Flesh in the Caldron: A Prophetic Cry for Compassion – A Sermon by Dr. Chapman Chen

Text: Micah 3:2–4

Theme: God’s judgment on cruelty and the call to compassion for all creatures.

Beloved, the prophets were not sent to soothe the powerful but to awaken a sleeping conscience. Today, we hear Micah raise his voice against the leaders of Israel — those who should have upheld justice — but instead, he says, “pluck off their skin... break their bones... chop them in pieces, as flesh within the caldron.” (Micah 3:2–3)

1. A Horrifying Image Realised

It’s a horrifying image — people treated like animal flesh. But what if Micah’s metaphor points us not only to human injustice, but to a deeper indictment: a society that normalises the literal butchering of innocent beings?

Micah’s use of the language of slaughter is no accident. To strip someone of their skin, to boil their bones — it is the ultimate dehumanisation. And yet, this is exactly what we do, every day, to God’s nonhuman creatures. What Micah described metaphorically — we now commit literally.

Every year, 3 trillions of animals are murdered in silence. Their cries are ignored, their bodies broken. We call it normal. But Micah challenges us: what kind of people have we become, if we cannot see this as cruelty?

2. A Chilling Warning from God

Then comes the chilling warning in verse 4:

“Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them… as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.”

When those who lived in cruelty finally face their own suffering and cry out to God, He does not answer — not because He is unmerciful, but because their actions have cut them off from compassion itself. Divine silence becomes the consequence of moral blindness.

Friends, cruelty — whether toward humans or animals — separates us from God. The Psalms remind us: “The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.” (Psalm 145:9)

3. Justice Includes Animals

Micah’s prophecy ends not only in judgment, but in hope. “What does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)

Justice covers animals. Mercy means choosing peace over violence. Humility recognises that the world is not ours to dominate, but to care for.

4. Live Out Compassion!

So let us live lives of compassion. Let our horror at the metaphor of flesh in the pot awaken us to the real suffering around us — and let our tables become altars of peace.

✨ May we be known not for cruelty, but for mercy.✨ May we cry out to God — not in guilt, but in gratitude — because we have chosen the path of love.

In the name of the One who watches over every creature —Amen.

Full Text: https://www.vegantheology.net/post/flesh-in-the-caldron-a-prophetic-cry-for-compassion-a-sermon-by-dr-chapman-chen