“Do Not Envy The Violent!” (Prov 3:31). Go Vegan! Dr. Chapman Chen
- Chapman Chen
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
Let’s read Proverbs 3:31 through a vegan theology lens:
“Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways.”
1. The Violent in Context of Creation
In biblical wisdom literature, “the violent” are not only those who attack their neighbours but those who gain by destroying life. Violence in Scripture often refers to acts that disrupt God’s order of peace (shalom). From a vegan theological perspective, the killing of animals for food, clothing, or sport is part of this violence — because it violates the Edenic vision where humans and animals lived together in harmony (Genesis 1:29–30).
2. Do Not Envy Their Prosperity
Flesh-eaters, factory farm owners, hunters, and those in animal industries may appear powerful, wealthy, or culturally prestigious. Proverbs warns: do not envy them. Their way is not God’s way. What seems like prosperity is fleeting and destructive. Their “success” is built on suffering and death.
3. Choose None of Their Ways
The wisdom here is not merely passive avoidance but active rejection of violent practices. Choosing none of their ways today could mean:
Not buying into the global meat, dairy, and leather industries.
Refusing to participate in traditions or festivals that exploit animals.
Rejecting the ideology that human strength and prosperity must come at the cost of innocent creatures’ lives.
4. God’s Perspective
The next verse (Proverbs 3:32) says:
“For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, but His secret counsel is with the upright.” God detests crooked, violent ways — whether directed at human neighbours or at His nonhuman creatures. But those who walk uprightly in compassion share intimacy with God.
5. Resonance with Jesus
Jesus embodied this principle by calling people to renounce power-through-violence and to live in mercy. “I desire compassion, not sacrifice!” declares Jesus (Matt. 9:13; 12:7). If we apply this wisdom today, the violent way includes the systemic killing of billions of animals. To follow Christ is to choose none of those ways and instead walk the path of compassion.