Topical Bible: Mercy: should be Shown: To Animals

◄ Mercy: should be Shown: To Animals ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of mercy extends beyond human interactions and is a significant theme in the treatment of animals within the biblical narrative. The Bible provides guidance on the ethical treatment of animals, emphasizing that they are part of God's creation and deserving of care and compassion.

Biblical Foundations

1. Creation and Stewardship: In Genesis 1:26, God grants humanity dominion over the animals, which implies a responsibility to care for them. This dominion is not a license for exploitation but a call to stewardship, reflecting God's own care for His creation.

2. Sabbath Rest for Animals: The commandment to observe the Sabbath includes rest for animals. Exodus 20:10 states, "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 animals, nor the foreigner within your gates." This provision underscores the importance of allowing animals to rest and recuperate, recognizing their need for mercy and care.

3. Prohibition of Cruelty: Proverbs 12:10 highlights the righteous treatment of animals: "A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." This verse contrasts the behavior of the righteous, who show mercy to their animals, with the wicked, who lack compassion.

4. Kindness in Agricultural Practices: Deuteronomy 25:4 instructs, "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 principle of kindness and fairness in the treatment of animals.

5. Compassion in the Law: The Mosaic Law includes specific instructions that demonstrate compassion towards animals. For example, Deuteronomy 22:6-7 advises that if one finds a bird's nest, they should not take the mother with the young, allowing the species to continue and showing respect for the life of the animals.

6. God's Care for Animals: The book of Jonah illustrates God's concern for animals. In Jonah 4:11, God expresses His compassion not only for the people of Nineveh but also for the animals: "And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?"

Theological Implications

The biblical mandate to show mercy to animals reflects the broader theological principle that all of creation is valued by God. Humans, created in the image of God, are called to mirror His character, which includes His mercy and compassion. By treating animals with kindness and respect, believers demonstrate their obedience to God's commands and their understanding of His love for all His creatures.

In summary, the Bible provides a framework for the merciful treatment of animals, emphasizing stewardship, compassion, and ethical responsibility. These principles guide believers in their interactions with animals, encouraging a reflection of God's mercy in all aspects of life.

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

Faustus Fails to Understand Why He Should be Required Either to ...
... to death; [1038] or that no mercy should be shown ... what you think a discrepancy, we
have shown that there ... intolerable that the reader or learner should dare to ...
/.../faustus fails to understand why.htm

The Crucifixion.
... It is indeed a great mercy that this duty which I ... you read of wanton and unfeeling
acts shown towards the ... How overpowered should we be, nay not at the sight ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon x the crucifixion.htm

Of Existence, and Knowledge of It, and the Love of Both.
... an immortality, in which their misery should be deathless, and should offer the ... must
die, they seek, as a great boon, that this mercy be shown them, that ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 27 of existence and knowledge.htm

From Sinai to Kadesh.
... (2) The law of Mercy. ... slaves, and also to domestic animals; This is beautifully shown
in the ... and every transgressor, such as the man who should commit adultery ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter vi from sinai to.htm

Introduction
... of God's unmerited and unmeritable mercy, the book ... following outline we have merely
shown the subdivisions ... the content that Genesis offers should be subtracted ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/introduction.htm

Whether Simple Fornication is a Mortal Sin?
... of Christian teaching is summed up in mercy and godliness ... But fornication debars
him, as shown by the words ... venial." For instead of "venial" it should be "venal ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether simple fornication is a.htm

Faustus Willing to Believe not Only that the Jewish but that all ...
... are taught by Christ, we have already shown that, as ... what this meaneth, I will have
mercy, and not ... have condemned the innocent." [619] They should rather have ...
/.../faustus willing to believe not.htm

Philippians i. 22-26
... Peter, too, became so great, because mercy was shown him ... mercy of God is upon all
flesh." [576] But if these men needed the mercy of God, what should one say ...
/.../homily iv philippians i 22-26.htm

What is Man?
... why he saw good to show this mercy to ours ... Why should we doubt it of Jupiter and
Saturn themselves ... truth, " that the almighty Creator hath shown that regard to ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 103 what is man.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xx. 30, About the Two Blind Men ...
... indeed that if the Father were shown him, it ... to be heard, and to obtain the Lord's
mercy, that same ... a little before "rebuked them that they should hold their ...
/.../sermon xxxviii on the words.htm