Sabbath Keeping - An Ox in a Ditch and Healing on the Sabbath

The ox in a ditch principle is found in Luke 14:1-6. From this short section of scripture we get an important perspective on Sabbath keeping: It is right and proper to alleviate the suffering of others on the Sabbath. The example of the ox falling into a hole it cannot get out of also adds the element of an emergency and danger where immediate action is required.

 

Actions required to alleviate suffering could take the form of work you would otherwise not perform on the Sabbath but which needs to be addressed right away.

 

In Luke 13:10-15 another example is offered by Jesus where the regular work of feeding and tending animals is cited. If the animal's owner does not perform the necessary feeding and watering on the Sabbath then the animal would suffer. We know the animals would not die without water or food for 24 hours, but why should they suffer in even a minor way so that we might keep the Sabbath more strictly.

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Let's say you own a string of rental properties. You’re a Sabbath keeper, and normally you try to tend to all the maintenance issues involved with your properties from Sunday to Friday. However, emergencies come up. For example; a person's furnace may go out on a Friday night in January.

 

Exodus 20:8-11 The commandment indicates that you should not work on the Sabbath, it also indicates that your man-servant or maid-servant should not be compelled to work on the Sabbath on your behalf. In the 21st century this is generally interpreted to cover business owners not having employees or contract workers working for them on the Sabbath. So, your first reaction may well be: I'll have someone come out on Sunday morning.

 

The renters of your house will not die without heat for a day. They could wait for Sunday or perhaps Monday when a repair person is available. But is it right and Godly that the people renting your house suffer [even if only in a minor way] so that we might keep the Sabbath with greater peace of mind.

 

I believe it would be unjust to leave that person freezing in the cold. I had a friend who was an electrician, he was also an elder in the church, sometimes emergencies came up on the Sabbath that called for a skilled electrician and he was the only one to be found. In those cases, he went out to help.

 

God's desire is that we show compassion, care, concern, and righteous judgment when dealing with people 1 Corinthians 9:7-10. God cares about animals, but He cares about people even more. I think Jesus marveled that Jewish legal experts could make righteous and wise decisions about caring for animals... and yet be so hard-hearted when dealing with their fellow human beings.

 

They could discern the importance of compassion and outgoing concern when dealing with a donkey or a cow... but with people not so much. Perhaps that’s because people are more complicated than animals. A cow isn't trying to take advantage of you, emotionally manipulate you, she's not trying to shirk her obligations... a cow's needs are pretty simple. But God wants us to go from the easy to the complex, this is what is means to learn to judge righteous judgment.

 

Jeremiah 12:5-6

 

The ox in a ditch principle is not based on specific references to the covenant law. Its something that the people of Israel reasoned out for themselves. Jesus simply affirms their practice... He more or less says, this is a properly thought through application of mercy and concern tempering strict rule following. Then He goes on to say... "Now, why don't you start applying it to human beings as well".

Mercy Triumphs Judgment

Careful obedience to the Sabbath command is an expression of our love towards God and is expected of those who would worship Him in spirit and truth. However, God's word tells us that He desires mercy over strictness. 

 

James 2:13 the best known scripture on this idea

Matthew 9:13 here is an example from the gospel accounts where Jesus is quoting Hosea 6:6 and Micah 6:6-8. This reference back to the old testament reminds us this idea is part of the old testament witness and not something new. It is an important over-arching principle even under the old covenant.

 

These two old testament verses speak of mercy over sacrifice. But the point is this: the people of old thought they would be right with God if they just followed the rules. Like sacrificing the correct kind of animal at the correct time. And when God through the prophets told them He was dissatisfied with them... they were surpr ised or mystified.

 

God wanted them to make changes to their thoughts and the behavior that sprang from those thoughts. That's one of the primary messages of the prophets. Note: the prophets weren't springing something new on the people. The changes in behavior God wanted to see happening were spelled out in the books of the law.

 

That calls for a good understanding of the books of the law... do we as a Church, or as a congregation have a good working understanding of the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy? Perhaps this is something we can work to address, at least in this local area.

 

Matthew 12:7 here is a direct correlation of this old covenant principle with attitudes about Sabbath observance. Mercy, compassion, and good judgment are necessary for making good decisions about Sabbath observance... for you own observance... and for what judgments and opinions you might have about how others keep the Sabbath.

 

Careful Obedience Mixed With Mercy and Good Judgment

Matthew 23:23-24 here we have an important caveat from Jesus. He criticizes the Pharisees and legal minds for being very concerned about minor matters such as tithing from their backyard herb garden... but not addressing the big issues like judgment, mercy, and faithfulness. Then, at the end He says something important... "you should have taken care of the big issues without neglecting carefulness in obedience". God is not looking for mercy INSTEAD of carefulness in obedience... He wants BOTH working together.

 

Outside the brotherhood of the Church of God some take this principle and use it to say God doesn't care about Sabbath observance. He used to, but now He's changed His mind and doesn't care. That is faulty biblical thinking and not a subject I want to dwell on today...

 

Within the brotherhood of the church there is potential to take the "ox in a ditch principle" in the wrong direction as well!

 

Some might take this principle and use it cleverly to justify work on the Sabbath which are really matters of personal convenience, preference, or perhaps pleasure. … "the golf club keeps scheduling the club championship finals on Saturday so if I want to participate I have to do it on Saturday... I guess its an ox in a ditch".

 

The ox in a ditch principle is not a loophole.

 

Rather than having the bible give you 10,000 possible scenarios for what is and what is not "an ox in a ditch" its better in God’s eyes that you meditate on the principle yourself... learn how to apply it and judge righteously.

 

God gives us the commandment... He gives us a few case studies [judgments or rulings] to help us learn the principle [for example Exodus 21-23]. Otherwise, He expects us to learn how to think it through, and learn to judge righteous judgment. That's how we learn to think and act like our Creator John 7:24.  

Wise Counsel

Note: I am ready willing and available to help you if you need advice, counsel and so forth. Feel free to call if you want. The ministry has a legitimate role to play in helping people understand the application of scripture. But our real goal is to help you learn to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

 

Careful in obedience but merciful in judgment.

 

What I have found in my short time as Pastor is that there is usually a twist that makes each circumstance unique. Scripture does not attempt to handle every possible scenario for Sabbath keeping, or commandment keeping as a whole.

 

The Sabbath is not intended to be a burdensome day filled with taboos. Its a day of rest and must be approached with wisdom. God has given us a command. He’s given us a few case studies and judgments [like Exodus 12:16 or Matthew 12:1-8]… then He wants us to learn how to judge, evaluate, and make good decisions.

 

If you are going to be a priest and authority figure helping Christ during His millennial rule… you have to learn how to make judgments on matters that are not black and white. There are going to be unique situations in the millennium which you will have to judge. Anywhere there is freedom of will and human beings there will be need for skill in making righteous judgment… you have to know the letter of the law, you also have to know the spirit of the law… learn when to apply mercy and when to apply discipline. That is wisdom and that is true righteousness

 

Exodus 18:25-26 when there are matters you simply cannot seem to get sorted out yourself seek help from the ministry. But remember: it is God’s desire that you learn how to apply God’s his basic laws yourself so that you may help others.

 

Be careful in obedience… and merciful in judgment.