The Strong Ox

Dear Friends,

In today’s chapter in Proverbs, one verse caught my attention. Verse 4 (NKJV). Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; But much increase comes by the strength of an ox. I don’t know about you, but sometimes it takes me awhile to visualize, digest, and chew on some of these proverbs to try to discern what principle or truth is being stated. It can be helpful to compare this verse in another translation. The Message Bible states it this way, No cattle, no crops; a good harvest requires a strong ox for the plow. For me this passage speaks about productivity. Where do we desire productivity: In the workplace with our businesses, jobs, and careers, in our homes with healthy marriages and families, in our service and ministry to others in the church and community, in our personal hopes and dreams? We all desire a rich and bountiful harvest in these areas in our lives...to be successful, to be prosperous, to be productive. The wisdom truth found in this proverb is in the ox. No oxen - no investment of food, diligent work, or care is needed for the trough is empty. However, with a strong ox (singular) for the plow (hard work) there will be a bountiful harvest.

Two issues of wisdom for success and productivity arise from this statement defined by the strong ox.

1. The strong ox represents a wise investment. The farmer must be able to identify a strong, sturdy, healthy, vibrant animal for the success of the difficult task ahead, and then nurture, feed, and care for it. The strong ox is well fed, well cared for, and more than ready to work and be productive.

2. The strong ox represents focus and hard work. With the focus, diligence, and hard work of the ox then excellence, productivity, and success will be a real possibility. It is this sustained and completed work till the field is fully plowed (which takes place months before the harvest), that the bountiful harvest is realized.

Where do you want or need to be productive in your life: business, work, investments, relationships, spiritual maturity, education, careers, finances, hopes and dreams, ministry, physical health? Then identify what would be your strong ox? It might be your financial investments, your investment and development of skills, knowledge and education, your investments of time and love in relationships, your investments in seeking and finding wisdom from God’s Word?

So, the difficult question for each of us to answer is how strong is your ox, and did your ox plow the field preparing it for the harvest? If not then you are not ready for the harvest.

Blessings,
Pastor Tim