Pertanyaan: 560. Apa yang Dikatakan Kitab Suci tentang Hewan?
Binatang-binatang dari segala jenis diciptakan oleh Allah dan mereka menunjukkan kekuasaan Allah bahkan saat mereka diciptakan untuk memuji dan memuliakan Allah (Kej. 1:24, 25; Kej. 2:19; Yer. 27:5; Mazm. 148:10). Allah memberi mereka tumbuh-tumbuhan di ladang sebagai makanan mereka dan karena manusia diberi kuasa atas mereka, mereka secara naluriah takut kepadanya. Adam memberi mereka nama-nama, tetapi mereka tetap milik Allah dan menjadi perhatian-Nya (Kej. 1:30; Kej. 1:26, 28; Kej. 9:3; Kej. 2:19, 20; Mazm. 50:10; Mazm. 36:6). Mereka digambarkan tidak memiliki ucapan, pengertian, dan keabadian, tetapi memiliki naluri, dan meskipun liar secara alami, mereka dapat dijinakkan (II Pet. 2:16; Mazm. 32:9; Mazm. 49:12-15; Yes. 1:3; Mazm. 50:11). Mereka ditemukan di padang gurun, ladang, gunung, dan hutan, dan mendiami liang, gua, dan kota-kota terbengkalai (Yes. 13:21; Ul. 7:22; Kid. 4:8; Yes. 56:9; Ayub 37:8; Yes. 13:21, 22). Mereka dibagi menjadi hewan-hewan yang halal dan haram, dan hingga saat ini perbedaan ini masih diperhatikan. Hewan-hewan yang halal termasuk lembu, banteng, domba, kambing, rusa, kijang, kambing liar, rusa betina, dan kambing gunung (Kel. 21:28; Ula. 7:13; Ula. 14:4, 5), sedangkan di antara hewan-hewan yang haram termasuk unta, dromedary, kuda, keledai, kuda mule, singa, macan tutul, beruang, serigala, kuda bertanduk, kera, rubah, anjing, babi, kelinci, tikus, belut, musang, dan bajing (Kej. 24:64; I Raja 4:28; Kej. 22:3; II Sam. 13:29; Hak. 14:5, 6; Kid. 4:8; II Sam. 17:8; Kej. 49:27; Bil. 23:22; I Raja 10:22; Mazm. 63:10; Kel. 22:31; Im. 11:7; 6:5, 29, 30; Kel. 25:5). Hewan-hewan ternak juga berhak menikmati hari Sabat, harus dijaga dengan baik, dan tidak boleh disiksa (Kel. 20:10; Im. 25:7; Bil. 22:27-32).
Question: 560. What Do the Scriptures Tell Us About Animals?
Beasts of all kinds were created by God and they exhibit God's power even as they are made for the praise and glory of God (Gen. 1:24, 25; Gen. 2: 19; Jer. 27: 5; Psa. 148: 10). He gave them the herbs of the field for food and as power over them was given to man they instinctively fear him. Adam gave them their names, but they remain the property of God and the subjects of his care (Gen. 1:30; Gen. 1:26, 28; Gen. 9:3; Gen. 2:19, 20; Psa. 50:10; Psa. 36:6). They are described as devoid of speech, understanding and immortality, but possessed of instinct, and though wild by nature, capable of being tamed (II Pet. 2: 16; Psa. 32:9; Psa. 49: 12-15; Isa. 1:3; Psa. 50: 11). They are found in deserts, fields, mountains and forests and inhabit dens, caves and deserted cities (Isa. 13:21; Deu. 7:22; So. of Sol. 4:8; Isa. 56:9; Job 37 : 8 ; Isa. 13:21, 22). They were divided into clean and unclean and to this day the distinction is observed. The clean beasts were ox, wild ox, sheep, goat, hart, roebuck, wild goat, fallow deer, chamois (Ex. 21:28; Deu. 7:13; Deu. 14:4, 5), while among the unclean were counted the camel, dromedary, horse, ass, mule, lion, leopard, bear, wolf, unicorn, ape, fox, dog, swine, hare, mouse, mole, weasel, ferret and badger (Gen. 24:64; I Kings 4:28; Gen. 22:3; II Sam. 13:29; Judges. 14:5, 6; So. of Sol. 4:8; II Sam. 17:8; Gen. 49 : 27 ; Num. 23:22; I Kings 10 : 22 ; Psa. 63 : 10 ; Ex. 22:31; Lev. 11:7; 6:5, 29, 30; Ex. 25:5. The domestic animals are to enjoy the Sabbath, are to be taken care of and not to be cruelly used (Ex. 20: 10; Lev. 25:7; Num. 22:27-32).
