Yes, the oxen were loaded that day, and they were tired. They probably had been pulling the load all day, because oxen are strong beasts, and it takes a lot for their strong and steady legs to become really tired.
What load did they carry? Let’s look up the answer in Isaiah 46:1-21Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast. 2They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity. (Isaiah 46:1‑2): “Their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: [their] carriages were heavy laden; they are a burden to the weary beast. They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden.” Those tired oxen were carrying a load of idols, perhaps for moving or perhaps for a parade. Of course, it was a very valuable load, for what is more important in anybody’s life than their idols?
The idols were probably handmade and hand painted and maybe mended and repainted. Idols must be kept in repair, you know, so that they can be faithfully worshipped. Not very many people can live without idols. They are very important, even if they keep you busy and tired and never satisfied.
Do you have some idols in your life? I can think of a few things that I know are idols to some people. Sometimes we call these things “gods,” because they take up so much time and money and work that other things are pushed aside and neglected. See if you can name a few, maybe even in your own life.
Every country has different gods. In Babylon long ago, they were images made of wood or stone, and in the country where you live now, you might think your gods are much more worthy of your time and work. But there’s one thing all gods have in common - they don’t love you. You must buy them with money and time and energy, but they don’t love you. They will never satisfy you, and they will never last beyond death. You must leave them all behind, and most of them you will stop enjoying long before you leave this life.
Is there a God that you don’t have to carry? Is there a God whose approval you don’t have to win? Yes. I have a God who carries me, and He lives in heaven! My God is the One who made me and loves me, and He says, “Even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar [white] hairs I will carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you” (Isaiah 46:44And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. (Isaiah 46:4)).
Would you like to have a God like that? You may ask, What can I do to earn His approval? Nothing. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)). If you know that you are a sinner, then you know that God loves you and is ready to save you. And He will be responsible to carry you home; you don’t have to carry Him.
Do you want this God of love forever and ever? Or do you look at the gods that seem more important to you, and will you struggle to give your life to those gods that do not love you and cannot save your soul? You are sure to lose them in the end and to lose your soul too.