Dogs

Dogs in the Bible

Dogs are wonderful creatures. Many of us have one or two, maybe more, or have had one as a pet at one point or another. And even if we haven’t, we have seen someone who has a furry friend, or who posts about them on social media. We see dogs as companions, as work animals on farms, or as guards for property. There are movies dedicated to their fictional adventures, books about what it is like to be a dog, and doctors specifically trained to take care of them. After all, they are “man’s best friend.”

One must wonder, with such an animal being such an important part of many people’s lives, if there were some lessons to be learned from them, ones which can advance our knowledge and love of God and help us in our walk in the truth.

Of course, we must ask, are dogs mentioned in the Bible?

Dogs are often mentioned in Scripture, usually in a metaphorical sense, and almost always in a negative light. We are familiar with such verses as:

“As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly” (Prov 26:11).

“His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber” (Isa 56:10).

“Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter” (Isa 56:11).

To be compared to a dog, was, and still is, somewhat of an insult. (As an example, the Hebrew word for a dog is used for a male prostitute in Deut 23:18: see NIV!). Dogs were nasty creatures, capable of and often demonstrating some less than savory habits. To compare someone to such an animal was saying that they were or are, less than human, controlled by base instincts. The important thing to consider is that in ancient days, dogs were not the cuddly friends that they are known as today. At best, they were work animals, much the way that a cow or a horse might be on a farm. They served a purpose. And that purpose would range, as it does today, between guard animal or cleanup crew. And that second part, the clearing of trash, is where they get their nasty reputation.

Dogs will eat almost anything. Primarily, they like meat, and can easily hunt down prey when in a pack. They are strong and full of tools that allow them to smell and hear their quarry efficiently. But, as said, they will eat anything. That includes food that is not safe for human consumption, i.e. garbage. Their bodies are specially designed to handle food that many other animals cannot.

And while this seems a complete contrast with the loveable pooches we know today, dogs throughout the world still carry this reputation, especially in cultures where domesticated dogs are not a standard. So we have creatures that are portrayed throughout history with a dark, gritty nature that is very animalistic.

God’s creation

1. Dogs are a creation of God and display his understanding of the world and our needs.

“And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good” (Gen 1:24-25).

Dogs fall into the sixth day of creation, the formation of all land beasts. As with all his creation, God cares deeply for all that he has made.

“Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” (Matt 6:26).

And beyond simply caring, God made each animal, each plant, to work together to allow the world to function as he saw fit. Once death became a reality, he had beasts prepared to take care of the remains. This cleanup crew, while detestable in the eyes of man, is actually a beautiful representation of God’s perfect planning.

We see an example of this:

“And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window. And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master? And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs. And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot. And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this cursed woman, and bury her: for she is a king’s daughter. And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands. Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This is the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel” (2 Kgs 9:30-36).

This is a miracle because it had been prophesied beforehand. And any who saw the end result would think of it as such. Jezebel disappeared, destroyed so badly that her body could not be found. But this was not some supernatural beast or magical spell, just the world God had created, functioning as he intended.

God knows his creation. Yes, he performs miracles, but he does so within the realm of nature. Dogs are one of many examples of God’s perfect design.

The same thing can be said about us. God knows us intimately, our flaws and our needs. He knows how we can fit in with his grand scheme. He knows how much we can take and how far we can go. This is not a god blind to our nature, but a god who is fully aware at all times as to who we are.

We see dogs who take on roles as service animals, we have studies showing dogs relieve stress, examples of dogs being able to detect disease. And these are not modern developments in the animal, but things God put in place for when there would be a need, showing He knows His creations from when they are first formed, to the end of time.

2. Dogs can be taught to be useful, and sometimes the training is hard.

As was mentioned before, dogs’ base instincts are less than desirable. No better example of this is than when a puppy is taken into a new home. Where does it relieve itself? Base instincts tell it that anywhere will do. What can it chew on? Whatever fits in its mouth. What should it do when scared? If relieving itself doesn’t work, it has a mouth full of sharp teeth that may drive the scary things away. It is only through training and discipline that good behavior is taught to the dog.

Most dogs and wild animals are like this. If they are to be good pets or work animals, they must be shown how they are expected to live and behave.

This has been going on throughout history

“And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods” (1 Sam 17:43).

A staff would have been, and has been used to correct (not abuse) a dog’s behavior throughout history, all the way up to a modern version of a newspaper, or flicking a nose. And while this is not the most socially acceptable training method in modern day dog whispering, it has been an effective tool of instruction.

And dogs, being wonderful learners, are able to apply this to their daily lives, adjusting to an acceptable manner of how they conduct themselves.

There are many ways to train dogs, some less pleasant than others, but the fact remains that dogs can be trained by their masters to put off old, natural mannerisms in favor of ones that are pleasing.

Of course, this is similar to how we are trained in the path towards the kingdom.

“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor 13:11).

When we are outside of God’s word, learning, developing, we are still ruled over by nature, just as a dog in the wild is in survival mode. We too, without God’s direction, are simply trying to survive, like children who don’t know better.

God, in an effort to train us in a better way of life, uses various methods, until we decide to put off nature, and adapt a way of life that is pleasing to God, the same way a dog learns to please his master. And as God knows us, His creations, He in turn knows what we have left to learn and how best to guide us to this path.

Some of the lessons are difficult, what some might consider cruel, like a staff that leaves metaphorical welts in an effort to redirect our paths. Other lessons are kind, like treats or pats on the head to indicate that the behavior was pleasing to our all wise master.

It is important to remember that these lessons, or trials, are not meant as punishments, but as redirecting.

“For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings” (Hos 6:6).

God wants us to know Him and understand His will and purpose. He wants us to be willing servants to Him and is willing to train us to be what He desires.

3. Dogs can feel genuine love for their masters.

There is nothing quite like seeing a dog wag their tail in joy at seeing their loved ones return home. Dogs are one of the few animals that know and experience an emotional attachment to others, equal to love. In fact, dogs are ranked as the most intelligent non-ape creature for their ability to learn commands and respond to behavior to creatures that are not dogs (i.e. humans).

Part of this is learned behavior. Dogs are able to learn, over time, that their masters (good ones) care for them. They know that it is from said masters that food is provided, that shelter is given, and that love is reciprocated. Dogs in turn view this master as a leader, someone that is good to be around, and are fiercely loyal to that master. This is not unlike our relationship with God.

“Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt 6:26-33).

God, in addition to knowing our usefulness, knows our needs and will meet them. He will make sure that we receive the things we need in the time that they are needed. We do not truly have a say in when we receive such things, as to when or where these gifts will be provided, no more than a dog begging for dinner can control when the master gives it to him.

A dog can ask, just as we can pray, and just like a master who cares for their pet, God will deliver us the sustenance when we need it. We should in turn love Him, and be loyal to Him.

Yet we sometimes forget from whom all has been given.

“And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:16-21).

No, God does not reach down and hand us our food, or our clothes, but He does provide opportunities for us to get such things. He makes sure that there is enough food for the land to eat, makes sure that rain comes down at the appropriate moments. We can never take credit for all God has and does take care of for our needs to be met.

This understanding, this comprehension that it is God who provides, and not our own hand, comes only from the knowledge of His nature. Through our own training in life and the understanding of who God is, we can appreciate and love Him for all he is and all He does.

4. We are not dogs

A metaphor is a comparison of two things that are similar. In this case, we have been comparing some, not all, of the aspects of dogs to our walks in the truth. Their base nature, which not only is a representation of God’s full understanding of His creation, can represent us without God: surviving, but aimless. Searching for sustenance with no knowledge of the source of it.

Training a dog is like the trials of our own lives, the struggles and rewards of our walk in the truth. God knows what we can handle, knows when to use the rod and when to use the reward. He understands what it will take to bring us to realize how much better our lives will be with Him in them.

And through this perhaps somewhat similar training, a dog’s love and loyalty is a beautiful picture of how our relationship with God should be, full of faithfulness and devotion to our provider.

But…

A metaphor compares two similar things, not two exact things. And in the end, it is important to remember that we are not dogs.

As smart as they are, a dog’s love is based on a pack mentality and is that of master and servant.

And while our relationship with God is similar to that of a dog and human, it is so much deeper than that. Our God gives life, provides us with physical nourishment, but also strength and comfort from the stressors in our lives. His love is so much more than that of a master to a servant, more even than that of a parent to a child.

God loved us so much that He was willing to sacrifice His only son, so that we might be able to be brought into a covenant relationship with Him. This is not the kind of love that one gives to a beast, but to one with whom a real relationship exists. God knows that we have the ability to reason and make this choice of our own accord, something no animal is able to do.

God does not train us so that we will obey for treats or to avoid a mild punishment, He trains us to that we can be part of something grand, to bring us into His plan and purpose. He guides us so that we might be brought closer to Him, to build our love for Him. He is not seeking pets, He is seeking children who can join in His plan and purpose for this world.

It is this plan and that purpose that brings us together each week, more than that. Not as dogs but as brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ, having put off natural instincts to be better and to have purpose. To remember the power of God’s love and the length He is willing to go to bring us to Him. To adopt us from a wilderness of sin, into a house of righteousness. To show us a better path, and the love that follows will bring us to an everlasting kingdom.