Animal Symbolism in the Bible- Part 3
This is our third and final installment in our study of animals in the Bible and their symbolic application.
Horse
I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle. Jeremiah 8:6 (KJV)
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. Psalm 147:10 (KJV)
A horse is strong and fast, and were used in battle. God wants us strong for battle, not running away when things are hard. We must stay strong for the fight. We are to fight the good fight of faith, fighting until we win. We are to be strong in the Lord and not in the flesh. And as a horse supports a rider, God gives us support in our journey.
Vulture
And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray, And the vulture, and the kite after his kind; Leviticus 11:13-14 (KJV)
Vultures are unclean, nasty birds. They are scavengers. They represent evil spirits.
And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up…. And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. Mark 4:4, 15 (KJV)
And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away. Genesis 15:11 (KJV)
Fowls came down to devour the sacrifice, and Abraham drove them away. We must drive the devil from our lives so he does not devour what God gives us. In the same way, there are some people we must drive away and keep out of our lives. The devil and his demons often work through people, so keep away from unclean people. We can talk to and witness to unbelievers, but we must maintain a certain distance for our own good.
Ox
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. Proverbs 14:4 (KJV)
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:62 (KJV)
For it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? I Corinthians 9:9-11 (KJV)
An ox is a strong animal and is one who plows and labors. An ox is not afraid of work. We are all to be laborers for Christ in the harvest field, but we are to especially strengthen and give to those who are ministers of God, doing the Work of the Lord.
We are to put our hands to the plow and not look back, committing ourselves to serving God. Elisha burnt his oxen and yokes, sacrificing the oxen he used to plow his fields. Thus, he burnt up his natural security, forsaking all to follow the Lord. He left natural work to do spiritual work, relying on God to provide. Let’s all work for our Master, Jesus, until He calls us home.
Conclusion
God used animals to communicate certain attributes and characteristics. They represent God, various people, the devil, demons, etc. He uses visible things to describe to us spiritual truths. In these animals, we‘ve seen Christ, believers, unbelievers, satan, and so on. Let’s learn from these symbols to have a good life and become everything God made us to be.
