Topical Bible: The Ox: Increase of, Promised

◄ The Ox: Increase of, Promised ►

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In the biblical context, the ox is often seen as a symbol of strength, labor, and agricultural prosperity. The promise of an increase in oxen is frequently associated with divine blessing and abundance, reflecting God's provision for His people. This promise is rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where obedience to God's commandments would result in material and spiritual prosperity.

Biblical References:

1. Deuteronomy 28:4 · In the blessings for obedience, God promises, "The fruit of your womb will be blessed, as well as the produce of your land and the offspring of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks." Here, the increase of oxen is implied as part of the broader promise of livestock multiplication, signifying God's favor and the resulting agricultural abundance.

2. Proverbs 14:4 · "Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox." This proverb highlights the essential role of oxen in agricultural productivity. The presence and increase of oxen are directly linked to the ability to cultivate the land effectively, leading to a bountiful harvest.

3. Isaiah 30:23-24 · "Then He will give rain for the seed you have sown in the ground, and the food that comes from your land will be rich and plentiful. On that day your cattle will graze in open pastures. The oxen and donkeys that work the ground will eat salted fodder, winnowed with shovel and pitchfork." This passage underscores the promise of agricultural prosperity, where the increase of oxen is part of the divine provision for a fruitful and thriving agrarian society.

Theological Significance:

The increase of oxen as a divine promise is deeply intertwined with the themes of covenant and obedience. In the Old Testament, God's blessings, including the multiplication of livestock, were contingent upon Israel's faithfulness to His laws. The ox, as a vital component of agrarian life, represents not only physical strength and labor but also the tangible evidence of God's blessing upon His people.

The promise of increased oxen also serves as a metaphor for spiritual strength and endurance. Just as the ox is a beast of burden, capable of sustaining heavy loads and plowing fields, believers are called to bear spiritual burdens and cultivate the fields of faith. The increase of oxen, therefore, symbolizes the empowerment of God's people to fulfill their divine calling and to experience the fullness of His provision.

In summary, the promise of an increase in oxen is a multifaceted symbol of God's blessing, encompassing material prosperity, spiritual strength, and the fulfillment of His covenantal promises to those who walk in obedience to His word.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 7:13
And he will love you, and bless you, and multiply you: he will also bless the fruit of your womb, and the fruit of your land, your corn, and your wine, and your oil, the increase of your cows, and the flocks of your sheep, in the land which he swore to your fathers to give you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 28:4
Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, and the fruit of your ground, and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your cows, and the flocks of your sheep.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Four Gospels.
... faith in Jesus of Nazareth as the promised Messiah and ... Matthew, the lion to Mark,
the ox to Luke ... The very discrepancies in minor details increase confidence and ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 78 the four gospels.htm

Tenth Commandment
... his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ... When goods increase, they
are increased that eat them ... for the riches and honors that Balak promised him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/tenth commandment.htm

A Liberal Church
... Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth ... By imparting they increase
their blessings. ... it shall be given unto you," God has promised; "good measure ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 32 a liberal church.htm

An Hymn of Heavenly Love
... That they 'gan cast their state how to increase. ... Fell from the hope of promised
heavenly place,. ... Between the toilful Ox and humble Ass,. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/iv an hymn of heavenly.htm

His Life
... THE WORD MADE FLESH. THE PROMISED BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. ... A MESSAGE TO HEROD.
THE OX IN THE PIT. ... A PARABLE TO THE LOVERS OF MONEY. "INCREASE OUR FAITH.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/

Demonstration vi. --Of Monks.
... Lord, let him return it to its Giver with its increase. ... as food to the faithful,
and Paradise promised to the ... The fatted ox is slain and the cup of redemption ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration vi of monks.htm

Answer to the Objection of the Heathen, that it was not Right to ...
... Why do we increase or diminish our patrimony, and not keep it exactly the same as
we got it? ... "The ox," it is said, "knoweth his owner ... Who promised immortality? ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter x answer to the objection.htm

Against the Arians, and Concerning Himself.
... for not being a land animal, or an ox because it ... much of riches, on which, if they
increase, our Law ... and the father of many myriads who were promised before to ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxiii against the arians.htm

Unimpeachable Justice
... come before him they say, "Lord, once I promised, once I ... most powerful things that
shall tend to increase your misery ... fool goeth to the stocks, or an ox to the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/unimpeachable justice.htm

The Poetical Books (Including Also Ecclesiastes and Canticles).
... of her great festivals, that he will increase them with ... The ox knoweth his owner,
And the ass his master's ... in connection with the advent of the promised Messiah ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxi the poetical books.htm