In this series, we are examining some of the many commandments which are found in the law of Moses.  It is our aim to understand them better, build faith, and answer critics.  We are considering them topically.

1.  Let the land rest.  The land was to be left fallow each seventh year (Leviticus 25:3-5). 

Why?  This may have been to test their faith in the providence of God.  If so, Israel failed this test (Leviticus 26:33-35; 2 Chronicles 36:20-21). 

However, this, also, may have been given to Israel for their own physical well-being, and for the health and productivity of the land.  Overuse of the land can bring serious problems.    Consider the American “Dust Bowl.”  Kyle Butt writes, “The late 1920’s had seen a huge demand for wheat, and many farmers in Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Kansas planted crops year after year.  What they failed to factor into their farming practices was the fact that the land could not sustain growth of the same crop repeatedly without a period of rejuvenation.  Nutrients and bacteria (specifically, nitrogen-fixing bacteria) that had been removed from the land as a result of the never-ending sowing and reaping cycles needed time to be replaced.  But the farmers did not allow the land that precious time, and as a result, the grasses that normally grew in the fields to protect the land from erosion were unable to do so. When matters were complicated by a severe drought and dangerous windstorms in the region, the ground was too weak, and too fragile, to sustain either itself or its crops.  Huge gusts of… winds… swept away millions of tons of valuable topsoil” (Kyle Butt, Let the Land Rest, apologeticspress.org).

2.  Yoking and muzzling.  The ox and the donkey were not to be yoked together (Deuteronomy 22:10).  The ox was not to be muzzled while it was treading out grain (Deuteronomy 25:4).

Why?  It is fairly easy to infer that this was out of compassion and mercy for the animal (cf. Proverbs 12:10).  (1) The ox and the donkey are different in size, strength, stamina, and even pace of walk.  (2) Not muzzling the ox may also be out of concern for the animal.  Dennis Prager comments, “Jewish law understands this prohibition as applying to any working animal, not only an ox. It is cruel to muzzle an animal and thereby prevent it from eating food it is seeing, smelling and hungering for” (Deuteronomy, p. 393). [Some suggest that the ox may be borrowed. One source comments, “Deuteronomy 25:4 in context is … a law about how to treat properly the property you are borrowing or renting from someone. Seen in this light, v. 4 fits the original context quite well. Otherwise, the verse is an anomaly which seems to stand out.” (Do Not Muzzle the Ox by Justin Taylor, thegospelcoalition.org). This is an interesting theory. The text does specify this, and I do not know that the inference is correct. Although, the surrounding instructions do seem to concern relationships between people (Deuteronomy 24:1-4, 5,6,7,8-9,10-13,14-15,16,17,19-22; 25:1-3, 5-10, 11-12,13-16). This would also help explain the motive for the muzzling, that is someone wants the work without the cost of feeding an ox that does not belong to him].

However, the application is much greater than concern for animals.  (1) Christians are not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14-ff).  (2) A laborer is worthy of pay (1 Corinthians 9:8-12; 1 Timothy 5:17-18). 

3.  Mixing seed.  The seed of different kinds were not to be sowed together (Leviticus 19:19; Deuteronomy 22:9).  One kind of livestock was not to be crossbred with another kind (Leviticus 19:19).  Note: Kind (kilayim) is not the same word which appears in Genesis one (min).

Why?  We are not told.  We do not know.  Though many suggestions have been offered.  (1) Some suggest this may have been in response to some idolatrous practice.  (2) Some suggest that this is amoral commandment given to test obedience.  (3) Some suggest that this was given to provide a visible distinction between Israel and other nations.  It would remind them of their uniqueness in the world.  (4) Still others have suggested that this may have been a visual aid to teach a spiritual lesson, i.e., things which God distinguishes should be distinguished.

Let’s make application for us.  The seed is the word of God (Luke 8:11).  When the church assembles to worship, or when we evangelize let us not mix seed.  God’s word should not be mixed with other seed, e.g. the commandments of man, the traditions of men, politics, jingoism, investments or medical advice (no matter how sound), human philosophies, or anything else.  Doing so creates confusion, unnecessary conflicts, and takes away from what we should be focused, and trying to accomplish.

4.  Remember the poor.  Leave something for those in need (Leviticus 19:9; 23:22; Deuteronomy 24:19-21). Ruth gleaned from the fields of Boaz (Ruth 2).  Jesus’ disciples plucked grain (Matthew 12:1).

God cares about the poor.  So should we.  Jesus said that how we treat those in need is how we treat him (Matthew 25:31-46). 

5.  Remember the Sabbath.  Do so even when you are busy.  Do so “in plowing time and in harvest” (Exodus 34:21).

While emergency circumstances may come up (Exodus 23:4-5; Deuteronomy 22:4; Matthew 12:11; Luke 14:5), ordinary work was not to keep them from observing the Sabbath.  This was true even in the busiest times of their year.

What about us?  Do we take time to assemble with the saints and worship even when we are busy?  We should (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:24-25).