The Purpose of Animals, as Defined by the Bible

God Created Animals to Enjoy their Lives

As the Bible shows, God created animals (Gen 1:20–25, 2:19–20) to enjoy their lives. For instance, the Lord created Leviathan (a serpent) to play in the sea (Ps 104:24–26). Similarly, Job 40:20 describes wild animals playing in the mountains. Finally, Job 39:13 implies that ostriches flap their wings with joy. Therefore, God created animals to enjoy their lives. Animals were also made to honor (Isa 43:20), praise (Ps 150:6), and acknowledge their Creator (Job 12:7–9), and follow his commands (1 Kgs 17:1–6).

God Created Animals to Be Friends to Humans

Naming in the Bible designates a special relationship, specifically friendship. For instance, God named Abraham (Gen 17:3–5), Sarah (17:15), and Israel (32:28) from their previous names. Fittingly, Abraham was considered a friend to God (Isa 41:8; James 2:23). Likewise, Jesus named Peter from his previous name (John 1:42). Similarly, following God’s encouragement, Adam named the creatures (Gen 2:18–20) under his care (1:26–28), showing that the Lord created animals (1:20–25) to be friends to humans. Likewise, this naming is seen today with humans worldwide who name the companion animals (2:20) under their care (1:26–28), a living embodiment of the friendship the Lord intended between humans and animals. Therefore, God created animals to be friends with humans.

This friendship between animals and humans that God designed is praised and positively exemplified in the Bible. Specifically, in 2 Samuel 12:1–15, David confessed his sin after Nathan told him a story about a poor man who bought a lamb. This lamb grew up among this poor man’s children, snuggled in his arms, drank from his cup, and ate from his plate. This lamb was like a daughter to him. Though this biblical story doesn’t end well (12:1–4), it praises and positively depicts God’s design of friendship between humans and animals.