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◄ Beasts: Capable of Being Tamed►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the concept of taming beasts is often associated with the dominion and stewardship that God granted humanity over creation. This theme is rooted in the creation narrative, where God gives mankind authority over the animals. The ability to tame and manage animals is seen as part of the divine order established by God.

Creation Mandate

The foundation for the taming of beasts is found inGenesis 1:26-28, where God grants humans dominion over all living creatures. This passage underscores the responsibility and authority given to humanity: "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.'" (Genesis 1:26). This dominion implies the capacity to tame and manage animals as part of God's intended order.

Examples of Tamed Beasts

Throughout the Bible, there are instances where animals are depicted as being tamed or controlled by humans. In the book of James, the ability to tame animals is used as a metaphor for the challenge of controlling the tongue: "All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind" (James 3:7). This verse acknowledges the human capacity to tame various creatures, highlighting the breadth of this ability.

Symbolism and Lessons

The taming of beasts also carries symbolic meaning in Scripture. It reflects the broader theme of order over chaos, where humanity's role is to bring harmony to creation. The ability to tame animals is a testament to human ingenuity and the fulfillment of God's command to subdue the earth.

In the account of Noah, the gathering and management of animals into the ark (Genesis 6-9) can be seen as an act of divine guidance and human cooperation in the preservation and stewardship of life. Noah's obedience and the subsequent taming of the animals aboard the ark illustrate the partnership between God and humanity in caring for creation.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The biblical perspective on taming beasts also carries moral and ethical implications. It suggests a responsibility to care for and manage animals with wisdom and compassion.Proverbs 12:10 states, "A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty" . This verse emphasizes the ethical treatment of animals, aligning with the broader biblical principle of stewardship.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative presents the taming of beasts as an integral part of humanity's role in creation. It is a reflection of the authority and responsibility bestowed upon humans by God, serving as a reminder of the divine order and the call to stewardship. Through the taming of animals, Scripture illustrates themes of dominion, order, and ethical responsibility, encouraging believers to fulfill their God-given role in caring for the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

James 3:7
For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed of mankind:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Pelagius Corrupts a Passage of the Apostle James by Adding a Note...
... 1161] does not appear to me to becapable of the... betamed by any man, although even
beasts are tameable... beg for the taming of the tongue,"Hebeing the tamer...

Wesley at Birmingham, Walsal, and Derby
... The house notbeing capable of containing the people, about seven I began preaching
abroad; and there... How has God eithertamed the wildbeasts or chained...

Book Twelve the Mode of Creation and the Truth of Scripture. ...
... are very good"because we hold that what is created and endowed with form is a higher
good; and we also hold that what is madecapable ofbeing created and...

The Creation of Fowl and Water Animals.
... to them, the need of food, regret atbeing separated from... soul, you will find that
the soul ofbeasts is earth... all birds can betamed and arecapable of training...

The Creation of Moving Creatures.
... that they share the power ofbeing nourished and... things creeping innumerable, both
small and greatbeasts.... If beings deprived of reason arecapable of thinking...

Book iv Thus Gently Sang the Lady Philosophy with Dignified Mien...
... to those whom we have shewn to be asbeasts?... with so few words as human reason is
capable of comprehending, I... have not come to this pass ofbeing dissipated by...

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... and Who brought all else whatsoever intobeing, has no... show that God existed before
beingscapable of speech... things of the earth, wild thingstamed, objects of...

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... View of all Religions:""The Ranters are a sect ofbeasts that neither... Lord Jesus,
than we have, or are not yetcapable of having, theybeing in paradise...

The Preface to the Commandments
... They worshippedbeasts, as the ox... soul of their child is; that it is immortal, and
capable of communion... The top of the beech treebeing cut off, the whole body...

This HomilyWas Delivered in the Old Church of Antioch
... not a mere fragrance only, but fruit too,capable of nourishing... as this was not only
by hisbeing stripped of... manner of men I have fought withbeasts at Ephesus...