Yellow-throated Scrubwren (Sericornis citreogularis) by Ian

I have been searching through my e-Sword Bible program for God’s Commands and Promises that relate to birds. Here are some of my findings. I have used not only the Bible, but also like to use the Topical Bibles, like Naves and Torrey’s, which are in the Dictionary section. Recently more Bible versions, Dictionaries, Commentaries and other information was added to my program. The Bible Support, which I recently discovered, is loaded with additions to add to the e-Sword program. Just like the program, these are free also. (You can buy special versions and commentaries, etc.)

Blue-gray Gnacatcher by Dan at Circle B Bar Reserve

And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth. (Genesis 1:22 NKJV)

Starting in Genesis, we see God, through the LORD, creating the birds and then giving them a command. Be fruitful and multiply. This was not a do it if you want command, it was a direct command from God. Have the birds done so? Look around you and answer that for yourself.

Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus) by Ian

God also told Adam and Eve the same thing; to multiply, but He also gave them dominion over the birds.

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 1:28 NKJV)

You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen— Even the beasts of the field, The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas.
(Psalms 8:6-8 NKJV)

When the Flood came, God told Noah that the birds and other critters would come to him that they may be kept alive. Dominion here means to be responsible for them. Adam was told to provide food for his family and the animals.

Of the birds after their kind, of animals after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. (Genesis 6:20 NKJV)

also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth. (Genesis 7:3 NKJV)

So He destroyed all living things which were on the face of the ground: both man and cattle, creeping thing and bird of the air. They were destroyed from the earth. Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive. (Genesis 7:23 NKJV)

Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you: birds and cattle and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth. (Genesis 8:17 NKJV)

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) by Ray

The above verses give not only God’s commands to the birds, but He also promised to keep them alive during the Flood. God did not fail to keep those promises. It is said of Abraham in Romans chapter 4:

No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. (Romans 4:20-21 ESV)

We will cover more of the commands and promises of God to the birds (and us) in future Parts. God loves the birds and especially us.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 ESV)

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