In Genesis 1:26-28, God calls humans to “have dominion” over the earth and the animal kingdom. Unfortunately humans have often used this calling to justify self-centered exploitation of animals and the environment. The truth is that God calls us to care for the earth and its inhabitants in a way that reflects how God cares for us. In the Kingdom of God, exercising dominion is not about “power over” others (the way of the kingdom of darkness). Following the example of Jesus Christ, Kingdom rulership is rather expressed in “power under” acts of self-sacrificial love and service (Philippians 2:5-8).
We see God’s love and care for the animals in the fact that God speaks of them fondly, as though they were his personal pets (Job 39:1-18 ). We also see this love and care in the fact that God considers their welfare in his decision-making (Jonah 4:11; Zechariah 2:4) and sometimes includes animals in covenants (e.g. Genesis 9:8-17 ; Hosea 2:8). God’s love for animals is also apparent in the fact that animals will be included in the final renewal of all things (Isaiah 11:6-9).
When we consider God’s love for the earth and its animal inhabitants., we realize what an important job God gave us when he entrusted their well-being to us. This is the first and most fundamental assignment God gave us, and the well-being of the earth and its animal inhabitants is still the best indication of how humans are doing spiritually.
