Introduction

In Genesis chapter 1, we see the creation of everything. God took six days to create the planet we live on and everything to sustain us. In chapter 2, Moses (the writer of Genesis) gives a detailed description of the creation of man and woman which took place on Day 6 (Gen. 1:26-31).

In this article, I want to look at a specific difference between the creation of animal and man. We all understand the basics of what separates the two, but there is something that is more specific found in the chapters of creation.

Creation of Animals

In Days 5 and 6, God created animal life, Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” So the evening and the morning were the fifth day. Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:20-25)

In Gen. 2:19, it shows how the animals were created, Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air…

For those who have read these chapters multiple times, are familiar with these verses. Nothing new should pop out at you about the creation of animals. However, when man and woman were created, you will notice two differences.

Creation of Man

Moving to Gen. 2:7, we see a description of how man was created, And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

Although it doesn’t say as such in regard to the animal life, it is safe to say that God breathed life into animals as well because He made them from the ground as He did man (Gen. 2:19).

No Dogs Go to Heaven

Both man and animal life were created from the ground (Gen. 2:7, 19). And God breathed life into both as living things, something He didn’t do with the plant life. However, going back to Gen. 1, we see what separates Man from animal.

Moses wrote, Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26-28)

Immediately, the bible student would notice that in verse 26, man was to be made in the image of God. He didn’t say that of any animal or plant life on Earth, just man. This shows that man (both male and female) is a special creation. This is what separates us from animals.

Looking again at verse 7, here is the verse from the King James Version of the scriptures, And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7 KJV)

Not only did God give man the breath of life, as He did with animals, but also a soul as man was created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26). That soul would be eternal and continue on in the afterlife whereas the animal and plant life would simply return to the ground.

Conclusion

As tragic as it may seem, for some people, that they won’t see their pets again in the afterlife, they should appreciate them now while they are alive. More importantly, however, we should appreciate the fact that we are destined to live eternally with the Father provided we obey His gospel.

If you want to become a true New Testament Christian, here’s what you need to do:

Hear the Word of God (Rom. 10:17)

Believe Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24)

Confess Jesus is the Son of God (Rom. 10:9-10)

Repent of your sins (Acts 2:38)

Become baptized to wash away your sins (Acts 22:16)

Live Faithfully even unto Death (Rev. 2:10)

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to post them here.