#15: Respect for Life

Genesis 9:1-6

Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth, and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish in the sea; they are given into your hands. Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.

 “But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it. And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being.

 “Whoever sheds human blood,

by humans shall their blood be shed;
for in the image of God
     has God made mankind.”

Comments

At first glance, this passage appears to endorse both the killing of animals to satisfy our desire for food and the killing of murderers to satisfy our desire for justice.

A closer reading, however, gives a somewhat different picture. The death of animals may be justified, but for humans even the killing of killers demands an accounting.

Moreover, in all cases respect for life must be given the highest priority. Our desire to end the life for of either an animal or a human being even for a justifiable cause never gives us the right to despise what God has created.

Reflections

This passage makes the remarkable statement that God holds animals accountable for the shedding of blood. Rogue animals are those who kill for a reason other than to satisfy their hunger. Should humans who kill solely for sport be considered rogue animals as well?

What does this passage say about those who send others into battle for the purpose of shedding blood? Will God not also hold them accountable? Is there a way to wage war that respects life?

Is abortion not also a shedding of blood for which those involved will be held accountable by God? 

Prayer

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who holds us accountable to respect the life of all your creation.