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Animal cruelty, as a topic within the biblical context, involves the treatment of animals in ways that are considered inhumane or unnecessarily harsh. The Bible, while primarily focused on human relationships and divine commandments, provides insights into the treatment of animals, reflecting God's concern for all His creation.

Creation and Stewardship

The Bible begins with the account of creation, where God creates animals and entrusts humanity with their care. InGenesis 1:26 , God says, "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 implies a responsibility to care for and manage animals wisely and compassionately.

The Sabbath and Rest for Animals

The concept of rest extends to animals in the biblical Sabbath commandment.Exodus 20:10 states, "But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God; on that day you must 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 provision indicates that animals are to be given rest, highlighting their value and the importance of humane treatment.

Proverbs and Wisdom Literature

The Book of Proverbs offers wisdom on the treatment of animals.Proverbs 12:10 declares, "A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty." This verse underscores the moral obligation to treat animals with kindness and respect, contrasting the behavior of the righteous with that of the wicked.

Sacrificial System and Humane Treatment

While the Old Testament includes a sacrificial system involving animals, it also prescribes humane treatment.Deuteronomy 25:4 instructs, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." This command ensures that working animals are not deprived of sustenance, reflecting a broader principle of fairness and care.

Jesus and the Value of Animals

In the New Testament, Jesus acknowledges the value of animals while emphasizing human worth. InMatthew 10:29-31 , He says, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." This passage illustrates God's awareness and care for all creatures, reinforcing the idea that animals are part of His creation and deserve respect.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on animal cruelty is rooted in the broader themes of stewardship, compassion, and justice. While the Bible does not provide exhaustive laws on animal treatment, it offers principles that guide believers in treating animals with kindness and respect, reflecting God's care for all His creation.Proverbs 12:10
A righteous man regards the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
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Genesis 1:30
And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creeps on the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
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Proverbs 27:23
Be you diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds.
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Deuteronomy 25:4
You shall not muzzle the ox when he treads out the corn.
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Of the Fourth Seal.
... from motives of pity and piety, for there was not a more cruelanimal on the... well
as the citizens, nor did he leave any one without some mark of hiscruelty....

Whether a Suitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which...
... iii), "the Law chose that manner of slaying which was least painful to the slain
animal." This excludedcruelty on the part of the offerers, and any mangling...

The Crucifixion.
... is an additional circumstance ofcruelty to affect us in Christ's history, such
as is suggested in Joseph's, but which no instance of a bruteanimal's or of a...

The Invasion of Scythia.
... respect them, the sense of justice, and of the ill desert of violence andcruelty,
are all... Man could not continue to exist, as a gregariousanimal, without them...

A vision of the Last Day
... "And what was theanimal in me... it through and through, and it felt to the quick,
as it had never truly felt before, the burden of its own pride,cruelty, and sin...

Disclosure of the Monstrous Tenets of the Manich??ans.
... truth (for how could it be better designated) pretended compassion, and realcruelty....
folly and absurdity in allowing your followers to eatanimal food, while...

The Likeness of God
... gone up in all ages from the victims of man's greed, lust,cruelty, tyranny, and...
He is only a cunninger sort ofanimal, for better for worse"and for worse as...

On Laughter.
... more than the horse neighs on all occasions because he is a neighinganimal.... former
is a sign of rational human thought; the other infers suspicion ofcruelty....

Nature Cannot be Without Some Good. The Manich??ans Dwell Upon the...
... but thecruelty and ferocity of the lion; and overlooking or disregarding all the
other qualities, should exclaim against the nature of thisanimal as not only...

The Lord of Demons
... They are born to be killed, and nobody cries outcruelty.... The stampede was an unexpected
effect of the commingling of the demonic with theanimal nature, and...

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