Spare the Mother

6 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. 7 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)

Christians are understandably wary of environmentalists, for many of these “friends of nature” despise the biblical worldview. Desiring to dethrone the Creator God and deny the image of God in man, they lead their followers into the worship of forests, mountains, rivers, plants, and animals. But believers should not be driven toward contempt for the environment by the foolishness of “eco-maniacs.” Rather, they should redouble their efforts to demonstrate that true and sensible environmentalism is grounded in Scripture.

Deer hunters are often restricted to “bucks only” hunting; in these seasons, a doe is off limits. In drawing this line, wildlife managers are simply following biblical wisdom: Kill the offspring, and generation continues; kill the mother, and generation ends.

In the chapters leading up to this commandment concerning mother birds (Deut. 22:6-7), God prescribes killing, both in war (20:12) and for domestic order (21:20-21). Then, in chapter 22, He turns to the nurture of life. In verses preceding and following His counsel on eggs and chicks, the Lord insists on care for fallen livestock (v. 4) and on guardrails around rooftops (v. 8).

Though this passage speaks specifically of birds, it clearly extends to wildlife of every sort, for as the hymn “All Things Bright and Beautiful” reminds us, “Our Father made them all.” Verse 7 explains why God made these creatures, namely to provide man, who is made in His image, with good things. Despite the scruples of some “animal rights” activists, eggs and meat are good gifts from God. God protects hens for the sake of animal husbandry, not animal worship.

The principle of regard for the future extends to plants and non-living objects as well. In acting to protect the uninterrupted generation of birds, God implies His regard for the preservation of flora as well as fauna. Indeed, He defended fruit trees two chapters earlier (20:19). And just as any thoughtful person desires to pass thriving wildlife along to his children, he also wants to secure clean drinking water, fertile fields, and breathable air for those who follow. This is a demand of love.

Merely living for the moment produces a toxic future for others. For the sake of a tasty hen, the glutton denies eggs to his grandchildren. For the sake of industrial profit, a company denies game fish to communities downstream.

As the pastor urges his people to “die to self,” he might mention the selfishness of pollution and other forms of environmental abuse. He need not preach asceticism. People God desires to bless are yet to be born, and nothing the current generation does should hamper that, for God desires to bless His people with nature’s bounty.