p. 2 (258) | The Sixth Day-Animals by W. A. Sweany

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 29, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 17.

The Sixth Day—Animals

By W. A. Sweany

THE GOSPEL IN CREATION. NO. 8.

The Sixth Day—Animals.

A PART of the work of the sixth day is thus brought before us: “And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind; and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and everything that creepeth upon the earth after his kind; and God saw that it was good.” Gen. 1:24, 25.

Manifold, important, and valuable are the lessons which may be learned from the products of the skill, wisdom, and power of the Creator, as manifested in the work of the sixth day of creation week. “Ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee” of Him “in whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:7–10. Like the inhabitants of sea and air (Gen. 1:20–22, margin; Rev. 16:3), they are in common with man (Gen. 2:7–17; Job 27:1–4, margin; Ps. 146:1–4; James 2:26, margin), each one animated by a “living soul” or “spirit” (Gen. 6:5–7; 7:13–15, 21, 22); which, however, in neither case is immortal or deathless, but entirely dependent for continuity of existence upon the breath of life which God gives to all (Eccl. 3:18–21; Ps. 49:6–20; 104:20–30).

A candid, unbiased study of the facts here cited will reveal the fact that the words “soul,” “spirit,” “breath,” and “life” are synonymous terms, and are used interchangeably to denote the animating life-principle, or element in all living creatures. It is true that other objects are sometimes denoted by these terms which occur more than seventeen hundred times in the Scriptures, but their meaning is always discernible in the context, connection, and subject of the passage in which they occur. It is especially worthy of note that the idea of immortality is never connected with these terms in Scripture. But equally as important and valuable as these doctrinal truths, discernible in the nature and creation of the animals, are the practical, helpful lessons that may be learned from observation and study of their lives and habits.

Just as sheep need the care of a shepherd, so we need the care and oversight of “the Good Shepherd;” just as the faithful earthly shepherd cares for and watches over his flock, feeding, protecting, and defending them, seeking and bringing back the wandering, wounded, and lost ones, so “the great Shepherd of the sheep” cares for His flock, even laying down His life for them. Just as the wolf, the lion, and the bear seek to devour the weak and helpless lambs of the flock, “so your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Just as the sheep hear and know the shepherd’s voice, and trust and follow him, so, says “the chief Shepherd,” “My sheep hear My voice and follow Me.” Just as sheep fear and flee from a stranger, so God’s flock fear and distrust false shepherds. John 10:1–16; Ps. 23:1–6; Isa. 40:11; Luke 15:4–7; 1 Sam. 17:34–37; 1 Peter 5:8; Isa. 53:6, 7.

Well may the sluggard, starving in winter through neglect of sowing and reaping in proper seasons, be admonished to “go to the ant, . . . consider her ways, and be wise,” for altho not strong, and having no guide, overseer, or ruler, yet they provide and prepare their meat in summer, and gather their food in harvest. Prov. 6:6–11; 30:24, 25. “The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks.” Prov. 30:26. Just so may feeble, helpless mortals make the Rock of Ages their hiding-place, refuge, and strong tower of defense. Ps. 46:1, 7, 11; 62:5–7; 91:1, 2; 142:4, 5. The unison, co-operation, harmony, and oneness of purpose that should prevail among God’s people (1 Cor. 1:10; Phil. 1:27) is strikingly illustrated among the locusts which “have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands.” Prov. 30:27. “The spider taketh hold with her hands and is in kings’ palaces.” Prov. 30:28. Just so, the man who takes hold with his hands (1 Thess. 4:11, 12), and does with his might what his hands find to do (Eccl. 9:10), being “not slothful” (Rom. 12:11), but “diligent in his business,” “shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men” (Prov. 22:29). The sow wallowing in the mire, and the dog devouring his own vomit (2 Peter 2:20–22), may not be the most pleasing objects for contemplation, but they forcibly illustrate the experience of those who, having known God, turn “again to the weak and beggarly elements of the world.” Gal. 4:9. The spectacle of a man holding a savage dog by the ears, and not daring to release him, for fear of feeling his ferocious fangs, is a striking and startling illustration of the “meddler” and “busybody in other men’s matters” (Prov. 26:17; 2 Thess. 3:11; 1 Peter 4:15), who invariably becomes entangled in the matter which he professes to be straightening out (1 Tim. 5:13). The sly, cunning foxes of the desert stealing stealthily unawares upon their unsuspecting victim, or dodging from one covert to another when pursued by the hunter, illustrate the crafty tactics and deceitful methods of false prophets and teachers in their efforts to ensnare souls and escape the missiles from the catapult of truth in the hands of the faithful and vigilant watchman. Eze. 13:1–10; Isa. 30:8–14; 2 Tim. 4:1–5. Again “the little foxes that spoil the vines” illustrate the ravages of bad

habits among the “tender vines” of the Lord’s planting. Cant. 2:15. The wisdom of the serpent combined with the harmlessness of the dove is the qualification requisite for success in the work of soul-saving. Matt. 10:16. Paul found it necessary to catch with craft and guile some who, blinded by Satan to their own interests, were suspicious, fearful, and doubtful concerning the claims of God. 2 Cor. 12:15, 16.

The attitude of dumb animals toward the one who feeds and cares for them illustrates the proper attitude of God’s people toward Him “who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” 1 Tim. 6:17. How sad that the forgetfulness, carelessness, and ingratitude of those whom “He daily loadeth with benefits” compels Him to say that while the “ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib; . . . Israel doth not know, My people doth not consider.” Isa. 1:3. The animals are fulfilling the purpose of the Creator as fully as the curse imposed upon them by man’s sinful course will allow, and when man through Christ regains control of himself, the animals will again be lovingly submissive to him as they were in Eden. “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Isa. 11:6–9.

W. A. SWEANY.