Genesis 1:30
30 and to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the heavens, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, `I have given' every green herb for food: and it was so.
Classification
The Principle
This passage qualifies a specific liberty allotted to animals: "to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the heavens, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, `I have given' every green herb for food".
Categories
This principle is understood to be a part of the Principles and Definitions. It establishes the role of plant life as subordinate to animal life; a plant may die so that an animal may eat and live. This principle pertains to the Created Order, and to Food.
Fulfillment
This principle is abiding as a description of nature acting in accordance with God's standards for perfection, but is functionally changed as a result of the fall, (many animals are carnivorous), and is subject to future fulfillment. Isaiah 11:6-9 describes a return to this vegetarian way of life for all animals after the renewal of all creation has been completed by Jesus Christ. Notably, in spite of the conditions apparent after the fall, animals are yet forbidden from "shedding the blood of man" (see Genesis 9).
Topics
This command has direct relevance to an understanding of the following topics:
