We have long labeled animals as being
soul-less creatures in the Christian community. But why? It is often
said that animals do not have souls but that is ironic since the word
soul in the Old Testament is “nephesh”
which means a breathing
creature. I think we can all agree that animals are
breathing creatures, so they must have a soul. The question then
becomes, do they have a spirit? Well, spirit in the Old Testament is
“ruwach”
which
translates to breath.
We already agreed that animals breath,
so they must have a breath.
But
there is more.
The
Bible teaches us more about animals then one might think at first.
For starters it tells us that the serpent spoke to Eve (Genesis
3:1).
Not only did it speak, it also deceived her (Genesis
3:13,
1
Timothy 2:14).
Now you might be saying, “Yeah, but that was Satan.” That may be
true, but for the sake of this study lets just leave it at this
point; the book of Genesis never says that the serpent was used or
that it was Satan? It specifically states that the serpent was more
subtle (crafty)
then all the other beast of the field (Genesis
3:1).
The verse uses the word “hayah”
which could be translated became.
If this is the case the verse could be read, “and the serpent
became
more crafty then the other beast of the field.” If so, then we can
take two lessons from this (the
second of which has nothing to do with this study).
1)
Animals have the ability to learn (which
I think is pretty obvious just by watching your cat or dog)
and if this is the proper translation it would also mean that 2)
Adam and Eve (or
woman
as she was still called at the time)
must have spent many years in the Garden of Eden before the fall.
But
there's another story that gives us even more insight into animals
and this one has no Satan tie-ins. Numbers
22:5
tells us the story of Balaam. This story is very interesting on many
levels but one of the more interesting aspects is what occurs with
Balaam's mule. The Bible tells us in Numbers
22:23
that God sent an Angel to smite Balaam. What follows has been
overlooked by many Christians and scholars. The mule sees the Angel
and turns off the road to save Balaam's life, it doesn't do this
once, it does it on three separate occasions. Now your probably
saying, “What do you mean 'overlooked?' I've heard this story
before.” I'm sure you have, but have you noticed the following? 1)
The mule sees the Angel while Balaam couldn't. Animals seem to be
more keen to the spirit realm then we are. 2)
The animal observed
the situation and made
a decision (Haven't
noticed that before have you?).
This tells us animals can observe, think and make decisions. 3)
By coming between Balaam and the Angel (Ultimately
Balaam's demise),
the mule intercedes
for Balaam. Animals can intercede for us. But don't take my word for
it, read Numbers
22:33
where the Angel of the LORD tells Balaam that the mule saved his
life. 4)
Balaam gets scolded for whipping his mule (Numbers
22:32).
Animals are not to be mistreated. And last but not least (and
how could I talk about this story without mentioning this part)
5)
The mule asks Balaam three questions (Numbers
22:28-30).
Animals have curiosities and could even hold conversations if God
allowed. For the second time in the Bible an animal talks to a human.
Yes, I am aware that it's possible that the conversation happened
spiritually and therefore in a vision, but it doesn't say that the
LORD opened Balaam's ears, it says that God opened the mules mouth. I
think anybody near by (possibly
Balaam's two servants. Numbers
22:22)
heard the mule talking.
Another
verse that talks about animals is Matthew
6:26
(and
a perfect fit being that the other verses were Old Testament).
Here we see that God feeds the birds. Though Jesus puts us in higher
regard, it is still important to note that, it is God, that takes
care of and feeds the animals.
With
all that said, do animals go to Heaven? Though the Bible mentions
that there are animals in the Kingdom (Isaiah 65:25 Appears
to be referring to Heaven or at least the place of Eternity,
Revelation 19:14), I am not aware of any verse that mentions
the animals of earth dying and going to Heaven. So I guess some
things are just a matter of wait and see. We cannot say they will
go to Heaven, but we also shouldn't say they won't either
since the Bible makes no mention of it.
I
hope you have enjoyed this study and that you can give God's creation
a little more credit then what we often give them, you never know if
they have interceded for you. God Bless you.
