Written for Us

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Feb 15, 1905

Written for Us.—"It is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn." 1 Cor. 9:9. Was this written only for the sake of the oxen?—No; it contains a universal principle, applying to all time; for Paul, writing in our dispensation, says, "For our sakes, no doubt, this is written." Thus God has clearly indicated that His laborers should be provided for; that they should not be hindered because of lack of temporal support. The above extract from "the law of Moses"—which was dictated by the Lord—was written "that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thrasheth in hope should be partaker of his hope." Then the apostle makes the application direct: "If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?" So all the things pertaining to the "law of Moses" were not done away at the cross—only "the handwriting of ordinances" was "against us," and that because these typical ceremonials had served their full purpose when Christ came. The "law of Moses" contained many other things besides the typical services, that were designed for our profit. So the prophet Malachi, writing concerning the very last time, says, "Remember ye the law of Moses My servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments." Mal. 4:4. "All Israel" implies all that are Christ's, the children of faith. See Gal. 3:7, 29; Phil. 3:3.