Proverbs 14:4
“Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.”
Oxen are used in ploughing the land, preparatory for planting seed. They are used in bringing home the harvest: corn and etcetera.
They were also used in threshing out the corn. And Because oxen are useful for these agricultural purposes, they have to be taken care of and housed in the crib.
The oxen has to be fed, and as such, the crib will be messy. You cannot muzzle the ox that threshes out the corn. You cannot neglect the oxen knowing fully well it is useful in the food chain for agricultural productivity.
So, where there is no straw in the crib for the oxen, there is much less food for men; or rather, no corn or wheat on the threshing floor or in the barn or storehouse! So of course, if the oxen has to be taken care of, the crib will be messy, the crib will not be clean because it has to be provided with straws.
So, in like manner, where there are no true ministers of the Gospel, no teaching priests who are laboring in the word of God, studying, showing themselves approved to God as workmen who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, … there is no food for souls.
Oxen are an emblem of the faithful and laborious ministers; those who are laboring in the word of God, who are desirous to do what the Master tells them to do.
The oxen is yielded to his master, the owner.
So, in the same way, ministers of the Gospel are to be submitted to the word and will of God. We are to be submitted to teach what we have been taught in the word of God. We are not to deviate from whatever the word of God says. We are to be faithful ministers, who are faithfully and rightly dividing the word of truth!.
The Scripture says in 1 Corinthians chapter 3 verse 9 – “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.”
So, we are God’s husbandries, just as the oxen is to the farmer.
The farmer takes care of the oxen, so that the oxen will have strength to do the work. In the same way, God takes care of His own; He takes care of the ministers. And the Believers, : (as vessels that are also being fed by the ministers of the Gospel,) we are commanded to take care of the ministers, we are commanded to sow into their lives.
Little wonder, the Scripture tells us in 1 Corinthians 9 from verse 9 – 11
“For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?”
Verse 10: “Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.”
Verse 11: “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?”
So, as the oxen labours in ploughing, the farmer knows that he has to take care of the oxen. And in taking care of the oxen, the crib will not be clean. It will be messy because of the oxen.
So: “Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.”
So, the ministers of the Gospel are likened to the oxen in many ways. The oxen is regarded as one of the clean beasts. And the Scripture expects us to be holy, even as God is holy.
We are to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service. We should be instruments of righteousness as we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
Just as the oxen chews the cud, we should learn to revolve the word in our minds and be ready to meditate daily on the word of God, so that our profiting will appear to all; just as the taking care of the oxen eventually becomes profitable to the farmer, as they plough in sowing, gather in harvest, and thresh.
So,
We need to chew the word of God, study to show ourselves approved workmen that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of God.
We should be yielded and submitted to walk in the way, the truth and the life that is in Christ Jesus.
So, as the oxen are patient and quiet under the yoke, we are to take up the yoke of our Lord Jesus Christ and learn of Him.
We should labour in the word and in doctrine, to bring souls to the saving knowledge of the word of God and to walk in revelation, teaching men the mysteries of the kingdom; for where there are no such true labourers and ministers of the word of God, there is no spiritual food for the souls of men,... but rather a famine of the word. And men perish for lack of knowledge.
We have been taught, in order that we may become faithful ministers who will be able to teach others.
Hence the Scripture encourages us in 2 Timothy 2 from verse 1 saying –
“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
Verse 2: “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
Verse 3: “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
So, the oxen endures hardness. And so should the Believer! The ox labors; it is full of strength. As it is being taken care of, it is ready to work as the master directs him. We also as people under our Master, Jesus Christ, …. as He leads, so should we follow to walk! We should not do otherwise; for “Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.”
Increase and productivity is through the proper use and care of the instrument of tilling and ploughing, especially the oxen, whose strength is employed in ploughing the ground and threshing the corn. The same is applicable to the ministers of the Gospel.
1st Corinthians chapter 3 verse 6 says –
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”
It is God that gives increase. And as we purpose to do His will and walk in His will and teach the truth : as He is taking care of us, He is the One who will give us the increase we desire in His work and in our own life!
As we continue, faithfully laboring in the word and doctrine, there will be much spiritual food to share. As we continue spreading the Good news, there will be harvest of souls. There will be an increase in gifts, and the grace of God will be made abundant. There will be spiritual increases that come through light and knowledge of the word, making men to prosper and be in health, even as their soul prospers.
Hear this again : “Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.” Think about it in your own life. !
Much Increases by The Strength of The Ox.
The presence of the ox despite the mess it may create, leads to abundant crops.
Challenges MUST COME! And you must be ready to stand and face them to do what you ought to do!! If and when you are not ready to take up responsibility to do as occasion demands, you may not know if those challenges are ways to bring you to the expected end you are seeking, or ways to bring you to the point God wants you to be.
Because the oxen symbolizes hard work, effort and taking on responsibilities, every child of God, Believer or minister MUST -
Learn to take up responsibility.
Learn to face up with challenges, no matter how messy it may be.
Learn to be ready to do what the word of God says.
Consider the farmer who must tend to his oxen….
Even though it may be hard work, yet he considers and remembers the oxen ploughs the fields, tills, and prepares the ground for sowing seeds, … all of which ultimately leads to a bountiful harvest.
So, Prepare yourself! Be ready to do what you ought to do, so that you will have a bountiful harvest, both spiritually and otherwise.
LISTEN: Success and abundance are not found in a life devoid of challenges. But rather, through our willingness to face up with these challenges, we will become productive, and we will become fruitful.
That’s why God, in the Bible encourages us in this : that the book of the law, (as was spoken to Joshua) should not depart from our mouth; but we should meditate upon it day and night, and observe to do what is written in it; then we will have good success and our ways shall be made prosperous.’ [Ref: Joshua 1:8]
It is in meditating and doing the word of God, that we will find ourselves making progress in whatever challenge that comes across our way and we will be able to surmount them and make progress.
So, don’t run away from challenges; rather, by faith, take up the responsibility, and you will see yourself grow and achieve great things. For “Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.”
May the LORD strengthen you! For we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
No matter the challenge that comes across your way, lift your eyes unto the LORD where your help comes from, and you will see yourself overcome those challenges. For everyone that is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.
And as you remain walking by faith, you shall remain blessed in Jesus’ Name. Amen.