The Righteous Care for Animals

Proverbs 12:10   

10 The righteous know the needs of their animals,
    but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

In the ancient world animals were an essential part of any household operation. The farm had oxen to plow the fields. They also had donkeys to carry produce to market. City based merchants relied on donkeys to pull wagon loads of goods. Even the wealthy needed animals as means of transportation.

This passage suggests that the way people treat the animals of their household is not only an indication of whether they are caring people or not, it is also an indication of their state of the soul – whether they are righteous or not.

The righteous care for the animals over which they have responsibility (dominion (Genesis 1:26, 28)). A sign of our following God is how we treat the animals in our circle of responsibility. Have we learned enough about them to be able to respond to their needs? Such an ability requires developing empathy, recognizing that having responsibility for another, even an animal, is a call to serve with caring and compassion. Mercy is a trait righteous people show to their animals. 

On the other hand, the mercy that the wicked attempt to show their animals is hurtful. As those who study criminal behaviour note, the way people treat animals can be a sign of how they will treat people.

Being right with God shows up in the way we live our lives, including how we live with the creation, including the animals. As we will see (Colossians 1) Jesus Christ has come to reconcile all things, which would include the relationship between human beings and animals.

PRAYER:

God of mercy and reconciliation, we wish to be people who demonstrate mercy and compassion in our lives, growing from the mercy and compassion that are in you. Shape us that we would be merciful towards the creation, and the animals in our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.