1 Corinthians 9:9-10 KJV
For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
That God takes care of the animals is apparent for Jesus said that no sparrow falls to the ground without our Father's knowledge. But the Apostle candidly denies the modern tendency (it was an ancient one too) to worship the creation rather than the Creator. All explanations that give this passage a spin that both honors the animal and gives credit to the principle are compromises with the text. God cares for the animals. But His Word is written for man.
I am not implying man has a right to abuse creation. Neither the animate nor the inanimate features of God's creation ought to be misused or abused. What God has created is marvelous and ought to be treated with dignity. We must neither rape the land nor annihilate the creatures upon it.
But I am demanding that any appropriate interpretation of the Bible sees passed the shadow and reaches to the figure. This is a message to man and for man. It is a book to instructions that point us to Christ and transform us into His image. Read it looking for that message and not the one that those who idolize the earth would find.
For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
That God takes care of the animals is apparent for Jesus said that no sparrow falls to the ground without our Father's knowledge. But the Apostle candidly denies the modern tendency (it was an ancient one too) to worship the creation rather than the Creator. All explanations that give this passage a spin that both honors the animal and gives credit to the principle are compromises with the text. God cares for the animals. But His Word is written for man.
I am not implying man has a right to abuse creation. Neither the animate nor the inanimate features of God's creation ought to be misused or abused. What God has created is marvelous and ought to be treated with dignity. We must neither rape the land nor annihilate the creatures upon it.
But I am demanding that any appropriate interpretation of the Bible sees passed the shadow and reaches to the figure. This is a message to man and for man. It is a book to instructions that point us to Christ and transform us into His image. Read it looking for that message and not the one that those who idolize the earth would find.
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