Illustration of the Ox

Although he has energy to burn, the young male ox would exhaust himself before completing the task set before him, should he not be yoked with a mature older ox.

Given a plot of land to plow, the young ox would be reckless, carefree and lack direction to plow straight rows. In his enthusiasm, he would expend needed energy before completing the task at hand. However, yoked to an older, experienced male, the young one would learn patience, how to stay the course, and how to work without burning out before the field is plowed.

The D Acres of New Hampshire Organic Farm & Educational Homestead pamphlet on Sustainable Forestry with Oxen, 2004, notes, “Trying to train a two year old ox to follow commands can be difficult. A rowdy ox can be yoked to a well-trained ox in order to train the wild ox about proper yoke etiquette. It must be considered, however, that this can be an unpleasant experience for the well-trained ox. Similarly, older oxen can be used to train a new or younger team by working them in tandem. The mature boys will be helpful for training the young, and the boys will remain useful until the young calves are trained and large enough to be of use for woodlot management”. (edited)

As to this training, John Bowen writes, “One use of the double yoke was to train young oxen. The farmer would link together an experienced ox and a young ox, and, as they pulled the plough together, the older ox would demonstrate how it was done: the discipline, the patience, the obedience, the stick-to-itiveness”.

Picture a young one being yoked to the older. In his youth, he starts by pulling against the master, rebelling, fighting, and ignoring the steady pace of the leader. The older walks with purpose, steadfastness, with his eye on the goal. Months later, the younger submits to the others gait. They plow together, the elder gathering renewed strength from the youth’s enthusiasm, fresh approach and eagerness to work. Together, they get the job done. They pace themselves for the days work.

So too, the young Christian is energetic, bold, powerful and eager to work however, he lacks direction and has the propensity to burn out before a task is completed.
For this reason, he needs to be yoked to a mature believer who can help him to learn obedience, humility, loyalty and how to complete the given task, one who will set the pace.

Who are you yoked to? Are you burned out, before your time?

Are you completing the given task with enthusiasm or are you bored?