ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

Tokonaki ‘Aokosi 21, 2021

The laborer deserves his wages

‘Ilonga ha taha ‘oku ngāue, ‘oku taau ke ne ma‘u ha‘ane totongi 

Teutalōnome 25 (Deuteronomy 25)

(v. 4) You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.

(v. 4) ‘E ‘ikai te ke ha‘iha‘i ‘a e ngutu ‘o ha pulu ‘i he‘ene ‘au‘au ‘a e koane.

 

* G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible*

This chapter is a continuation of the two previous ones in giving varied instructions.

Punishments were to be righteously administered and were never to be excessive. It is interesting to notice what excessive punishment is to the mind of God. It is anything which makes our brother appear vile in our sight. Perhaps no word of these varied instructions reveals more clearly than this the divine sense of the rights of personality.

The next word was concerned with the wrong of muzzling the ox that treadeth out the corn. It would seem that whereas undoubtedly this was applicable first to animals, it also had a spiritual significance. At least it was so referred to by Paul (see1 Corinthians 9:8-10; 1 Corinthians 9:8-101 Corinthians 9:8-10).

The law of the kinsman redeemer, which provided for the perpetuation of the line of descent in Israel of one dying without issue was enunciated at this time. Just measures were insisted upon and the people were solemnly warned to maintain their antagonism to Amalek.

Moses' very lack of system or order in setting forth these sundry laws is in itself suggestive. It would seem to say to us that we may approach life in any of its activities or relationships, knowing that God is always interested; and, more, that He has a purpose and a method which it is our business to discover and obey.

 

*Commentary: David Guzik Study Guide on Deuteronomy 25

You shall not muzzle an ox: This law simply commanded the humane treatment of a working animal. In those days, grain would be broken away from his husk by having an ox walk on it repeatedly (usually around a circle). It would be cruel for force the ox to walk on all the grain, yet to muzzle him so he couldn't eat of it.

In 1 Corinthians 9:9 and 1 Timothy 5:18 Paul applied this principle to the minister's right to be supported by the people the ministers to. In fact, 1 Corinthians 9:9-10 leads us to believe that this is the real point God is making in this verse, because in that passage Paul asked, Is it oxen God is concerned about? Or does He say it altogether for our sakes?