Are Cows More Godly Than Humans?
An all-creatures Bible Message

Are Cows More Godly Than Humans?
 
A Sermon Delivered to
The Compassion Internet Church
 
21 October 2012
 
Frank L. Hoffman, Pastor

Scripture References

Deuteronomy 32:35
Proverbs 12:10
Matthew 5:38-39
Romans 12:19-21
Hebrews 10:26-31
Revelation 2:8-11

Are cows more Godly than humans? Today we are going to take a serious look at this question.

In our work to make this a more peaceful world for humans, animals and the environment, we come across all kinds of violent situations every day that are working against the heavenly will of God.
 
The people who cause all this violence and suffering also fail to heed what we are told in Proverbs 12:10…

10. A righteous man has regard for the life of his beast,
But the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
NASB

All of these violent acts are caused by the wicked humans who follow the corrupt ways of the world, which brings us to our question for today:
 
Are dairy cows more Godly than human beings?
 
After seeing a horrific undercover video produced by Mercy for Animals of one of Burger King’s dairy suppliers, and from our own observation of dairy farms, we have to conclude that they are.
 
Why?
 
Because these cows were kicked, prodded, slapped, and punched; they were hit with sticks, and straps, and even a metal yoke; and those who could no longer stand up had their tails twisted and yanked in very painful ways, and dragged with a chain around their neck by a tractor.
 
Yet through all of this, these cows made no attempt to retaliate against their abusers; they simply tried to get away from them, as the Bible teaches us we are to do in the words of Jesus.
 
Note what we are told in Matthew 5:38-39…

38. "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' 
 
39. "But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
NASB

Now, the cows may not have literally turned the other cheek, but they stood there and got hit again before they tried to get away from their abusers; and, they had no idea why they are being treated so horribly.
 
So in this case, the cows are really doing exactly what Jesus tells us to do, even though most humans don’t seem to do it, nor do most countries in this world.
 
Cows do seem to be more Godly than most human beings, don’t they?
 
With this in mind, let’s now take a look at Deuteronomy 32:35, and note what the victims of the cruel and wicked acts are told to do.

35. 'Vengeance is Mine, and retribution,
In due time their foot will slip;
For the day of their calamity is near,
And the impending things are hastening upon them.'
NASB

God is telling us that only He has the right to bring retribution upon the wicked ones of this world, and that’s if we turn away from being evil and revengeful, that He will punish the wicked people of this world.
 
And lo and behold, that is exactly what these cows did, and the video exposed the truth; and as we understand it, charges are being brought against the evil ones who abused the cows.
 
But wait a minute; aren’t all of those who raise animals for food being wicked, for isn’t it their ultimate goal to betray the animals and kill them when the time is expedient for them to do so?
 
We believe they are, and according to this verse, their time will come, too.
 
But in the meantime God is giving them every opportunity to repent and turn away from their wickedness and become transformed into the peacemaking children of God.
 
Let’s look at this concept a little further.
 
In Romans 12:19-21, we are told…

19. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
 
20. "But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head."
 
21. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
NASB

A major part of overcoming evil is learning to look beyond people’s evil acts, and to love our enemies for whom God wants them to be.
 
This may not be easy, but the more we learn to do this, the more we are able to bring peace to the world.
 
This is also why we are told to feed and clothe our enemies.
 
It is not to heap actual burning coals on their heads, for if our enemies see a sincere expression of love within us, then they will be inwardly convicted of their evil ways (the burning coals of conviction), which will hopefully lead them to a true and lasting repentance.
 
We have no way of really knowing what the cows were thinking, but they also seem to be following this teaching, too.
 
Now let’s take a look at another similar passage from Hebrews 10:26-31…

26. For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
 
27. but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.

This is a passage that we have pondered over many times, for we see many people who claim to be born again willfully mistreating animals or otherwise causing them to suffer.
 
And this really troubles us, for we received the knowledge from the Holy Spirit, and began to change our entire lifestyle to conform with the heavenly will of God, in order to become peacemaking children of God.
 
So we question: Are they really born again? Are they really Christians? And we have our doubts.

28. Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
 
29. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
 
30. For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge His people."
 
31. It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
NASB

We wonder if the people who abused the cows in the video, or any other person who deliberately causes any animal to suffer, understand the consequences of their actions, or even care.
 
It’s a chilling thought, but our heart still aches for them, that they would repent.
 
And aren’t all those who knowingly consume any animal products part of the corrupt and evil world?  For the vast majority of them really know they are eating the products of suffering, but don’t care and deny the truth.
 
Now, let’s take a look at Revelation 2:8-11, and see what message the Lord has for an oppressed church of believers…

8. "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this:
 
9. 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
 
10. 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
 
11. 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.'
NASB

Every time we read or hear that passage of Scripture, we can’t help but think that this is exactly what is happening to all farmed animals on all farms.
 
They seem to mostly suffer in silence, just as Jesus is telling people of the church in Smyrna.
 
This is further evidence to confirm why we believe that the cows are Godlier than most of the humans are.
 
We are being told to take a stance between good and evil, and do everything peaceful we can to protect the innocent from the evil around them.
 
We are never to be the aggressors.

We are to be the peacemakers.
 
Amen.

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