The Purpose is Bringing in the Harvest, not Feeding the Oxen I have been studying and meditating on the meaning of Deuteronomy 25:4, 1 Corinthians 9:9, and 1 Timothy 5:18 for weeks. These are the Scriptures saying not to muzzle the oxen as they tread out the grain. It has long been used as justification for paying religious employees. But I am not sure being compared to an ox is actually a compliment. Having spent a lot of time around livestock and being a horseman, I know having an animal that always wants to put their nose down to eat, slows-up the work to be done. Nothing is more aggravating than trying to keep a lazy horses nose out of the grass when there is fence to ride! I wondered if it was the same with oxen when they are not muzzles. This video shows the oxen with their noses down constantly looking for grain. The maid with the switch also has to constantly goad them to keep them on the move. I am beginning to think this Hebrew Law is also a parable designed to teach us something. At one point Israel muzzled the oxen while they trod out the grain. Then, in Deuteronomy, God told them to not to. I can just hear the grumbling and complaining, (all in a strong Jewish accent). But, because God said, they took the muzzles off and allowed the whole process to slow down as the ox searched for grain among the chaff. And, it gave the kids something to do besides get in trouble as they trudged around behind the oxen goading them to keep them moving. Lets look at this as a metaphor. When the oxen were muzzled, they knew there was no eating the grain they were treading out. The process didnt slow down as the oxen looked for grain, they just trudged on. They looked forward to the end of the day when the farmer would give them their reward of food for their days labor. Again, as a horseman, every horse I have ever ridden steps more lively when they know they are heading back for the barn. Then God said not to muzzle the ox. Immediately the muzzles come off, the noses go down, and the switch is applied much more earnestly to keep the process moving. After all, the purpose for treading out grain is the harvest, not feeding the oxen. At the end of the day, the oxen have grazed their way through their chores and dont have a reward of grain waiting for them. They have already eaten their fill. Why did God ordain the ox not be muzzled? In 1 Corinthians 9:9-10 the Apostle Paul tells us God did this altogether for our sake so those who labor in Gods plan have a hope of sharing in the harvest. In verse eleven Paul asks if he sows spiritual things in the Corinthians, is it too much to harvest carnal things from the Corinthians? In verse twelve however, Paul emphatically explains why he doesnt take from those he ministers to. Paul tells us he doesnt want to cause any hindrance to the Gospel of Christ. The Greek word Paul uses means to cut a trench in a road to cause a hindrance to an enemy. In Pauls conviction, if he were to use his right to glean carnal things from his spiritual service, it would be like cutting a trench in the road to stop the Gospel. Thats an interesting way to look at it. But when viewed in context of the metaphor of un-muzzled oxen slowing down the harvesting process, it makes perfect sense. Further on, in verses 17-18, Paul says if he serves God voluntarily, he has a reward. But, if he serves not-voluntarily, (as in being paid), he has the job of administration entrusted to him. So what is Pauls reward? He says his reward is preaching the Gospel without charge. This Greek word reward is the same word Jesus uses when He talks about the reward in heaven. It is also the same Greek word used in 1 Timothy 5:18 when Paul says a workman is worthy of his reward. In essence, Paul has made his choice not to hinder the Gospel, but to serve selflessly for a reward in heaven, rather than the paycheck on earth that is his right. In 1 Corinthians 9:19, Paul says he has made himself a slave to all men in this way that he might win more souls for eternity. This makes perfect spiritual sense. The purpose of the harvest is bringing in harvest, not feeding the oxen.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 14:26:36 +0000