Abstract

ABSTRACT 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. Keywords: Animal protection, Old Testament law, Biblical theology, Creation care

Highlights

  • 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 that appear to deal with the protection of animals

  • Hans Wünch, “Does God Care about the Oxen? Some Thoughts on the Protection of Animals in the Law Texts of the OT from a Canonical Perspective,” Old Testament Essays 33 no. 3 (2020): 538–555

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Summary

A INTRODUCTION

In 1 Cor 9:9, Paul asks a question that has inspired the title of this article:[1]. Because it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is threshing.” Does God care about the oxen, or does he not surely speak because of us? Yes, it was written because of us, in that the plower should plow in hope and () the thresher in hope of receiving a share. 540 Wünch, “Does God Care about the Oxen,” OTE 33/3 (2020): 538-555 or does Paul, as other exegetes claim, follow the principles of Jewish exegesis of Deut 25:4 strictly? The first is that this great Jewish exegete, who is well known for his allegorical way of understanding the Old Testament, does not allegorise Deut 25:4 and other texts on animal care, but instead takes them literally. This seems to speak against Paul doing so. The question, is whether and how these texts present a common attitude of God towards the animals

B GOD COMMANDS PROTECTION OF AND CARE FOR ANIMALS
C CONCLUSION
D BIBLIOGRAPHY

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