Topical Bible: Beasts: Domestic: Not to be Cruelly Used

◄ Beasts: Domestic: Not to be Cruelly Used ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The treatment of domestic animals in the Bible reflects a broader principle of stewardship and compassion that is expected of God's people. The Scriptures provide guidance on the humane treatment of animals, emphasizing that they are part of God's creation and should be treated with care and respect.

Biblical Mandates for Kindness to Animals

The Bible contains several passages that instruct the faithful to treat animals with kindness and consideration. In the Book of Proverbs, it is written, "A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty" (Proverbs 12:10). This verse highlights the moral obligation of the righteous to care for their animals, contrasting it with the cruelty that characterizes the wicked.

Sabbath Rest for Animals

The principle of rest on the Sabbath extends to animals as well. In Exodus 20:10, the commandment for the Sabbath includes a provision for animals: "but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God; on it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates" . This commandment underscores the importance of allowing animals to rest, recognizing their need for recuperation and well-being.

Humane Treatment in Agricultural Practices

The Mosaic Law also provides specific instructions for humane agricultural practices. Deuteronomy 25:4 states, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain" . This law ensures that working animals are allowed to eat while they labor, reflecting a concern for their welfare and sustenance.

Compassionate Care in Daily Life

In addition to these specific laws, the Bible includes narratives that illustrate the importance of compassionate care for animals. For example, in the account of Balaam, God opens the mouth of Balaam's donkey to speak, highlighting the animal's suffering and Balaam's lack of awareness (Numbers 22:21-33). This account serves as a reminder of the need to be attentive to the needs and distress of animals.

Theological Implications

The humane treatment of animals is rooted in the theological understanding that all of creation is valued by God. In Genesis, God gives humanity dominion over the animals (Genesis 1:26-28), but this dominion is not a license for exploitation or cruelty. Instead, it is a call to stewardship, reflecting God's care and compassion for all living creatures.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on the treatment of domestic animals is clear: they are to be treated with kindness and respect. The Scriptures provide a framework for understanding the moral and ethical responsibilities of humans towards animals, emphasizing that cruelty is inconsistent with the character of the righteous. Through laws, narratives, and theological principles, the Bible calls for a compassionate and humane approach to the care of domestic beasts.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 22:27-32
And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 12:10
A righteous man regards the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Resemblance Between the Old Testament and the New.
... as if he was the cause of domestic disturbance by ... in honour abideth not: he is like
the beasts that perish ... were in question, the victory was not difficult, much ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 the resemblance between.htm

Of Civil Government.
... may use for the maintenance of their domestic state, which ... king of Babylon, my servant:
and the beasts of the ... not to look behind them, that is, not to inquire ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians.
... Beasts, wild, do not hurt unless straitened, [832]368 ... 1576]232; spoiling of,
[1577]349; cruelly seized, [1578 ... Good works, done with bad motives, not good, and ...
/.../homilies on philippians colossians and.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... with those which the Mediterranean natives used for their ... better than to avenge the
provinces so cruelly harassed, and ... on the banks of the Tigris, not far from ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... of Syria between them, and their domestic history gives ... will I regard the peace
offerings of your fat beasts. ... the absence of the Urartians they did not dare to ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... divine victims which were offered when beasts were slaughtered ... Not that there was
no death, for death, too ... in the beginning, but while cruelly persecuting both ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

Footnotes
... of life, when they were unencumbered by domestic cares, and ... 157 [That is, not to
speak of."Ed ... 158 [This simple vernacular expression, which is used by other ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... Should peace be preserved, domestic, social, and national purity ... an ox, and to company
with the beasts"Daniel did ... Almighty gave his people grace, not to hate ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

The Holy War,
... know there's divers sorts, Some foreign, some domestic; and reports ... For, quoth he,
these are not only familiar to ... the body of one of these beasts that Mansoul ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy war.htm

part i
... all animals"in birds, fishes, reptiles, beasts, and men ... like an animal that was once
domestic, but afterwards ... opened to him, and he does not constantly strive ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm