The ox has long been a symbol of power and might and the means of producing well-being throughout much of the world. In the time of planting, the ox plows up the ground for the good seed to be sown. In the time of harvest, the scripture speaks of "the ox that treadeth out the corn." making the grain suitable for consumption and profit for man. In death, the ox itself is a source of food and nourishment, the object of feasting.
What a wonderful picture we have in this of the Lord Jesus Christ who is portrayed in these various aspects by the ox or bullock. We also see the ox as a picture of those who serve Him and His people. Mighty ones! But with the Lord Jesus, the pictures excel all others. He alone is seen going into death and bringing blessing as seen in the various offerings of the Old Testament. Three of the offerings that particularly come to mind have a bullock offered in sacrifice.
Bullocks in the Offerings
Christ, the Mighty One of God, laid down His life and went into death:
1. As the burnt offering, Jesus was consumed for God, that God might be glorified as to the question of sin. (Eph. 5:2 and Lev. 1.)
2. As the peace offering, He was offered that God and the redeemed might enjoy Christ together in communion. "He is our peace." (Eph. 2:14, 1 John 1:3 and Lev. 3.)
3. As the sin offering, that our sins might be atoned for, "Jesus... suffered without the gate." Heb. 13:12. He was made an offering for sin. (2 Cor. 5:21 and Lev. 4.)
The Display of Excellence of Power in Grace
Christ as the bullock brings before us His strength, power and majesty laid aside in death for the glory of God and blessing of man. We see the Lord Jesus in the gospels plowing the ground. The Mighty One of God stirred up the conscience, planting the seed, that fruit might abound. In doing the will of His Father, His power and might are ever used for blessing. He heals the sick, cleanses the leper and raises the dead. He ministers grace to His hearers and makes provision for the multitudes, both in natural and spiritual needs. He provides for His own in life, in death, in resurrection and in future glory. Christ, the bullock, is the Mighty One of God, in life, in death, in resurrection and in glory!
Paul speaks of those who labor as being oxen "plowing in hope" and "threshing in hope," treading out the corn. (1 Cor. 9:9,10.) Paul indeed presents to us Christ in glory, "The old corn of the land." He also speaks of the elders "who labor in the word and doctrine" being as an ox "that treadeth out the corn." 1 Tim. 5:17, 18. It is wonderful when mighty ones present Christ to us in ministry and by way of example. Our hearts are lifted up and our spirits refreshed and encouraged when the glories of Christ are put forth by mighty ones in testimony.
How do those who are truly mighty rule? In lowliness and humility! "Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." The power of the truly mighty is not used in force, but by way of example, feeding the flock, "Humble... under the mighty hand of God." 1 Peter 5:1-6.
The Yoke
Oxen are of no value in labor unless they are placed in a yoke. The yoke in Scripture is a symbol of submission. To be fitted for the service of God, one must obey the words of the Lord Jesus when He says, "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." Matt. 11:29, 30. All power was in His hand, but to accomplish the will of the Father, He had to be in total submission. So all who would do His will, likewise must be in total submission. A spirit of meekness and lowliness as found in the Lord Jesus must be found in His servants in order for them to plow His field and reap His harvest. "Take My yoke upon you.”
How sad it is when power is used for self-exaltation. Others then are dominated and declared unprofitable, as by Diotrephes in 3 John 9,10. He loved to have the preeminence. Sad indeed! Here we learn of the ox that gores or does harm, often sadly, even to death.
Instead of stirring up gifts in others, no matter how small, he stifles and would quench the Spirit in others. As there is nothing so beautiful as power displayed in excellence, so there is nothing as distasteful or dangerous as power used to destroy. Such can only be the work of the Destroyer. "If an ox gore a man or a woman, that he die: then the ox shall be surely stoned.... But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death." Ex. 21:28, 29. What a solemn warning for the abuser of power, working the work of Satan for destruction and injury. The owner of the ox is also solemnly warned that when an ox is known to be aggressively harmful, he is to exercise restraint over it. The possessor of power has a responsibility to use that power for the good and advancement of all to the glory of God.
The Ox
The ox, then, can be considered in two aspects:
1. The display of power exercised in grace, first seen in our Lord Jesus Christ and then in all those who serve Him, providing the saints with sustenance.
2. The means of blessing for the people of God.
May our oxen be strong to labor, "that our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: that our garners may be full, affording all manner of store.... Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord." Psa. 144:12-15. S. Thomas