crzylfdvos: Donkey

I thought that is was crazy that rich man Job had so many donkeys. (Job 42:12 over 1000 female donkeys) What could they possibly be good for any way? Why would you want so many?

I think of them just as stubborn, obstinate, difficult to control, and hard headed.

Well here’s what I found…

Now days mostly in underdeveloped countries, however it used to be a symbol of wealth… how wealthy someone was… they gave a count of their donkeys.

There are 142 references to the donkey in the New International Version.

SHEEP and GOAT PROTECTION: The advantage of the donkey over the guard dog is that they can eat the same food as the sheep so they don't have to be fed separately. The donkey will also bed down with the sheep at night. Given a strange sound it will voice a warning to the flock which alerts them to danger. Then the donkey will chase and often trample the predator

HALTER BREAKING: The standard size donkey is also very adept at halter breaking young calves and yearling horses.

COMPANIONSHIP/Pets: The donkey is a wonderful companion to foals at weaning time. Nervous horses have been known to calm down with a donkey companion in a stall/stable or pasture. Curious also…the donkey naturally loves children.

MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION: Numbers 22:28 Balaam and the donkey

WORKING DONKEY:
· Packing to carry the heavy load
· Skidding or pulling things

TRAVEL/TRANSPORTATION: sure footed for ride/travel

WEAPONS: They apparently have strong bones. Judges 15:15-17. Samson uses the jawbone to kill a thousand men.

BREEDING: All sizes of donkeys are used to breed mules. Large mammoth jacks up to 16 hands in height are used to breed draft mules.

SKIN CARE: It is said that Cleopatra, Queen of Ancient Egypt, took baths in donkey milk to preserve the beauty and youth of her skin. Legend has it that 700 donkeys to provide the quantity of milk necessary for her daily bath. Donkey milk is still used today in the manufacture of soaps and moisturizers

MEDICAL: Donkey milk was also formerly used in medicine

FOOD & BEVERAGE: Meat: cheap because of its distinctive smell and the fact that eating it could pose serious health risks. Milk: to drink but not much protein and health risk

NOTE: Leviticus 27:11-12 Donkeys are unfit for sacrifice, so if you promise me a donkey, you must bring it to the priest, and let him determine its value.

SYMBOL: considered a symbol of peace and humility - I’ve always thought of them as crazy, wild, useless, and kicking sort of like… Genesis 16:12. He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.

CARRIER OF OUR SAVIOR: carried Jesus and Mary at the beginning of his life just before he was born as they rode into Bethlehem. And now a donkey carries him into Jerusalem just before his death. FYI: But the truth is we do not know if Mary did indeed ride a donkey into Bethlehem....but I like to think so.

God can and desires to use any of us and at any time…. May we be found useful and ready and willing for anything (Matthew 21:20)