Stewardship of God's Creatures in Scripture and Nature
The concept of stewardship over God's creatures is rooted in the biblical narrative of creation and humanity's role within it. From the outset, God created various forms of life, including animals, livestock, and creeping things, and declared them "good" [7]. These creatures, whether beasts, birds, or reptiles, were made by God and for His glory [1, 4, 9].
Humanity's relationship with these creatures is defined by the dominion granted by God. Genesis 1:26 and 1:28 state that humans are to have "dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth" [1]. This authority is also reflected in Adam's naming of the animals [1, 4]. While this dominion implies power, it is understood within a framework of care and responsibility, akin to a shepherd's role. The term "shepherd" in Scripture often represents the relationship of rulers to their subjects and God to His people, signifying guidance, protection, and provision [8, 13, 14]. Just as God preserves and provides for His creatures [5], humans are called to exercise a similar, albeit subordinate, care.
The Bible illustrates God's direct care for all living things. He is the author and preserver of natural life [2]. The Psalms emphasize God's providential care, noting that He provides for His creatures [5, 11]. Even wild animals, such as the wild goats and hinds, are cared for by divine Providence, particularly during vulnerable times like giving birth [10, 12]. God's care extends to providing food for animals, as seen in the herb of the field given to them [1, 4]. This divine oversight ensures the preservation of species [12].
After the Flood, God permitted humans to eat animals for food, but with specific regulations, such as not eating them alive or with their blood [1]. This indicates a continued respect for life even in its consumption. The fear that animals instinctively have for humans is also noted as a consequence of the post-Fall world [1, 4].
The concept of stewardship is further illuminated by the idea that all creatures are part of God's "hosts" or "armies," numerous and marshaled under divine command [15]. They are subject to God's will, as seen when animals assembled at the Flood and at creation to be subject to Adam's authority [16]. This original subjection would have continued had humanity not rebelled against God [16].
The New Testament reinforces the idea of responsible oversight, particularly in the context of spiritual leadership. For instance, 1 Peter 5:2 exhorts leaders to "shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly" [3, 6]. While this passage refers to the church, the imagery draws from the broader understanding of shepherding as a model of diligent care and protection [8, 13].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: B — Created by God -- Ge 1:24,25; 2:19. Creation of, exhibits God's power -- Jer 27:5. Made for the praise and glory of God -- Ps 148:10. Differ in flesh from birds and fishes -- 1Co 15:39. Herb of the field given to, for food -- Ge 1:30. Power over, given to man -- Ge 1:26,28; Ps 8:7. Instinctively fear man -- Ge 9:2. Received their names from Adam -- Ge 2:19,20. Given to man for food after the flood -- Ge 9:3. Not to be eaten alive or with blood -- Ge 9:4; De 12:16,23. That died naturally or were torn, not to be eaten -- Ex 22:31; Le 17:15; 22:8. Supply clothing to”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Life, Natural — God is the author of -- Ge 2:7; Ac 17:28. God preserves -- Ps 36:6; 66:9. Is in the hand of God -- Job 12:10; Da 5:23. Forfeited by sin -- Ge 2:17; 3:17-19. Of others, not to be taken away -- Ex 20:13. Described as Vain. -- Ec 6:12. Limited. -- Job 7:1; 14:5. Short. -- Job 14:1; Ps 89:47. Uncertain. -- Jas 4:13-15. Full of trouble. -- Job 14:1. God's loving-kindness better than -- Ps 63:3. The value of -- Job 2:4; Mt 6:25. Preserved by discretion -- Pr 13:3. Sometimes prolonged, in answer to prayer -- Isa 38:2-5; Jas 5:15. Obedience to God, tends to p”
- 1 Peter “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly; -- 1 Peter 5:2”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Birds — Created by God -- Ge 1:20,21; 2:19. Created for the glory of God -- Ps 148:10. Herb of the field given as food to -- Ge 1:30. Differ in flesh from beasts and fishes -- 1Co 15:39. Power over given to man -- Ge 1:26; Ps 8:8. Names given to, by Adam -- Ge 2:19,20. Instinctively fear man -- Ge 9:2. Instinct of, inferior to man's reason -- Job 35:11. Lessons of wisdom to be learned from -- Job 12:7. Can all be tamed -- Jas 3:7. Given as food to man -- Ge 9:2,3. The blood of, not to be eaten -- Le 7:26. The property of God -- Ps 50:11. God provides for -- Ps 104:1-”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Providence of God, The — Is his care over his works -- Ps 145:9. Is exercised in Preserving his creatures. -- Ne 9:6; Ps 36:6; Mt 10:29. Providing for his creatures. -- Ps 104:27,28; 136:25; 147:9; Mt 6:26. The special preservation of saints. -- Ps 37:28; 91:11; Mt 10:30. Prospering saints. -- Ge 24:48,56. Protecting saints. -- Ps 91:4; 140:7. Delivering saints. -- Ps 91:3; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 63:12. Bringing His words to pass. -- Nu 26:65; Jos 21:45; Lu 21:32,33. Ordering the ways of men. -- Pr 16:9; 19”
- I Peter “I Peter 5:2 (LITV) — Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, not by compulsion, but willingly; nor eagerly for base gain, but readily;”
- Genesis “God made the animals of the earth after their kind, and the livestock after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind. God saw that it was good. -- Genesis 1:25”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Shepherd — A word naturally of frequent occurence in Scripture. Sometimes the word "pastor" is used instead (Jer. 2:8; 3:15; 10:21; 12:10; 17:16). This word is used figuratively to represent the relation of rulers to their subjects and of God to his people (Ps. 23:1; 80:1; Isa. 40:11; 44:28; Jer. 25:34, 35; Nahum 3:18; John 10:11, 14; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 2:25; 5:4). The duties of a shepherd in an unenclosed country like Palestine were very onerous. "In early morning he led forth the flock from the fold, marching at its head to the spot where they were to be pastured. ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Reptiles — Created by God -- Ge 1:24,25. Made for praise and glory of God -- Ps 148:10. Placed under the dominion of man -- Ge 1:26. Unclean and not eaten -- Le 11:31,40-43; Ac 10:11-14. Mentioned in scripture Chameleon. -- Le 11:30. Lizard. -- Le 11:30. Tortoise. -- Le 11:29. Snail. -- Le 11:30; Ps 58:8. Frog. -- Ex 8:2; Re 16:13. Horseleech. -- Pr 30:15. Scorpion. -- De 8:15. Serpent. -- Job 26:13; Mt 7:10. Flying fiery serpent. -- De 8:15; Isa 30:6. Dragon. -- De 32:33; Job 30:29; Jer 9:11. Viper. -- Ac 28:3. Adder or Asp. -- Ps 58:4; 91:13; Pr 23:32. Cockatrice o”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 39 (introduction): (Job 39:1-30) Even wild beasts, cut off from all care of man, are cared for by God at their seasons of greatest need. Their instinct comes direct from God and guides them to help themselves in parturition; the very time when the herdsman is most anxious for his herds. wild goats--ibex (Psa 104:18; Sa1 24:2). hinds--fawns; most timid and defenseless animals, yet cared for by God.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 145:14: 145:14-20 The Lord cares for his creatures.”
- Job (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Job 39:1: God here shows Job what little acquaintance he had with the untamed creatures that run wild in the deserts and live at large, but are the care of the divine Providence. As, I. The wild goats and the hinds. That which is taken notice of concerning them is the bringing forth and bringing up of their young ones. For, as every individual is fed, so every species of animals is preserved, by the care of the divine Providence, and, for aught we know, none extinct to this day. Observe here, 1. Concerning the production of their young, (1.) Man is wholly ignorant of the time ”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 10:11: 10:11-14 I am: See study note on 6:35. The good shepherd leads his sheep, finds food and water, and locates paths in the wilderness (see Ps 23). The good shepherd stands between his sheep and danger (John 10:11) and fights to protect them. The Old Testament describes God as Israel’s shepherd (Pss 23; 80:1; Isa 40:10-11). The leaders of God’s people should shepherd their flock as God does (Ezek 34:23). However, the leaders of Israel in Jesus’ time were bad shepherds. 10:11-13 Small villages often created communal flocks and employed a hired hand to tend the sheep. H”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 23 (introduction): Under a metaphor borrowed from scenes of pastoral life, with which David was familiar, he describes God's providential care in providing refreshment, guidance, protection, and abundance, and so affording grounds of confidence in His perpetual favor. (Psa 23:1-6) Christ's relation to His people is often represented by the figure of a shepherd (Joh 10:14; Heb 13:20; Pe1 2:25; Pe1 5:4), and therefore the opinion that He is the Lord here so described, and in Gen 48:15; Psa 80:1; Isa 40:11, is not without some good reason.”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 2:1: We have here, I. The settlement of the kingdom of nature, in God's resting from the work of creation, Gen 2:1, Gen 2:2. Here observe, 1. The creatures made both in heaven and earth are the hosts or armies of them, which denotes them to be numerous, but marshalled, disciplined, and under command. How great is the sum of them! And yet every one knows and keeps his place. God uses them as his hosts for the defence of his people and the destruction of his enemies; for he is the Lord of hosts, of all these hosts, Dan 4:35. 2. The heavens and the earth are finished piec”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 3, section 2.17: we ought not to wonder that the slightest expression of the will of God causes all the animals to assemble, as happened at the flood, ( Genesis 7:15 ,) and likewise at the very creation of the world, when, as Moses relates, all the animals were gathered together, by the command of God, to the first man, that they might be subject to his authority. ( Genesis 2:19 .) And undoubtedly they would have continued to be subject and obedient to him, had not his own rebellion deprived him of that power and authority; but when he revolted from God, the ”