God cares deeply about all of His creation, including animals. Today, we’ll see what the Bible says about treating animals with kindness and respect as stewards of His world.
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What Does The Bible Say About Cruelty To Animals
Genesis 1:25
“God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.”
This verse highlights God’s creation of animals and His acknowledgement that they are good. It emphasizes the value and importance of animals in God’s eyes, promoting a reverence and care for all living creatures.
Proverbs 12:10
“The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.”
This verse emphasizes the responsibility of the righteous to care for the needs of their animals. It condemns cruelty towards animals, stating that even well-intentioned acts by the wicked can be considered cruel if it neglects the welfare of animals.
Matthew 10:29
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.”
In this verse, Jesus reassures His disciples that every sparrow is under the care and attention of God the Father. It demonstrates God’s love and concern for even the smallest and seemingly insignificant creatures, emphasizing the value and worth of all animals.
Proverbs 27:23
“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.”
This verse encourages shepherds and livestock owners to be attentive and knowledgeable about the well-being of their animals. It emphasizes the importance of responsible stewardship and highlights the need for compassionate care for animals under our charge.
Deuteronomy 22:6
“If you come across a bird’s nest beside the road, either in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with the young.”
This verse instructs people to show compassion towards animals by not taking the mother bird with her young if they come across a bird’s nest. It promotes the idea of preserving the natural order and respecting the bond between mother and offspring in the animal kingdom.
Proverbs 14:21
“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”
While this verse does not directly mention animals, it reminds us of the importance of compassion and generosity. It encourages us to extend our care and kindness not only to humans but also to creatures in need, reinforcing the principle of treating all living beings with love and consideration.
Psalms 36:6
“Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.”
This verse acknowledges that God’s righteousness and justice extend to the preservation and care of both humans and animals. It affirms God’s role as the ultimate protector and emphasizes the value He places on the well-being of all living creatures.
Job 12:7-10
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”
In this passage, Job acknowledges the wisdom that can be gained by observing and interacting with animals, birds, and nature. He recognizes that the existence and well-being of all creatures are in the hands of the Lord, reinforcing the idea that animals deserve our care and respect.
Luke 12:6
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.”
Jesus once again draws attention to the value of sparrows and emphasizes that even the most insignificant of creatures are not forgotten by God. This verse serves as a reminder to treat animals with kindness and respect, recognizing that they too are under the loving watch of our Heavenly Father.
Psalm 145:9
“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”
This verse affirms that God’s goodness and compassion extend to all He has created. It emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of God’s love, pointing to the fact that His care and compassion encompass both humans and animals.
Proverbs 12:27
“The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.”
This verse encourages diligence and responsible stewardship. It suggests that those who have the privilege of hunting should not be lazy or wasteful, but rather show respect for the animals by utilizing the resources provided to sustain themselves and others.
Leviticus 19:20
“Do not mate different kinds of animals.”
Although this verse primarily addresses a different topic, it indirectly promotes a principle of not exploiting animals through crossbreeding or any genetic manipulation that may harm or exploit the natural order of different species.
Job 35:11
“Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds in the sky?”
This verse highlights the lessons that can be learned from observing and studying animals. It acknowledges their role in teaching us about the world we live in and the wisdom that can be gained through our relationship with them.
Isaiah 11:6
“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.”
This verse paints a picture of peace and harmony among different species, where even the natural predator-prey relationships cease to exist. It offers a vision of a future where animals coexist peacefully, serving as a reminder of the importance of cultivating harmonious relationships with animals in the present.
Proverbs 27:23-24
“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.”
These verses emphasize the importance of responsible animal husbandry. They encourage us to be attentive to the needs and well-being of our livestock and remind us that material wealth is temporary, whereas our stewardship of God’s creation can have lasting impact.
Ezekiel 34:18
“Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?”
This verse serves as a strong rebuke to those who abuse their privilege by exploiting and destroying the natural resources needed by animals for survival. It highlights the importance of using resources responsibly and respecting the needs of other creatures that share the same environment.
James 3:7-8
“All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”
Although this verse primarily addresses human speech, it indirectly reminds us that we have been given the ability to tame and interact with animals. It implies a sense of responsibility in our relationship with animals and serves as a caution against using our power inappropriately or destructively.
Exodus 23:5
“If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it.”
This verse encourages kindness and empathy towards animals. It instructs us to help even the animals of those who may not have positive feelings towards us, reinforcing the importance of extending compassion and care to all creatures in need.
Isaiah 65:25
“The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the Lord.”
This verse presents a vision of a future where animals coexist peacefully and do not pose a threat to one another. It emphasizes the harmony and peaceful existence that God desires for all His creation.
Proverbs 20:17
“Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.”
Though this verse primarily pertains to ill-gotten wealth, it can be applied to the mistreatment of animals. It suggests that any pleasure or gain derived from exploiting or mistreating animals will eventually lead to negative consequences and a sense of dissatisfaction.
Joel 1:18
“How the cattle moan! The herds mill about because they have no pasture; even the flocks of sheep are suffering.”
This verse depicts a scene of animals suffering due to the lack of pasture. It serves as a reminder of our responsibility to provide for the basic needs of animals under our care, emphasizing the importance of ensuring their well-being and alleviating their suffering.
Deuteronomy 25:4
“Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”
This verse promotes kindness and fairness towards working animals. It encourages us not to deprive them of the reward of their labor but to treat them justly and provide for their needs.
Psalms 50:10-11
“For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.”
In these verses, God declares His ownership and intimate knowledge of every animal in His creation. It reminds us that animals are not mere commodities but cherished by God, reinforcing the importance of treating them with dignity and care.
Job 38:41
“Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?”
This verse highlights God’s provision for His creatures, even those often considered less significant. It draws attention to His care for the needs of animals and encourages us to be mindful of their well-being as well.
Psalm 147:9
“He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.”
This verse celebrates God’s provision for animals, specifically emphasizing His care for cattle and young ravens. It inspires gratitude and reminds us of our role in being good stewards of God’s creation, including the animals under His care.
Psalms 104:24-25
“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small.”
This passage celebrates the vastness and diversity of God’s creation. It acknowledges that all creatures, from the smallest to the largest, are a result of God’s wisdom and creativity. It invites us to appreciate the incredible variety and intricacy of the animal kingdom.