Topical Bible: Taking Care of Animals

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Bible provides numerous insights into the care and stewardship of animals, reflecting a broader theological understanding of God's creation and humanity's role within it. From the very beginning, Scripture establishes a framework for the relationship between humans and animals, emphasizing responsibility, compassion, and stewardship.

Creation and Dominion

In the Genesis account, God creates animals and entrusts humanity with their care. Genesis 1:26-28 states, "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.'" This dominion is not a license for exploitation but a call to stewardship, reflecting God's own care and order in creation.

The Covenant with Noah

After the flood, God establishes a covenant with Noah, his descendants, and "every living creature" (Genesis 9:9-10). This covenant underscores the value God places on all living beings and the continuity of His care for creation. It serves as a reminder of humanity's ongoing responsibility to protect and preserve animal life.

The Law and Animal Welfare

The Mosaic Law contains specific commandments regarding the treatment of animals, highlighting the importance of compassion and justice. For instance, Deuteronomy 25:4 instructs, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." This law ensures that animals are treated fairly and allowed to benefit from their labor.

Similarly, Exodus 23:5 commands, "If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it." This directive emphasizes the moral obligation to assist animals in distress, regardless of personal feelings toward their owners.

Proverbs and Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Bible also speaks to the care of animals. Proverbs 12:10 states, "A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty." This proverb highlights the connection between righteousness and the compassionate treatment of animals, suggesting that a person's character is reflected in how they care for their animals.

Jesus and the New Testament

While the New Testament does not focus extensively on animals, Jesus' teachings and actions reflect a broader ethic of care and compassion that extends to all of creation. In Matthew 6:26 , Jesus points to the birds of the air as examples of God's provision, saying, "Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them."

Additionally, Jesus' reference to the Sabbath in Matthew 12:11-12 underscores the importance of mercy, even toward animals: "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."

Theological Implications

The biblical mandate to care for animals is rooted in the understanding that all creation belongs to God and reflects His glory. Humanity's role as stewards is to mirror God's love and care for His creation, recognizing the intrinsic value of all living beings. This stewardship is an expression of obedience to God's commands and a reflection of His character in the world.

Topical Bible Verses

Romans 13:9
For this, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, You shall not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
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Library

He Careth for You
... of taking care of us. His care is proved in his making so beautiful a world to be
our home. The flowers, the fruits, the grains, the grasses, the animals, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk fifty-two he careth for.htm

Moses.
... at last he was obliged to leave Egypt, and became a shepherd, taking care of the ...
be a pest to the people, and caused many of the useful animals which belonged ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/wee ones bible stories/moses.htm

The True Gnostic Exercises Patience and Self-Restraint.
... associated with the impulses and perceptions of the irrational animals, but they ...
We must then exercise ourselves in taking care about those things which fall ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xx the true gnostic exercises.htm

The Peace of God
... Do I mean that we are to submit slavishly to circumstances, like dumb animals? ...
him"he is a coward or a mutineer, while he fancies he is taking care of himself ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxv the peace of.htm

The Great Flood.
... great eagles, and through the door on the side came the families of animals, two
by ... He still sends the rainbow to show us that He is taking care of this world ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter ii the great flood.htm

Concerning John of Gischala. Concerning the Zealots and the High ...
... reproaching your relations; but by neglecting that care in time ... the best of the herd
of brute animals, as it ... withal see those of our own nation taking our spoils ...
/.../chapter 3 concerning john of.htm

Of God, his Care and Anger.
... But if God carries on the care of the world, it ... which is contained even in the dumb
animals; but it ... by Cicero, "Anger is the desire of taking vengeance," does ...
/.../chap xvii of god his care.htm

Concerning the Famine that Happened in Judea and Syria; and How ...
... And Herod taking care the people should understand that this ... But still he took care
to have external ... honor to images, or representations of animals, after the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 concerning the famine.htm

Men Often Highly Esteem what God Abhors.
... But what does all this really amount to? The man is just taking care of himself;
that is all. ... And in their love of men they fall below some animals. ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xxi men often highly esteem.htm

Origen Against Celsus
... The TRUE God, however, neither employs irrational animals, nor any individuals whom ...
And still continuing a little confused, and not taking care to see what was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/