She has several coats;
and money to buy more,
As often as she needs one,
From the fashion store.

What Does GOD Say About Cruelty?

"A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." Proverbs 12.10

Through the centuries much needless suffering has been imposed on the Animal kingdom by cruel or thoughtless people. Christianity has been criticized as many have used texts in the Bible such as the following to excuse their wicked course:

"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." Genesis 1.28

"Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas." Psalm 8.6-8
 

Many have felt that God said man could do as he pleased with the animals as they were given to him. But Were They?

"For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine." Psalm 50.10 ,11
 

Obviously NO! It was the Dominion: What did this dominion mean? It meant man was to take care of the animals. He could use them as needed, but  with consideration for their comfort and well being.

Man was answerable to GOD, the Owner and Creator of  all things for his treatment of GOD'S property! He was to be a wise and kind master to all the beasts. Even now the beasts retain a sort of instinct that this is so, and injured or sick wild animals have been known to voluntarily seek out man to get help. It is rare, for sure, but amazing that it occurs at all!

"Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?" Luke.12.6

We often use this text to show God's care for us - but it also shows His care for His creatures. If God sees the sparrow fall, you can be sure He also sees the one who threw the rock that felled it! Cruelty and destruction are an abomination before God

"And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth." Revelation 11.18

Here we see a time when God finally gets fed up with the cruelty and destructiveness of man to man and man to animals. He will put an end to it and those who have perpetrated it through the ages, will answer in the judgment.

"For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad." Luke.8.17

Many acts of cruelty, thought not known by the perpetrator, are all known by God. He who allowed Balaam's abused donkey to speak, will speak for the abused beasts of the earth. And any who claim to love God - will also speak for them and oppose cruelty where ever found!

"They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea." Isaiah 11.9
 

This is a picture of life in heaven and the new earth. No-one who delights in cruelty to any one or any thing will be found there! Neither will there be any who just 'Don't Care!'