In July 2015, a storm in Tiblisi, Georgia’s capital, flooded the city. The flood hit the zoo and several animals died, but some fled; including lions, tigers, panthers and wolves. One of the tigers attacked and killed a man in the city center. Of course, the police must have killed the beasts.
The news alone is shocking. But I was more surprised by a person’s comment in a story about the incident, who criticized the fact that animals were imprisoned for human entertainment (so far it’s a good argument), and now they’re killed “unfairly. “For this reason she wanted humans to disappear to protect animals from extinction, that is, for her, all humans must die, so that animals live in peace.
The Bible tells us to take good care of animals
“The good take good care of their animals, but the hearts of the wicked are cruel (Proverbs 12:10).
One of God’s first orders for humanity is to properly administer the rest of creation, including caring for animals:
“God created man in his image, in the image of God created him; men and women created them. God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply!Fill and judge the earth!Master the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven, and all the animals that move on the earth?(Genesis 1: 27-28)
But what happened is an overvaluation of animal life (and plant life, but this is another discussion), placing its value above human life, as in the comment mentioned above. See what Jesus said:
Observe birds from the sky: they do not sow, harvest, or store in barns; However, the heavenly Father feeds them. Don’t you have much more value than them? (Matthew 6:26)
Some even condemn the use of animals as food! But it was God who allowed this practice:
All the animals of the earth will tremble with fear before you: wild animals, birds of heaven, creatures approaching the ground and fish of the sea; are delivered into your hands. Everything that lives and moves will serve as food. Just as I gave them vegetables, now I give them everything (Genesis 9:2-3).
I am aware of the fact that men torture animals for pleasure or benefit, and I believe that every serious Christian understands that this is not true.
I also understand the affection we can develop for animals. In my childhood, I had a rabbit that later became a refined dish in the restaurant. Imagine how much I suffered when I discovered my rabbit’s fate!
There are scientific studies that demonstrate the benefits of having a pet. You can have pets and take good care of them, but you have to be careful with reversing values!
Have we invested more economically in animals or humans?Are we more affected by abandoned dogs or human beings living on the street?
It’s easier to love one animal than another human being. Animals hardly defy our pride and selfishness as human relationships do. That is why the gospel is more evident in relationships with people than with animals!
In the world where God and His Word are ignored, this is the trend. The reversal of values is natural for sin. But as Christians, we must fight this trend. Jesus paid a high price for the redemption of the human being. Paying a high price for having animals at the expense of human misery is a very perverse thing for anyone who knows the gospel.
But we never love them more than human beings!