I do another blog that is a Bible Study from the book of Proverbs, and today’s verse is one that is just so close to my heart that I wanted to share it here as well. I don’t think very many of you follow both blogs, so hopefully this won’t be a re-run for you.
Today’s verse talks about the way people treat their animals as being a way to judge their character. I find this interesting because we see more and more animal abuse and neglect as the incidence of other forms of crime, abuse and neglect rise.
Proverbs 12: 10 (NKJV)
10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal,
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
righteous: Morally upright; without guilt or sin Upright: Adhering strictly to moral principles
regards: 1. To give heed; pay attention 2. To take into account; consider. 3. Obsolete: To take care of.
Synonyms: regard, esteem, admiration, respect
These nouns refer to a feeling based on perception of and approval for the worth of a person or thing
mercies: 1. Compassionate treatment 2. A disposition to be kind and forgiving 3. Alleviation of distress; relief 4. humane and kind, sympathetic, or forgiving treatment of or disposition toward others
wicked: 1. Evil by nature and in practice 2. Highly offensive; obnoxious
cruel: predisposed to inflict violence, pain, or hardship, or to find satisfaction in the suffering of others
By using the definitions of the main words of the Bible Text, we see that people that are morally upright, or adhere strictly to moral principles, will pay attention to the care of their animals. They feel that there is worth in living things, and that they have feelings and need love.
By contrast, those people that are evil by nature and in practice, and that are predisposed to inflict violence, pain, or hardship, or to find satisfaction in the suffering of others, just don’t seem to have the capacity within themselves to give humane and kind, sympathetic or compassionate treatment even to their animals.
This is SO SAD! I feel that one of the main ways to change people is to change their hearts, and only love, and in particular, the Love of God and His forgiveness in lives, will do that. When we ask Jesus into our lives to wash us from the sins we’ve repented of, and to become the LORD and Savior in our lives, then HE will change us from within, and when He comes again, Romans 8:21-23 tells us:
21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
4 comments:
This is absolutely true. sandie
Just this week they had to rescue a lot of horses at some man's house here in West Virginia. It was so sad to see the condition that man let those horses get into. You could see their ribs on every single one of them. A month before they rescued around 40 dogs from his house too. He had over 80 animals in all and didn't really care for any of them.
very wise words you wrote Linda. I think that is true what you said; those of us trying to live righteously like Jesus would want us to do have a higher respect of all living creatures, whether they be animal or people for that matter and treat people/animals kindly. very good study indeed!
betty
True words! We cringe at cruelty that we see, and more of us need to act when we see it.
I've never, ever, understood animal cruelty.
But then there is child abuse, elder abuse...all, are hard to understand.
If that evil is in you, then you're capable of anything.
Thank God, many of us are not.
Kindness is such a balm, that I wish would roll over our nation, into each household, and family and individual soul.
Sigh....don't you?
Hugs to all, and corgi kids too.
Susan
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