The Cattle are Dying

The summer drought wiped out thousands of cattle in the southern states the last couple of years, and before that, a long winter in Colorado caused thousands of bovine deaths in the high range country.  Now, in South Dakota, an early snow storm is reported to have killed tens of thousands of cattle.

I had to Google search this information, then when I did get a hit or a link, I actually had to search two of the news sites themselves.  For those who have been following these reports, in some headlines it's just a part of "government shutdown" news.  But it isn't.  Cattle dying by the droves has been taking place in America for the last several years in record number.  Not only does that affect the rising cost of beef, but it's much beyond an economic hardship on "consumers."

Many ranchers are operating on borrowed money, which means, they don't have any "room" at the bottom line.  So, even if they are reimbursed by insurance, that will affect premiums across the board, and if it declared a disaster by the federal government, well we know where that will go.  One more pile of papers to argue about through the next shut down or threat thereof.

The problem will affect our future.  The price of cattle and beef is already exorbitant, but when mature cattle of the herd dies, that means fewer calves next year and the next.  If the ranchers can hang on long enough to increase their herds, it will be two years of waiting and hoping there are no other negative variables to be factored.  When the livestock is dying, there is a spiritual problem.  When the livestock die from inclement weather, not only is it a spiritual problem, it has arrived through a sign from above.

Since the ranchers are insured and government backed, I don't believe these calamities are personal against the ranchers, but rather a sign to this nation.  The fish are dying, the birds are dying, and the cattle are dying.  Clearly, we as a nation, need to make changes and I'm not talking politics.  The change needed is deeper and much more significant than Congress playing nice.  This is judgment.  Cattle are specifically mentioned in the book of Jonah, also included is a lack of discernment between right and left.  Unlike America, Nineveh fasted and repented . . .

And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?  
                                                                                             Jonah 4:11