Deuteronomy 25:1-41If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked. 2And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number. 3Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee. 4Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. (Deuteronomy 25:1‑4)
THE PRECEPTS of the Lord in these chapters are truly wonderful. They cover a wide range of subjects and circumstances. They regulate the most ordinary matters of life, and even the cattle are not forgotten.
Here the first in this chapter has to do with punishment. "If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, . . . they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked." But the poor man who had done the wrong must not be beaten excessively. Forty stripes was the maximum they could give him, "and not exceed." He might deserve to be punished but he was not to be considered vile; he was still a brother. Punishment might be necessary but it was not to exceed a point beyond which one might lose his respect for the guilty.
This tells us of the care the Lord would have us exercise in all matters of discipline and chastening. Discipline might be necessary but it is always to correct and restore, and the Lord would ever have us to preserve His own in honor. How gracious and forgiving He has been to us! "He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him." Psa. 103:10,1110He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. (Psalm 103:10‑11).
"Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn." v. 4. We may wonder why this comes in here like it does but the New Testament gives the answer and shows that there is a spiritual sense to the law which abides long after those to whom it was given have been set aside.
The ox patiently treading out the corn on the threshing floor was entitled to eat of the corn as it faithfully made its rounds. Here is the picture of the Lord's faithful workman who by patient labor separates the chaff from the precious wheat, symbol of the Word, the seed sown in the heart and the food of God's people.
"Doth God take care for oxen? or saith He it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes no doubt this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope." 1 Cor. 9:9,109For 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? 10Or 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. (1 Corinthians 9:9‑10). "The Lord ordained," the Apostle goes on to say, "that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." v. 14. We have the privilege and responsibility of ministering to and caring for those whom the Lord has sent forth to labor for Him.
Messages of the Love of God 11/16/1975