WORK!
In a culture that often views hunting through the narrow lens of a "kill shot" or a mounted trophy, it's easy to miss the deeper, more profound work involved. But for those who engage in it, hunting is a physically and mentally demanding pursuit. From the pre-season scouting to the patient waiting in a blind, and from the arduous pack-out to the meticulous butchering, every step is a labor of love. And when we look at this labor through the lens of Scripture, we find a rich and meaningful connection to our faith.
Work as a God-Given Mandate
From the very beginning, God created humanity to work. In Genesis 2:15, He places Adam in the Garden of Eden "to work it and take care of it." Work is not a punishment for sin, but an inherent part of our design, a way to partner with God in caring for His creation. The labor of hunting—the scouting, the planning, the physical exertion—is a direct extension of this mandate. We are active participants in managing the land and its resources, ensuring the health and balance of the ecosystem.
This echoes the wisdom found in Proverbs 14:23: "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." There is no shortcut in hunting. It requires diligence and sweat equity. A hunter who puts in the time and effort—who studies the land, tracks the animal, and works tirelessly—is embodying the biblical principle of hard work and is often rewarded for their efforts.
Patience and Provision
Hunting is a master class in patience. A hunter might sit for hours, days even, in uncomfortable conditions, waiting for a single opportunity. This waiting is not passive; it is an active discipline of stillness, observation, and trust. This directly relates to the biblical call to patience and trusting God's timing. As Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." The harvest, whether it's an animal or a spiritual blessing, comes in God's perfect timing, not ours.
And when the moment does arrive, and the harvest is made, the provision is a gift. The hard work of the hunter culminates in a blessing that provides for the family. This reminds us of God's faithful provision, as promised in Matthew 6:26, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" The hunter's toil is a humble recognition that the final provision is from God alone.
Stewardship and Responsibility
The work doesn't end with the harvest. A truly ethical hunter understands the immense responsibility that follows. The labor of field dressing, hauling, and processing the meat is an act of deep respect for the animal and its life. It's a commitment to use every part of the animal responsibly, honoring the gift that has been given. This is the essence of biblical stewardship. We are called to be "found faithful" with the resources God entrusts to us (1 Corinthians 4:2).
The work of hunting, therefore, is not a simple pastime. It is a series of deliberate, demanding tasks that reflect the core tenets of a Christian life: hard work, patient waiting, and faithful stewardship. It's a reminder that meaningful provision is often preceded by profound effort and that, in the quiet, hard work of the field, we can honor God and grow closer to His design for our lives.