Does God Care about the Oxen?: Some Thoughts on the Protection of Animals in the Law Texts of the OT from a Canonical Perspective

In 1 Cor 9:9, Paul cites Deut 25:4 (“Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain”) and asks, “Is it about oxen that God is concerned?” This question seems to be waiting for the definitive answer, “No, it is not.” Is Paul really saying that God is not concerned about the oxen? This paper c...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Wünch, Hans-Georg 1958- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: SA ePublications 2020
In: Old Testament essays
Year: 2020, Volume: 33, Issue: 3, Pages: 538-555
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Paul Apostle / Created order / Bible. Corinthians 1. 9,9 / Bible. Deuteronomium 25,4
IxTheo Classification:HB Old Testament
HC New Testament
KAB Church history 30-500; early Christianity
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Summary:In 1 Cor 9:9, Paul cites Deut 25:4 (“Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain”) and asks, “Is it about oxen that God is concerned?” This question seems to be waiting for the definitive answer, “No, it is not.” Is Paul really saying that God is not concerned about the oxen? This paper considers various passages in the OT (especially law texts) that appear to deal with the protection of animals. The thesis is that God is indeed concerned about animals. Since God is the creator of everything, he cares for his entire creation. The article discusses the OT texts from a canonical perspective, looking for the common ideas instead of discussing possible developments of thoughts. It understands the biblical law texts concerning creation as examples of an “order of creation” (R. Murray), which lies behind these laws.
ISSN:2312-3621
Contains:Enthalten in: Old Testament essays
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.17159/2312-3621/2020/v33n3a10