The Old Testament contains what are probably the earliest animal rights laws in human history. The Torah stipulates that an ox should not be muzzled while treading out the grain (Deuteronomy 25:4); that working animals, such as oxen and donkeys, should be given a day of rest every week (Exodus 23:12); that people should help fallen donkeys or oxen on the road (Deuteronomy 22:4); and that a newborn calf, lamb, or goat must remain with its mother for at least seven days (Leviticus 22:27). Isaiah even considers slaughtering an ox to be akin to homicide (Isaiah 66:3). Meanwhile, Job suggests that a wild ox should give its consent before being put to work (Job 39:1-30).
In particular, the rationale behind Deuteronomy 25:4 encompasses compassion, justice, productivity, symbolic teaching, cultural norms, and stewardship, reflecting a multifaceted approach to law that considers the well-being of all involved, including animals (note 1). This biblical command, however, is unabashedly twisted and abused by Paul the anti-vegan, self-serving apostate in the NT.
Look, even the rabbis would concede that this command of the Torah was issued to guarantee the proper care of non-human creatures, although they would argue that it implies the proper care of human beings. Paul, on the other hand, maintains that this Torah command is not related at all to animal rights – mockingly raising the rhetorical question, “Does God care for oxen?” – and claiming that this Torah command was wholly meant to support his stance that he, as one who sows spiritual seed among the laity, is entitled to material remuneration from them (1 Cor. 9:9-12) (cf. Tabor 2012: 201).
Contrariwise, Jesus places compassionate rescue for an ox or donkey above rigid legalism:-
The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water?...Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” (Luke 13:15, 14:)
Actually, Pauline Christianity did away with almost all the animal protection laws in the Torah. Put down your evil staffs; follow the Vegan Christ! Say no to Paul the anti-vegan apostate.
Note
1. The rationale behind the biblical command "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain" (Deuteronomy 25:4) can be understood through six lenses:
I. Compassion and Humane Treatment: The primary rationale is compassion towards animals. By allowing the ox to eat while it works, the law recognizes the animal’s labor and provides for its immediate needs, promoting a principle of humane treatment. This reflects a broader biblical ethic of kindness towards creatures, acknowledging their toil in human service.
II. Justice and Fair Compensation: There's an underlying theme of justice here; the ox is contributing to the threshing process, so it's only fair that it benefits from its labor. This can be seen as an early form of ensuring that those who work are entitled to some form of compensation or benefit from their work, even if they are not human.
III. Productivity and Efficiency: Practically, allowing an ox to eat some of the grain might increase its motivation or stamina, thus potentially improving the efficiency of the threshing process. Hungry animals might be less effective in their work.
IV. Symbolic Teaching: In a broader theological context, this law might also indicate a teaching on care, support, and compensation for labor, whether it's physical or spiritual.
V. Cultural and Historical Context: In ancient agricultural societies, such laws would have been part of a broader set of regulations aimed at maintaining an ordered and just community. By including animals in these laws, it shows a holistic approach to justice that extends beyond human society.
VI. Environmental Stewardship: Although less directly stated, this command can also be seen as an aspect of environmental stewardship, where humans are to manage and care for the earth and its inhabitants responsibly, acknowledging the interdependence between humans and other living beings.
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