Through the Bible With Birds and BeastsSample

Meek and Mild or Strong and Wild?

Did you ever notice in the Creation account how God divided the animals into three categories from the beginning? I find it fascinating that the Bible tells us He created wild animals, livestock, and creatures that move along the ground (which scholars classify as possibly including reptiles, insects, and other such small animals). Keeping these three categories in mind gives us a better understanding of how humans relate to the different animals. It also sets the stage for how I view and relate to the wildlife orphans I rescue and release.

Because of these divisions in the animal world, wildlife rehab is a different sort of animal, so to speak, from keeping livestock or pets. Some creatures are just more easily tamed than others. You’d have an easier time taming a kitten that becomes a house cat than taming a cub that becomes a mountain lion! Most wild creatures have little interest in being tamed. This was quite a revelation to me until I began doing wildlife rehab because I had never thought much about how God created the wild animals in a category all their own. They don’t easily tame because they weren’t originally designed to make good pets. God designed them to be what they are—wild animals. For me, that’s part of what makes wildlife rehabbing such a delight. It’s a rare chance to be around—and even to get my hands on—a whole category of creatures that are otherwise typically out of sight and out of reach.

I also find it fascinating that Scripture identifies Jesus with both the wild animal and livestock categories when He is called in different places, either the Lion or the Lamb. There is no comparison between a lion and a lamb, yet the Savior is called both. That makes sense when you think about it. Each of these greatly divergent creatures in the animal world can teach us so much about Christ’s nature and character. Sometimes I think of Christ as Jesus, Savior, meek and mild—the Lamb. Other times, I think of Christ as Jesus, Savior, strong and wild—the Lion. Both of these amazing facets of His character and nature comfort and encourage me. Thinking about Jesus as both the Lion and the Lamb has provided me with some powerful insights into who He is and how He operates in my life.