Deuteronomy 25:4

(17) Ox TO WORK UNMUZZLED (Deuteronomy 25:4)

4 Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the grain.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 25:4

435.

Read 1 Corinthians 9:9-10 and 1 Timothy 5:17-18 for a N. T. application of this principle. To whom does it refer in these two passages?

436.

Why not muzzle the ox and feed him later?

437.

How should we react to a comparison with an ox?

AMPLIFIED TRANSLATIONS Deuteronomy 25:4

You shall not muzzle the ox when he treads out the grain. [1 Corinthians 9:9-10; 1 Timothy 5:17-18.]

COMMENT 25:4

Paul uses the principle involved in this verse as applying to those who devote their lives to laboring in the work of Christ1 Corinthians 9:9-10! 1 Timothy 5:17-18. If he is concerned about a brute beast enough to provide for his sustenance, is he not also desirous that those men who have devoted their lives to His -harvest (i.e. his service) also be sustained? And as the oxen partook of the very grain in which he worked, so it is right that God's laborers be sustained by the very persons with whom they work. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast (Proverbs 12:10)How much more should he regard the life of his fellow-man, made in the image of God, and devoted wholly to his service.[43]

[43] If I may be allowed to draw out this parallel a bit, it is well to note that no eating privileges are mentioned here for lazy or non-working oxen! The laborer is worthy of his hire and If any will not work, neither let him eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). It is right and proper that working elders, ministers, or others set aside for the service of Christ be supported; it is also right and proper that they give themselves fully to their tasks (1 Timothy 4:15-16). The Church of our Lord has no room for mercenaries, hirelings or leeches!