Bridges on Proverbs 14:4
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 14:4
 
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4.  Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
 
Oxen are used in husbandry. (Deuteronomy 25:4. 1 Kings 19:19.) Where, therefore, no oxen are, to till the ground, the crib is clean. (Amos 4:6.) Because, where is no labour, there can be no food wherewith to supply it. God works by means, not by miracles. There must be good husbandry, in order to an abundant harvest. Let the ox be put to his work, and much increase will be by his strength. (Psalm 144:14.) In the spiritual husbandry, where there are no labourers, all is barrenness and desolation. But see the much increase — the harvest of precious souls — the fruit of their strength and effectiveness.† “In all labour,” both in the natural and spiritual husbandry, “there is profit.” (Verse 23.) But God will never acknowledge a slothful servant.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deuteronomy 25:4
4 Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. {treadeth...: Heb. thresheth}
 
1 Kings 19:19
19 ¶ So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.
 
 
Amos 4:6
6 ¶ And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
 
 
Psalm 144:14
14 That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets. {strong...: Heb. able to bear burdens, or, loaden with flesh}
 
 
Footnote:
1 Corinthians 3:9; 9:9, 10. 1 Timothy 5:18, and the image of the Minister, Revelation 4:7, seem to warrant this application of the proverb.
 
 
1 Corinthians 3:9
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. {husbandry: or, tillage}
 
1 Corinthians 9:9, 10
9 For 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? 10 Or 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 Timothy 5:18
18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
 
Revelation 4:7
7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 14:23
23 ¶ In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.