Bible Study Seattle

What is the future of the animals?  Adam named the animals, and Satan used an animal (the serpent) to tempt Adam & Eve.  Perhaps this is why Abel offered an animal sacrifice: it was punishment for playing a part in humans’ fall. 

There’s a curious line in Genesis 9:5: “And surely for your lifeblood I will require an accounting; from every beast I will require it, and from man, from every man [who spills another’s lifeblood] I will require a reckoning.  Every animal is accountable if they kill a person. 

Numbers 3:40-41 is curious: “Register every firstborn male of the Israelites one month old or more, and list their names.  You are to take the Levites for Me – I am the Lord – in place of every firstborn among the Israelites, and the Levites’ cattle in place of every firstborn among the Israelites’ cattle.”  The Levites won the honor of the firstborn by slaughtering the unfaithful who worshiped the golden calf.  Exodus 32:25-29  “The Levites did as Moses commanded, and about 3,000 men fell dead that day among the people.  Afterwards Moses said, “Today you have been dedicated to the Lord, since each man went against his son and his brother.  Therefore you have brought a blessing on yourselves today.”  They earned the chief blessing of the firstborn, and so did their cattle! 

The firstborn Hebrews received a double portion of the inheritance.  Why?  To illustrate heaven.  Heaven is a better inheritance than earth.  Since the firstborn animals were also set apart, therefore there will be a faithful group of animals in heaven just as there will be people!