In the book of Genesis we find that God preserved animals and birds from the flood in Noah's day by directing an ark to be built (Genesis 6-9).  We also find in the New Testament that even such an insignificant creature as a little sparrow is important.  Jesus told his disciples, "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?  Yet not one of them is forgotten by God" (Luke 12:6).

     From early on, God gave the Israelites specific guidelines for how animals and birds were to be treated.  These directives included such things as: rest on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:10; 23:12; Deuteronomy 5:14), the way work was to be accomplished (Deuteronomy 22:10; 25:4), provisions of food to be left for wild animals (Exodus 23:10-11); Leviticus 25:6-7), and proper treatment of a bird with her young (Deuteronomy 22:6-7).  The book of Proverbs made it clear that the way a person treated his animal was a reflection upon their true moral character, "A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel" (Proverbs 12:10).

      Furthermore, the value that God's word reveals regarding various creatures is not merely limited to food for humans.  They were used for things like . . . .

Copyrighted material.  From Hunting and the Bible: A Scripture Safari by Dr. Tom C. Rakow, copyright 1997, Rock Dove Publications: Silver Lake, pages 14-15.  No unauthorized use permitted.