Jonah 4:11 - Homilies By G.t. Coster

God ' s consideration for animals. The "much cattle" in Nineveh a plea with God for the preservation of the city. And still, be animals where they may:

1 . God has made them.

2 . He preserves them. "His full hand supplies their need."

3 . He dowers them with beauty, or swiftness, or strength, with sensibility and sagacity.

4 . He makes them of varied serviceableness to man, and has given man authority over them. "Thou madest him to have dominion over all sheep and oxen; yea, and the beasts of the field."

5 . "He regardeth the life of the beast;" complacently, in their "lower pleasures;" pitifully, in their "lower pains;" constantly and minutely, "not one falleth on the ground" without him.

6 . He would have them preserved from cruelty and needless destruction ( Exodus 9:19 ).

7 . It is God-like to care for the lower animals.

"He prayeth well who loveth well

Both man, and bird, and beast.

He prayeth best who loveth best

All things both great and small;

For the dear God, who loveth us,

He made and loveth all."

G.T.C.