Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 22; Psalm 110-111; Isaiah 49; Revelation 19
If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young: But thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to thee; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days. (Deuteronomy 22:6-7)
What a strange command in the Word of God! Why would the Lord give such specific instructions regarding bird's nests? The answer lies in the compassion and mercy of our God. He cares for the lives of all his creatures. He most especially cares for the crown of his creation – man. If we do not know how to treat animals, we will lose out in the end because we will destroy our own compassionate soul and we will destroy our food supply.
First, the compassionate soul would not destroy a family of creatures all at one time. Let the dam go. She will lay more eggs and have more young. Take the eggs or the young ones for food. God commanded Noah to take the parents of this bird on the ark so that all creatures could once again repopulate the earth after the flood. Every time you see an animal, you are looking at a creature that God designed. If you are cruel to an animal, you are a not a compassionate person.
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. (Proverbs 12:10)
God looks at the way you treat animals. The righteous man cares about the life of his beast. If you are cruel to animals, you are cruel.
Second, if you destroy both dam and her young, very soon there will be no birds left. We should not destroy animals in that way. God has given us the animals to eat. Eating animals is not cruel. Mistreating them or completely killing off an entire family is.
Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. (Genesis 9:3)
For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:4-5)
God takes care of all his creatures:
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? (Matthew 6:26)
Our Father in heaven cares for animals. We should too. But never forget that we are much better than the animals. God is no radical environmentalist that gives animals more rights than people. Jesus died on the cross to show you the love of God. People are much better than animals according to Jesus.
In Christ,
Rody
