Monday, August 31, 2026

When/then: Thoughts about starving oxen and promises of prosperity taken out of context.

Here is a triply biblical thought:

"Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." (Deuteronomy 25:4)

"Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." (1Corinthians 9:9)

"Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." (1Timothy 5:11)

Gee, I wonder why the Holy Spirit saw fit to reiterate this three times, once in the Old Testament and twice in the New?

And I wonder if we might not see some astonishing outpouring of grace from on high if we stopped ripping Jeremiah 29:11 out of context and recognized how serious the Lord was and is about observing sabbatical years, you know, serious as a 70-year exile, so that muzzled oxen — and we! — should not collapse and die from lack of nourishment while grinding at the mill.

10 "This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. (Jer 29:10-12)

 

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