Typo — Paul was a tentmaker…
It was great to be back in class this morning, even though, when I start teaching I realize that I have not fully recovered from being sick. Using my voice for an extended period starts me coughing. I am sure that each day that passes I am getting better.
Today, we examined Paul’s continued defense of his apostleship, dealing with the accusations of this carnal church concerning his income from his tent making occupation he used while on his mission journeys. He did not want to be accountable to anyone, even though he deserved to have his needs met by those he was ministering to.
Paul used the example of the ox treading the corn in verse 9 straight from the Law in Deuteronomy 25:4 — Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. The Bible is a picture book that teaches us many spiritual truths through the physical pictures God gives us. Remember, the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.
The ox is a picture of the Christian, and the way Paul uses it, a picture of the Christian leader and his / her work in the local church being worthy of their vocation. 1 Corinthians 9:11-14 make it clear that those in leadership should make their living of the gospel.
Conversely, in Deuteronomy 22:10, the command — Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together, is given. Spiritual picture: Ox = Christian believer / ass or donkey = lost person or unbeliever. That physical picture of two contrary natures is reinforced by Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:14-16: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20); as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
The spiritual truth is that, as believers, we are warned against marrying, or entering into business partnerships with unbelievers. This is why we should direct our children to seek out a person of like faith to marry. The load is lighter when two likeminded individuals are pulling together.