Bible Study Seattle

Ever see the bumper sticker ‘Meat is Murder’? You have to admit they have a point. But Christians define murder being between persons. Jesus even caught fish and cooked it for the disciples, and he was sinless. Yet why should the animals suffer to be our food?

After the Fall, God pronounced judgment on Adam, Eve, and Satan. Or did he? “So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this,

“Cursed are you above all livestock
and all wild animals!
You will crawl on your belly
and you will eat dust
all the days of your life.” Genesis 3:14

Cursed above the wild animals? They were cursed too? Was Satan already cursed before he entered the serpent? Was part of the animals punishment to become food for people?

“Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering,”. Genesis 4:2-4

The Lord was pleased Abel killed a bird for an offering? Why? Paul says, “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” Hebrews 10:4. Only the blood of Christ can give us eternal life. Yet a sacrifice of a bull can keep us alive for several months (food). The key is that we need special, sinless food to keep us alive forever. The seed and genetic makeup of every person, animal, and plant has been compromised. Even Jesus, though born of perfect seed (via the Holy Spirit), was mated to an imperfect egg, and did not have perfect food. For that reason, even though he was sinless in thought and deed, he would have died for want of perfect food.

The day will come when the curse will be completely lifted, not only on people, but also on animals and plants. It is promised to us during the great Eighth Day, or the great Fifty Year Jubilee. What happens after that we do not know.

“in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7