Wisdom's Corner
Would You Be a Zoo Animal?

There are zoos all over the world. In Africa, many of the zoos are actually very large wild-life parks with the animals roaming around free. But most zoos are smaller and have the animals in large pens, cages, or glassed-in areas.

The animals are in the zoo so that people can walk by and see all the different animals from all over the world. People will take pictures of them. Children will point at them and ask many questions. If the animals do strange or funny things the people will laugh at them.

People have always been interested in zoos. During the time of the New Testament people would gather in the large open-air theaters or the large coliseums to watch as animals were brought on stage. The animals would be made to do things to entertain the crowd.

It is interesting that the Hebrew Christians were reminded that Christians had been treated the same way as the animals. In Hebrews 10:32-33 we read, "But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used."

The word "gazingstock" is a word that was used for showing and entertaining with the wild animals on stage. These Christians had been treated just like wild animals. They had been laughed at, pointed at, and looked upon as strange creatures.

Would you be willing to be treated like that? These Christians had endured such bad treatment because they knew they were doing what was right. They truly believed that one day they would live with God in heaven. So they did not care how badly they were treated.

The next time you think you are being treated badly, think about the Christians in the first century. And make up your mind that you will follow God and obey His teachings even if you will be treated like an animal in the zoo.

Until next time, keep reading and studying your Bible. And if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

Mark McWhorter

Copyright 1999

Published by The Old Paths Bible School
(http://www.oldpaths.org)