1 of 35

THE DAY GOD …

Genesis 1

Hope of the Nations

2 of 35

DAY 5�THE DAY GOD PROVIDED BIOINSPIRATION & �A SPLASH OF CREATIVITY

Hope of the Nations

Class Notes:

3 of 35

Homework

4 of 35

^{Then God said, “Let the waters swarm with fish and other life.}^{Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind.}^{” So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that scurries and swarms in the water,}^{and every sort of bird}^{—each producing offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.}

^{Then God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply. Let the fish fill the seas,}^{and let the birds multiply on the earth}^{.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the fifth day.}

Genesis 1 : 20 - 23

DAY 5

5 of 35

Why did God create birds?

Birds provide food for humans and animals
Bird droppings (guano) is an important source of nitrogen
Birds are seed and fungus spreaders
Birds are voracious exterminators
Birds are sanitation workers
And …

6 of 35

Bioinspiration

They provide …

1.) Many owl species have asymmetrical ears.

2.) The eyes of an owl are not true “eyeballs.” Their tube-shaped eyes are completely immobile, providing binocular vision which fully focuses on their prey and boosts depth perception. They also have extraordinary night vision and far-sightedness, but there's a drawback. Because they are far-sighted, owls can't see objects up close. To make up for this, they have filoplumes—small hair-like feathers on their beaks and feet—to feel out their food when hunting.

3.) Owls have three eyelids. One is for blinking, one is for sleeping, and one is for keeping their eye "tubes" clean.

4.) Owls can rotate their necks 270 degrees. A blood-pooling system collects blood to power their brains and eyes when neck movement cuts off circulation.

5.) A group of owls is called a parliament.

6.) The Northern Hawk Owl can detect—primarily by sight—a vole to eat up to a half a mile away.

7.) Barn Owls swallow their prey whole—skin, bones, and all—and they eat up to 1,000 mice each year.

8.) When flapping is necessary, many owl species have special flight feathers that make the action as silent as possible.

7 of 35

8 of 35

Bioinspiration

9 of 35

Bioinspiration

10 of 35

Bioinspiration

11 of 35

Bioinspiration

12 of 35

Bioinspiration

13 of 35

Types of Feathers

14 of 35

Tanganyika King Fisher

African Skimmer

Yellow-billed Storks

15 of 35

Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? Matthew 6:26

16 of 35

Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.

Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Matthew 10:29 & 31

17 of 35

He will cover you with His feathers,

and under His wings you will find refuge;

His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Psalm 91:4

18 of 35

But those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

19 of 35

God also made …

20 of 35

^{Then God said, “}^{Let the waters swarm with fish and other life.}^{Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind.”}^{So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that scurries and swarms in the water}^{, and every sort of bird—each producing offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.}

^{Then God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply.}^{Let the fish fill the seas}^{, and let the birds multiply on the earth.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the fifth day.}

Genesis 1 : 20 - 23

DAY 5

21 of 35

Why did God create fish?

Fish provide food for humans and animals
Regulation of the food web and are bioindicators
Recycling of nutrients and bottom substrates
Control of hazardous diseases, algae, and vectors (mosquitos)
Shellfish and corrals filter water
And they add …

22 of 35

A Splash of Creativity

23 of 35

Tanganyika Cichlids

Tanganyika Sardines

24 of 35

“But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; and the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; and the fish of the sea will explain to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, in whose hand is the life of every living thing?”

Job 12:7-10

25 of 35

…the fish in the sea,

and everything that swims the ocean currents.

O Lord, our Lord, Your majestic name fills the earth!

Psalm 8

26 of 35

Praise Him, O heaven and earth,

the seas and all that move in them.

Psalm 69:34

27 of 35

28 of 35

Mankind has an active role assigned to him by God in the ecosystem.

Man’s God-given Responsibilities

…according to Genesis

29 of 35

Be fruitful and increase in number (vs. 1:28)
Fill the earth and subdue it (vs. 1:28)
Rule over (have dominion) over creation (vs. 1:28)
To work the earth (2:5 & 2:15)
To take care of it (2:15)

Man’s God-given Responsibilities

…according to Genesis

30 of 35

Stewardship

Matthew 25:14-30
The concept of stewardship for the Christian applies to all things God has blessed us with, including …
His creation or the environment.

31 of 35

Environmental Stewardship

Today, modern environmentalists teach that nature should be not interfered with.
As a result, environmentalists have become like the servant with 1 talent.
Stewardship involves using resources so that they last for future generations (sustainable).

32 of 35

Environmental Stewardship

Awareness of the problem is not enough. A Biblical Environmentalist will see that scripture clearly talks about being good stewards of the gifts God has given us, including His creation.
A Biblical Environmentalist will seek solutions to challenging dilemmas that still allow the environment to be used for its God-given design and purpose.

33 of 35

Become a Biblical Environmentalist

A Christian can still serve at an event like this.
We understand that we are stewards of what God has given us.
We perform our God-given roles.
We are not in denial as to what will ultimately happen to creation.
We look forward to a new heaven and new earth.

34 of 35

Quiz & Homework

Read Matthew 25:14-30. List five “talents” God has given you, list five talents He has given your family, list five talents He has given your school, list five talents He has given your church, and list five talents He has given your community. Now describe ways you can be a good steward of those talents.
Find a feather and put it in your Bible to remind you that you are always “under His wings” of refuge (Psalm 91:4)
Take a picture of a bird, identify it, and show your instructor the photo in tomorrow’s class.

35 of 35

THE DAY GOD …

Hope of the Nations