Got Oxen? – Part 03
This is a series of posts containing excerpts from my latest book, Oxen, which releases on Tuesday, October 30, 2012! Pre-order your copy today and receive 20% off!
If you were given the choice of an “empty manger” or an “abundant harvest,” which outcome would you choose? I may never have the privilege of personally meeting you, but I do know one thing about you: If given the choice, you would select an “abundant harvest” over “empty manger” every single time.
An empty manger is barren. It represents hunger and potential famine. The manger once held food, but now it is cleaned out. It has nothing left over. To more fully comprehend this, imagine that your entire house is void of food – the pantry, cupboards, and refrigerator are completely empty.
An abundant harvest is presented as an alternative outcome. I liked the sound of this much better than an empty manger. An abundant harvest suggests that we have a full manger – all of the time. Dictionary.com defines “abundant” as “present in great quantity; more than adequate; oversufficient.”
As I pondered these two potential outcomes. I sensed a life-changing moment approaching. I knew if I could truly grasp the wisdom contained within this verse, my life would be radically changed. As I read Proverbs 14:4 again, I saw what made the difference between an empty manger and an abundant harvest: oxen.
Proverbs 14:4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest. (NIV:1984)
Read the verse again. What leads to an empty manger? No oxen!
Look at the verse again. What leads to an abundant harvest? Oxen!
The DIFFERENCE is Oxen.
QUESTION: Do YOU have oxen? PRE-ORDER your copy of Oxen today!
Read the entire series (available after October 30, 2012)