The Flood – Genesis 6:5-7:24

The First Zoo

I love zoos and animal parks… at least the ones where the animals are well cared for!  A few years back, the church graciously provided us with a one-month sabbatical for rest, reading, and renewal. One of the highlights of our time was being able to visit wildlife parks and zoos.  I remember spending hours (at least it seemed like it) watching the tigers at Busch Gardens in Tampa!  Zoos play an important role in conservation efforts… and in protecting species from endangerment and extinction.

I know that there are probably some greater theological truths in this scripture passage than what I’m about to say… but I’m going to say it anyway:

God cared about the animals too!

He could have started over with the animals.  He could have saved Noah a lot of time and energy by letting Noah build a much smaller boat… one that didn’t also function as a floating menagerie.  But He didn’t.

As we read through the Creation accounts this week, we are reminded of the great care that God took in the creation of the world, the plants, the animals, and humanity. If we are going to reflect the Image of God to the world around us, then probably we also ought to exemplify care in the way we treat the creation.