August 9, 2022
A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. Proverbs 12:10
Before sin entered our world, there was no suffering of any kind; and certainly no death. The harmony that existed between God’s people and all of the animals was a reality that we wistfully look back upon…. The immense variety of beautiful, tasty vegetation that the Lord made was available for food. There was no such thing as fear and dread between any of the creatures. From the amazing mind of the Infinite Creator came myriads and waves of delight after delight: indescribable joy! Peace reigned over the earth. Think of a scene in nature without so much as a single dead leaf. Our God is the Source of life—vibrant life!—and He desires for our life, in all its fullness, to continue perpetually, eternally. He does not want us to die!
In the wake of man’s disobedience, all of life on earth was affected. With the impurities of the decay of death, the Lord in His graciousness, designated certain of His creatures for much-needed sanitation of the fallen creation. Their bodies provide to this day a filter for impurities that were never meant to enter the body of man. The Lord’s designation to Noah of clean and unclean animals has been passed on to us as His intended firewall against the devil’s diseases (Genesis 7:2).
In our day, there is rising awareness of the ever-growing pollution factor in the air, water, and soil. The wicked farming practices that were predicted by Ellen White are now raging, essentially unchecked. Sadly, there is an enormous level of cruelty incorporated into many of these practices. Each of us should endeavor at once to make sure we are mindful of divine instructions regarding the care of God’s creation, which includes our treatment of animals and the care of our own bodies. The fourth commandment regarding Sabbath rest is also for the animals.
Our witness to children should include the fact of God’s tender regard for animals. Children need to know that animals will most definitely have their place in the earth made new!
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So shall your God rejoice over you. For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth. The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying. It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer. For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea. “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” Isaiah 11:6-7; 62:5b; 65:17a,19b, 24a; Habakkuk 2:14, Revelation 21:5