Don't Muzzle an Ox while it is threshing?

Reading through the letter to Timothy by the Apostle Paul today I came across this verse which I have heard many times before but never really understood the meaning of it:

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” (1 Timothy 5:17-18)

Paul (who also quotes this in 1 Corinthians 9:9) is once again using a farming metaphor to teach us a spiritual truth. I wrote about "Don't kick against the goads" previously. In that story Paul was recounting his first encounter with Jesus (Acts 26:14) during which he learned that resisting God's guidance in life would only end up injuring ourselves. He compared himself to a stubborn ox. Here in this lesson to Timothy (or rather a lesson for Timothy to instruct his church congregation) he is comparing the elders to oxen (plural of ox!) doing the work of God. Church elders who direct the affairs of the church and especially those who have the jobs of preaching and teaching, are to be treated not only with "double honour", but supported financially as well. He quoted from Deuteronomy 25:4 where Moses was instructing the Israelites God's rules for right living. The verse comes strangely right in the middle of other instructions that seem totally unrelated to it. The original idea of putting a muzzle on an oz during the process of tramping the grain on the threshing floor is that it cannot eat the grain. God through Moses is saying that this is wrong. But the reason is not specified. Based on this excellent blog in thegospelcoalition.org Justin Taylor explained that the original meaning in Deuteronomy is likely this:

"By process of elimination, this leaves us with the situation of a man borrowing or renting an ox to thresh his own grain. In that event, his self-interest would entail preserving as much of his threshed grain as possible; on the other hand, he would have no intrinsic motivation to let the ox eat of his grain. If the animal ended up in a weakened state or unhealthy as a result, the situation does not result in any economic loss on his end. This, then, seems like the most plausible situation for requiring a command. The covenant stipulation works against the selfish motive for a man to take advantage of another man’s property. (To use a modern analogy, at the risk of anachronism, this is the reason that rental stores today have agreements about returning rented equipment in good working order; they know that when someone doesn’t own something there is an increased propensity for recklessness and lack of diligent care.)"... 
"Seen in this light, v. 4 fits the original context quite well. Otherwise the verse is an anomaly which seems to stand out."

So to apply it to Paul's use in the New Testament, he explains:
"Once this is seen, rich texture is added to Paul’s use of this verse. His point is not really that the Corinthians should have compassion or mercy for him and Barnabas, but that this is a matter of fundamental justice. The issue is not really kindness, but rights. When Paul says this is not really about the oxen, he is pointing to this wider and deeper reality at play in this verse as it was originally to be understood. Therefore the Corinthians should want to provide appropriate compensation as an expression of justice, even if Paul ultimately rejects the offer."

So what have I learned from this. Firstly, my attitude towards the scripture (especially the Old Testament) must be that of reverence. There is always a deeper truth than what my finite mind can muster. I must take a serious attitude to learn. Secondly, when I meet someone who is doing the work of God full time, pay special respect. Take a serious interest in learning about his work. Do not come with a negative attitude that the person is only interested in financial support but offer it joyfully. God wants me to know that this person has a right to what God has generously entrusted to me.

Isaiah Chapter 53 - The Suffering Servant

This is a very familiar chapter in the Bible. It is often read during Easter. I have always assumed (as do most Christians I am sure) that this is a prophetic passage about Jesus Christ. But there are considerable debates, especially among some Jewish scholars, that the servant in Is 53 refers to the Jewish nation itself. It is interesting (and I just learned for the first time) that Is 53 is also called the Fourth Servant Song. And this is the list of the "Servant Songs":

• The First Song (Is 42:1-4): speaks of the Servant bringing justice to earth.
• The Second Song (Is 49:1-6): The Servant is predestined (even prenatally) to lead both Israel and the nations.
• The Third Song (Is 50:4-9): The Servant will suffer but the Lord will sustain him.
• The Fourth Song (Is 53): The Servant will bear the sufferings for the sins of the world. He will ultimately be raised and placed in God's honoured position.

Of the several references I read, John Piper (one of my favourite preachers) speaks on this servant with most clarity. He has a sermon series called "Jesus Christ in Isaiah 53". He explains:

• The Servant can be the people of Israel as in Is 41:8,10: "But you Israel, my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen . . . fear not for I am with you."
• The Servant can also be Isaiah himself as in Is 49:5: "And now says the Lord, who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring back Jacob to him . . . " 
• But in Isaiah 53 the servant can't be the prophet or the people because the servant is pictured as substituting himself for both the prophet and the people. Verse 4: "Surely he [the Servant] has born our griefs and our sorrows he carried." Verse 5: "He was pierced through for our transgression, he was crushed for our iniquities." "Our" means "me, Isaiah" and the people of Israel who will believe on this servant of the Lord. So the servant is not the people and not Isaiah, because he is the substitute for Isaiah and the people. He is their servant.
• From the New Testament, we also know that this servant is Jesus as interpreted by many of the New Testament writers. Peter says in 1 Peter 1:11, "The prophets sought to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow." He then quoted Is 53:5 in 1 Peter 2:24. In Acts 8 the Ethiopian eunuch was reading Isaiah 53 when Philip joined him in his chariot. The eunuch asked, "Of whom does the prophet speak, of himself, or of someone else?" And Luke tells us that "Philip opened his mouth and beginning from this scripture he preached Jesus to him" (Acts 8:35). 

Wow, with this new insight, my reading of Is 53 takes me closer to who Jesus is and what he has done for me. Thank you Jesus!

Who are the Scythians?

I had a wonderful time visiting a young Iranian couple last night. As I was driving home I felt an "indescribable" joy (2 Corinthians 9:15). Oh how true it is that God's gift has been extended to all people. For in Christ "there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all." (Colossians 3:11). But wait a minute, who are the Scythians that Paul should single out here? I checked, this word appeared only once in the entire Bible. According to wikipedia, "the Scythians (/ˈsɪθi.ən/ or /ˈsɪði.ən/; from Greek Σκύθης, Σκύθοι) were Iranic equestrian tribes who inhabited large areas in the central Eurasian steppes between the 7th century BC and 4th century AD.". What a coincidence! I believe the Iranians have a very special place in God's kingdom.

As I was reading the entire chapter of Colossians 3 this morning, the context of Colossians 3:11 is the result of our deeper understanding of the "Supremacy of Christ" (Colossians 1:15-23) and God's "mystery" revealed to the church, which is: "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27). The "blessed hope" which we have inherited in Christ has been extended to the Gentiles, in particular, the Scythians!

The take home message from Colossians 3:1-17 which I have copied here from the NIV translation:

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

We have been raised with Christ and we will appear with him in glory (verses 1-4). That's our blessed hope! Therefore while we are still on earth, we should set our hearts and minds on things above (I had written this before in my blog to Joan and Francis on their wedding day). God has called together a people composed of all nationalities and ethnic origins with various cultural practices, and people of different social status, to live on this earth to show the world that it is possible to live lives that are the better version of ourselves - just as God has intended. The characteristics of this "heaven on earth" lifestyle include staying away from actions arising from our earthly nature (verses 5-9; don't worry, we have the Holy Spirit to help us), and "clothing" ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (verse 12; yes, the fruit of the Spirit!); and peace among God's people (verse 13) and above all, love and unity (verse 14).

I think I had a glimpse of the peace of Christ last night. I was thankful that I have been included in the company of Jews and Gentiles, slave and free, and yes Scythians!

Prayers for the church

Years ago I read a book by John Stott called "God's New Society". It is a book based on Paul's letter to the Ephesians in the New Testament. I almost visited the city of Ephesus when I was in Istanbul in November of 2011. I just ran out of time. It would have been great to see the historic site and imagine what it must have been like when Paul founded the church there. My scripture reading this week took me through the Book of Ephesians once again. I was struck by the way Paul prayed for the Christians there. Here is perhaps two of the most famous prayers he recorded in this letter:

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (Ephesians 1:15-23)

The three things Paul prayed for the Ephesians in this prayer are:

• that they may know God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the (Holy) Spirit better (verse 17) - to know the triune God personally and deeply (not just to know about him)
• that they may know the hope (of his glorious inheritance in his holy people - or the church) (verse 18) - God is more hopeful about the church than we are; the church is the bride of Christ!
• that they may know his incomparably great power (verse 19), which was the same power which raised Jesus from the dead (verse 20) - God is in charge! "...on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it." (Matthew 16:18)

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21)

This prayer speaks of the sources of power for God's church:

• the power of the indwelling Spirit of Christ is to be found through faith (verses 16-17) - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
• the power must be rooted and established in love, which is to grasp (a deep understanding and motivated by) the deep deep love of Christ (verses 17-18) - This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:10)
• the power of love surpasses knowledge; the measure of our love is how much we are filled by God's love (verse 19) - We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. (1 Corinthians 8:1). And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. (2 Corinthians 8:1-2)

So next time I am to pray for the church I should remember these two great prayers. This is the heart of Paul to a church he so loved. This is the heart of God for the church he loved and sent his son to die in order to redeem her for himself. Look at the church (with all the blemishes) the way God looks at her - full of faith, hope and love - the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13).