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* What was Wrong with Garments of Mixed Fabrics? The teaching in today's program also appears in Bob's life's work, The Plot, which notes that God forbade the Israelites from wearing clothes with mixed fabrics:
"You shall not wear a garment of different sorts, such as wool and linen mixed together." Deut. 22:11
Like many of the purely symbolic ordinances in Scripture, this symbol illustrated Man's need for God to cover his spiritual nakedness. Thus every Israelite had to wear pure garments, made from only one material. Not realizing that Bible writers used the concept of clothing symbolically (e.g., Ps. 104:2; 109:17?19; 132:9, 16, 18), someone might conclude that mixing two fabrics together is inherently immoral. A misguided believer today might go to great lengths to keep all fabrics separated just as Kosher Jews have taken unnecessary and extreme measures separating meat and dairy products. Man does not help God by expanding upon His commands (Gen. 2:17; 3:3; Col. 2:23). God said, "You shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk" (Ex. 34:26) so men invent a food system wherein they cannot store cheese in the same refrigerator as beef nor use the same utensils to handle both. The greater harm with such mistakes lies not in the wasted effort, but in that such contrived laws become a distraction from God and from His priorities.
For as the Apostle Paul wrote, obeying such "self-imposed" religious rules provides, "no value against the indulgence of the flesh." For:
These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. Col. 2:23
Ultimately, Jesus Christ is our "covering", so to point to His innocence, sinlessness, and purity, the entire nation of Israel was to cloth itself only in pure garments.
* What was Wrong with Muzzling the Ox?
"You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." Deut. 25:4
Like pure garments, this is also a symbolic command. God wants men to treat animals kindly (Prov. 12:10). Allowing an ox to feed while it works, however, is not the primary purpose of this law. This is another symbolic law, and as such, it is written primarily for man's benefit and not for the animal's benefit:
For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." Is it oxen God is concerned about? Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt… 1 Cor. 9:9-10
So the law against muzzling a working beast of burden is not about the ox. But as Paul is instructing believers to financially support ministers, this symbol shows that those, "who labor in the word and doctrine," are "worthy" of "wages" (1 Tim. 5:17?18; cp. Lev. 19:13). If you would, please consider this when deciding whether Bob Enyart Live is worthy of your financial support.
Please Note: Because Bob Enyart Live has no government grant, no foundation, nor a mega-church budget that supports our broadcast, please consider whether this radio outreach is worthy of your support! For without your financial support, it is very possibly that BEL may not continue. So please consider donating to BEL or, if you need a tax deduction, then please donate to Denver Bible Church!
The Jews were also not allowed to "plow with an ox and a donkey together," (Deut. 22:10). Plowing with two different types of animals is akin to putting two different size propellers on an airplane. Going in circles would be the least of one's problems. This prohibition symbolically teaches believers not to join themselves to unbelievers:
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 2 Cor. 6:14-15
Hence, neither of these commands is about the ethical treatment of animals. These laws are symbolic. It is not oxen God is concerned about but men (1 Cor. 9:9-10). Just as with Bob's book, The Plot, Today's radio program continues this teaching regarding the dietary law, and other, far deeper spiritual matters!
Today’s Resources -- Sermons & The Plot: Bob Enyart's life's work is based on this observation: Grasping the overview of the Bible is the KEY to its DETAILS. It's available in a soft-cover book titled The Plot, and in a downloadable pdf version or both, and it's also available in an audio recording of Bob's Plot seminars! And have your kids or grand kids heard the The Plot Boys yet? In this homeschool friendly audio series for young people, Bob and two young boys, Stephen and Josh, teach through an overview of the Bible. This teaching is presented in a way that kids (and adults) can really understand, so it's a valuable foundation for a serious understanding of the story of the Bible. Also, consider ordering the entire Enyart Library! This invaluable resource will benefit your entire family or church and help support the ministry of Bob Enyart Live.