From the Category, “The Eastern Eye”

[The Bible is an “Eastern” book. It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.”  As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.]

There is an expression we use today when referring to someone who is not very smart.  They say that the person is as dumb as an ox.  I don’t know if oxen are really stupid or not.  But there is a place in the Bible where God makes reference to His people saying that they were actually dumber than oxen!

In the lands and times of the Bible, in the small villages, early in the morning a young boy would lead the animals out to the fields.  He would go to the different owners of the animals and lead them out to the field to graze.  He would lead the asses from their cribs.   He would lead the cows and oxen from their mangers.

Returning Home

In the evening the young boy, called a “cowboy,” would not bring the animals back to the owners’ crib or manger.  He would simply bring them to the village and let them go.  The cows, asses and oxen would then find their own way to their own master’s crib or manger.

I guess those animals weren’t so dumb after all.  The asses knew where their masters’ crib was and the oxen knew where their masters’ manger was located.  They had the sense to return home.

My People Do Not Know

In the Bible in the book of Isaiah, there is an idiom where God talks about how the ass and ox know where their masters are, but Israel does not know or even consider.  This is certainly far from a compliment.

God is saying, rather bluntly, that His own people have forgotten who their Master is.  They do not even have the sense of an ass or an ox.  Those “dumb” animals knew where their masters were, but God’s own people did not.

Instead of returning to their Master, to God, Israel was putting their trust in other gods.  They had, as the book of Jeremiah states, forsaken God, an unlimited fountain, and built for themselves broken cisterns that can hold no water.

Blistering Reproof

Understanding the culture in the Bible, one can easily see that this verse in Isaiah is a blistering statement of reproof.  God is telling His people that they don’t even have the sense of an ass or an ox.

God is trying to show them very pointedly, using something they are familiar with, that they really ought to remember who God is and how He can provide for them.  If they would remember that, then they wouldn’t need to go chasing after other gods, putting their trust elsewhere, instead of in God.

Our God is a God who provides for His people.  He provides solutions, liberty, peace, joy, healing, abundance, and all that we need.  Those who are complaining and looking for sympathy and pity need to have at least the smarts of an ass and turn to God.

Return To God

Too often people want to have it their own way.  They many times even know what the Word of God says, but they have their own way of doing things; they have their own plan.  They think that they are right and don’t realize that in doing that they are not even as smart as an ox.

But for those who choose to return to God, those who return to the Master, God will indeed provide for them as they put their trust in God.

Isaiah 1:3
The ox knows his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel does not know, my people do not consider.

Malachi 3:7
Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them.  Return unto me, and I will return unto you, says the LORD of hosts.

Mike Verdicchio

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Resources
There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the Eastern culture in which the Bible was written.  The best I know of were written by Bishop K. C. Pillai I have had the pleasure of listening to many recorded teaching by him.

He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced.  But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer. Light Through an Eastern Window

Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)