Proverbs 14:4 "Where there are no oxen, there is no grain..."

“Where there are no oxen, there is no grain; abundant crops come by the strength of the ox” (Proverbs 14:4 NRSV).

Comment:

It seems to me there are two possible implications in this verse. The first is that nothing comes without a commitment to work. Oxen represent both physical strength and a sort of plodding sense of duty. We sometimes want the grain to appear by magic; indeed, the more we expand our consciousness to absorb spiritual possibilities, the more tempting it can be to expect “miracles” to provide our needs. But “abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.” It takes work to plow, sow, tend and reap – and that's true for our spiritual progress as well as our physical.   The other implication that comes to mind might be expressed as “Without oxen, no manure; without manure, no healthy crops.” This suggests that nothing is wasted in spiritual truth; everything serves an essential purpose.   Blessings!

Rev. Ed