Today's Scripture Reading (March 23, 2023): Isaiah 11
A good friend of mine is a
vegetarian. The reason for her choice of food is really based on contemporary
farming issues and the idea that she doesn't want any animal to suffer just
because she wants a double cheeseburger. It is a choice that many Christians
are making. Another friend phrases it as eating as low on the food chain as
possible, which he has chosen to do.
I have several food
sensitivities that have kept me from making a similar decision. I agree that I
don't want animals to suffer and fully support humane farming practices. There
is even some literature that argues that animals who live under stressful
conditions don't taste as good as animals who have lived their lives in a
situation that is abundant in care. Apparently, the presence of stress hormones
and chemicals like epinephrine degrade the taste of the meat. This means caring
for animals makes sense even if you are a meat eater like me.
Isaiah argues that a time is
coming that will not only be a time of peace but that there will also be a
fundamental change in creation. All of us meat eaters will be extinct, although
not because we have died, but because we have been fundamentally changed. Those
of us who enjoy a good steak will be left unable to digest our meal. But we
will be able to eat straw with the herbivores. The result is that a bear will
feed with a cow, not make the cow its meal. There will no longer be fear
between the animals because those that used to be predators will no longer be
hunters.
But the change will go even
deeper than that. It means that people will be able to enjoy God's nature
without fear. There will no longer be any warnings about predators living in
the area because there will no longer be any danger for the animal or us, which
is good news for those who enjoy wandering through the mountains. After all,
the bears and wolves that live there will no longer be a cause for fear.
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading:
Isaiah 12 & 13
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