Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. (Proverbs 12:10 ESV)
Pets and Love
It is a little strange to claim that having regard for animals is a thing of righteousness. But maybe it is not so strange.
My first pet, a dog named Kelly, was my buddy. He adored me. He obeyed me. He looked at me with his deep eyes and warmed my soul. And while I liked him a lot… while I took care of him, even at some expense… while I sacrificed time and energy for him… I am not sure that what I had towards Kelly was Love, in the Biblical sense.
My next pet, a guinea pig named Herbie, was not my buddy. He sort of adored me, or at least liked it when I petted him. He never obeyed me. He looked at me with his shallow eyes and blinked. I did not like him… but I did take care of him… and sacrificed time and energy for him… and I am sure that what I felt towards Herbie was not Love, in any sense.
But the regard I had for both animals teaches me something about Love. My pets were MY pets. They existed for me, not the other way around. And yet I was (usually) kind, thoughtful, concerned, and affectionate towards them.
My ability to have that regard towards both Herbie AND Kelly is a result of God’s image in me, focused and expanded by the Holy Spirit’s enlarging of my heart through Christ Jesus.
Almighty God has regard for His creation.
The conquering God/man Christ Jesus has regard for His people.
Christ’s bride, the church, has regard for the unfortunate, broken, lost folk of the world.
Do you see the pattern?
Not only is the writer of this proverb saying that having regard for animals is an indicator of character, but God’s people, made righteous through the work of Christ, are able to emulate God in this characteristic.
Take the love God grants us.