Animals are often used in children's stories to teach the children a lesson. These animals are often cute and cuddly, even adorable for these little tykes at times.
Did you know that God also used animals in the Bible to teach lessons to grown-up men?
Here are some animals in the Bible that we can learn from.
1. Balaam's Donkey
Here's a story worthy of a Pixar movie – with a very important lesson for all who serve the Lord. Balaam was a prophet (others call him a diviner) in the Old Testament, and although he did not curse Israel according to a Moabite king's request, God was angry with him for siding with Israel's enemy and teaching them how to entice Israel to sin (see Numbers 22:21-41, 31:16).
God opened the mouth of Balaam's donkey to rebuke him for rushing to get profits (see Numbers 22:16-18, 28; Jude 11) from the Moabite king. In the same way, God's servants must never exchange their God-given gifts and abilities for any form of money or personal gain. They must also avoid teaching the wrong things even if it means being persecuted and pressured to do so.
2. Rock Badgers (also called Hyraxes or Coneys)
"The rock badgers are a feeble folk, yet they make their homes in the crags." (Proverbs 30:26)
Rock badgers are small animals that are neither ruminants nor rodents. They're about the size of rabbits. The Bible lists them among the "things on earth that are small, yet they are extremely wise." (Prov. 30:24)
The Rock Badger's feet aren't designed for digging. And since they are small and "of little power" according to the NLT, they do need protection. And so they make their settlements in the clefts of the rocks which provide them protection from many possible dangers.
In the same way, those who are weak in the faith must realise the fact that they need help and protection from the enemy's schemes. We must not think too highly of ourselves; rather we must realise our limitations and put ourselves in a safe position so that when trials and tests arrive, we will have a better chance of overcoming them, and not falling into sin.
3. Sheep
The Lord Jesus likened His followers as sheep in the Bible. Knowing what sheep are will help us understand how lovingly frank that could be.
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27)
Sheep are very simple animals that need a shepherd to guide them to food, water and safety (read Psalm 23).
Without a shepherd, all sheep will fall victim to various deadly situations: hunger, attacks from predators like wolves, bears and lions, as well as falling into ditches and cliffs.
Jesus likened us to sheep because without Him all of us are going to such places as sin, death, and eternal punishment in hell. So in the same way that shepherds are totally dependent on a shepherd to guide them and keep them safe, we need to depend totally on the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation and life now and forever.
