Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together.

Deuteronomy 22:10 (NIV)

There are many Old Testament laws that seem silly to us today. God knows that some, like not planting two different types of seed together or wearing wool and linen woven together, are ones I’ve thought amusing. Yet, despite those sorts of laws, others reveal God’s heart.

If you come across a bird’s nest beside the road, either in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with the young. You may take the young, but be sure to let the mother go, so that it may go well with you and you may have a long life.

Deuteronomy 22:6-7 (NIV)

This law is interesting because it shares the same promise as obeying one’s parents. It might seem silly to some, but I also see it as God caring for the bird. She just lost her young; why take her life too? There’s something cruel about doing such a thing. This law reminds me of this one from Leviticus.

Do not slaughter a cow or a sheep and its young on the same day.

Leviticus 22:28 (NIV)

I see the same principle at work here. It’s wrong to kill a parent and child at the same time. There’s something perverse about it; we see the same idea here in Exodus.

“Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God. “Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.

Exodus 23:19 (NIV)

In the New Testament, we see evidence of God’s omniscience and love in Matthew.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.

Matthew 10:29 (NIV)

It’s encouraging that God loves his creation so much. Even animals that typically have no voice are loved and cared for by our Father in Heaven. If God cares so much for animals, how much more does he care about us? We who were made in His image?

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, freed from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

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