"The ox is in the ditch!" So, duty's demands are abruptly dismissed. No one can argue with the "law of the ox in the ditch," can they? But where is that law? The Sabbath law is defined in Ex. 20:10-11; 23:12-13 and Deut. 5:12-14. There is no "ox in the ditch" exemption in any of those passages. Where then is it? It is not there! The appeal is not an argument of rights — of law; it is a plea for mercy. Mercy was the point of Jesus (Lk. 14:1-5). The Jew had no "right" to get the ox out of the ditch on the Sabbath day. He plainly violated the law. Mercy — compassion pardoned the violation because of the circumstance. That it was a breach of law is not ignored. Maybe we should think of this before we make our "ox in the ditch" appeal. We plead guilty to the sin and ask for mercy.

"The ox is in the ditch!" Ah yes, but how did he get there? That makes a difference. The appeal assumes an accident — something not anticipated. This surely cannot be used to justify deliberate plans which prevent doing our duty.

"My ox is in the ditch! I am so busy I just can't get to study and do spiritual work like I ought." And he is not lying! His candle is burning at both ends — he does not have time for anything else. He has two jobs, Lion's Club, PTA, political action committee, little league, and a busy social schedule. No time is left, but it is no accident. Those commitments were all planned. Somebody agreed to every activity. That old ox did not stumble into the ditch; he had help. "I will have to cut my giving — my ox is in the ditch. I can hardly pay my bills." True. New cars, TV, house, boat, etc., takes all the money. It seems the Lord should have been considered first, nevertheless, whose name is at the bottom of those credit applications? I doubt the ox signed a single one of them! Someone asked for every payment. The ox was pushed.

And how long is the ox to stay in the ditch? Is this every Sabbath’s plea? That makes a difference. We may foolishly put our ox in the ditch, but we should promptly get him out. A brother explains his job has interfered with his duty — ox in the ditch. He does not mention that this is the ordinary demands of his job and it will be this way his whole working life. Brother, pull the ox out!

Brethren, our plans must be to do what is right — to be dependable in performing our duty. Interruptions should be temporary and unavoidable. Worse than a failure to measure up, is planning to fail.

Joe Fitch; 6326 Peacepipe; San Antonio, TX.