Proverbs 18:7: A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: witherso-ever it turneth, it prospereth. (Stone of Grace) Psalm 118:22, Genesis 11:1-6, Isaiah 53. John 14:12, Zechariah 4:1-7-8. A gift is so tempting that it can no more be refused than a lovely jewel can, by him to him it is presented;and such its power, that it commonly prevails over all men, dispatches all business, carries all causes and in a word, effects whatso-ever a man desires. Proverbs 14:4 KJV. Wher no oxen are, the crib is empty - clean. Where no oxen are the crib is clean,.... Or empty (z), so Jarchi and Aben Ezra. Oxen were used in Judea in several parts of husbandry; in ploughing the land, bringing home the corn, and in threshing or treading it out, Deuteronomy 22:10. Now where these are not, or not used, where husbandry is neglected, there is no straw in the crib for beasts, and much less food for men; or rather, no corn or wheat (a) on the threshingfloor (b), or in the barn, granary, or storehouse; for so the same word is rendered, Jeremiah 50:26; and in this manner it is interpreted by Gersom here, as also by Kimchi (c): the word translated clean is used for wheat, Amos 8:5. By supplying the negative particle, the whole may be rendered thus; where no oxen are, the threshingfloor, granary, or storehouse, is without wheat; or there is no wheat on the floor, or in the barn where there are no scholars of the wise men, there is no instruction in the constitutions. But much better is the mystical sense, thus; that where there are no ministers of the Gospel, there is no food for souls. Oxen are an emblem of faithful and laborious ministers. The ox was one of the emblems in the cherubim, which design Gospel ministers; the names by which oxen are called agree with them. Here are two words used of them in the text; the one comes from a root which signifies to teach, lead, guide, and govern; and the same word for oxen signifies teachers, leaders, guides, and governors; names which most properly belong to ministers of the word: the other word comes from a root which signifies to see, to look; because these creatures are sharp sighted. Ministers are seers, overseers, and as Johns living creatures in Revelation 4:6; one of which was an ox, were full of eyes, within, and before, and behind. So ministers of the word had need to have good sight, to look into the Scriptures, and search them; to look to themselves and to their flock, and to look out to discover enemies, and danger by them; and to look into their own experience, and into things both past and to come. There is a likeness in ministers to these creatures, as to the nature of them; they are clean, creatures, as such should be that minister in holy things; and chew the cud, as such should revolve in their minds and constantly meditate upon divine things; and, like them, are patient and quiet under the yoke; and are not only strong to labour, but very laborious in the word and doctrine; submit to the yoke, draw the plough of the Gospel; bring home souls to Christ, to his church, and to heaven; and tread out the corn, the mysteries of grace, out of the sacred writings. Now where there are no such laborious and diligent ministers of the word, as there are none in the apostate church of Rome, there is no spiritual food for the souls of men; but a famine of the word, and men perish for lack of knowledge; but much increase is by the strength of the ox; as there is a large increase of the fruits of the earth, through the tillage of it by proper instruments; as by the strong and laborious ox, whose strength is employed in ploughing the ground (d) and treading the corn; which is put for all means of husbandry, where that is used or not: so through the unwearied labours of Gospel ministers, the blessing of God attending them, there is much spiritual food; see Proverbs 13:23. There is an increase of converts, a harvest of souls is brought in; and an increase of gifts and of grace, and of spiritual light and knowledge, and plenty of provisions; which spiritual increase, through the ministry of the word, is owing to God, 1 Corinthians 3:6-16 Preaching the gospel has a snare.. Vanity. Intercessory prayer has no snare. Psalm 24:14-15 KJV... Psalm 118:26.... John 1:43-51 .. Remember, the sign of the fig tree is the sign of the new church. Mark 11:12-17 KJV. We must also remember that intercessory prayer is on the agony of redemption and that redemption is not re-generation. Redemption is simply the time and place in which we are ready - willing to receive from the Lord. There are no nations in Jesus Christs outlook, but the world. I must have respect to only one person.. Jesus Christ. He owns the harvest that is produced by DISTRESS AND CONVICTIONS of sin. John 6:114, 6:15-21, John 5:30-47
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 01:03:54 +0000
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