and Christ ate the Passover (Mt. 26:17-19).
animal. Evolution is a lie. Man was created distinctly in He also ate fish (Lk. 24:42, 43). What about Christians?
the image of God (Ge. 1:24-28). Animals were not made The Apostle Peter was certainly a Christian, and in a
in the image of God. Animals do not have a living soul. vision from God he was commanded to eat meat (Ac.
They are not eternal beings; man is (Ge. 2:7). They are 10:10-13). The vision was to impress Peter that Gentile
described as “made to be taken and destroyed” in 2 believers were not unclean, but the fact remains that
Peter 2:12. Man is infinitely higher than and different God commanded Peter to eat of the various meats. God
from the animal kingdom. When proud king would not have done that if He abhorred meat eating.
Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by God, his heart was The vision in Ac. 10 also shows that God has removed
changed from man’s to a beast’s (Dan. 4:16). The Lord the O.T. dietary restrictions. Some would have us believe
Jesus Christ referred to the difference between animals that restrictions against pork and other meats were for
and men in Lk. 12:5-7. “But I forewarn you whom ye medical purposes. That’s not the case. Those restrictions
shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath were for the purpose of separating Israel from the
power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. nations and for teaching her the difference between
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not holy and unholy. In the N.T. churches God has removed
one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very all such dietary restrictions. In fact, the Bible warns
hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: against those who would promote vegetarianism. In 1
ye are of more value than many sparrows.” There are Ti. 4:1-5 we read of those who “command to abstain
two important truths in this passage about animals and from meats,” and we are told that this is a doctrine of
man. First, we see that God does care for animals; he devils! The Bible clearly says that God created animals
does not forget even the tiny sparrow. Second, though, to be eaten. It is not cruel to kill an animal in hunting or
we see that man is infinitely greater in value than the fishing, and to eat it. It is not cruel to slaughter animals
animals because man has an eternal soul. Man will be for food. That is one of the reasons God made animals.
held accountable for his actions. Without a Saviour, Christians are free to eat meats or not to eat meats. This
sinful man will spend eternity in hell. We also see Christ is the teaching of Ro. 14:2-3,6. Away with those dietary
making a clear distinction between men and animals in laws which purport to be Christian. If a Christian wants
Mark 5:2-16. Christ had compassion upon the demon to eat a certain kind of food—only vegetables, for
possessed man and cast the unclean spirits out of him. example—that is fine. If he wants to avoid something
The demons begged Christ that they be allowed to enter such as sugar or pork, fine. Let him eat what he feels
into a herd of swine which were feeding nearby, and God would have him eat, and what he feels will best
Christ gave them permission to do so. [For more about benefit him. But let that one be careful that he not make
the difference between man and animals see his own conscience a law for others. The N.T. forbids
“Evolution.”] dietary laws for religious purposes. Peter describes
Animals Were Made for Man’s Pleasure: We see further beasts which are “made to be taken and destroyed” (2
that the Bible says animals were made for man’s

54 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity