Dear Donkey,
In my lifetime, donkeys have been on the ‘wrong end’ of the animal kingdom. Donkeys have developed a reputation for being stubborn and uncontrollable. As a donkey, I am ready to set the record straight.
However, donkeys have excellent memories, which makes us great problem solvers. We are cautious before we act. We adapt to different environments while keeping strong social bonds with our donkey families and caregivers.
In the movie Shrek, Donkey is depicted as a sarcastic loudmouth – “I’m a donkey on the edge,”
And when Donkey was hurt by his best friend Shrek, he burst into tears saying:
“I’m all alone … There’s no one here beside me.” Donkeys express joy and excitement through their voices, which may sound like screams or brays. We do this when greeting friends or family who care for us. Some say it sounds like a HEE-HAW. The Bible portrays a different picture of donkeys – one that is peaceful, dependable, strong and intelligent.
Donkeys are used in other Biblical narratives, often symbolizing humility, service, and sometimes stubbornness – a metaphor to describe human behavior.
Donkeys have been used to transport hay and other dry goods. Additionally, they have been a means of human transportation (like the horse), which preceded the bicycle and later the automobile.
Miniature donkeys (pictured below) are a distinct breed, which originates in Italy. They even have crosses on their back. Donkey genealogy shows us to be descendants of the donkey Jesus rode on Palm Sunday when He made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Jesus knew where the donkey would be when he sent two of his disciples into a village to untie the donkey (colt). He said in Mark 11:1-2 “you will find a colt tied up, who has never been ridden.”
In Matthew 21, we are told that Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey fulfilled a prophecy in Zechariah 9:9 demonstrating Jesus’ humble and peaceful nature. His donkey also enjoyed the quiet and patient personality of Jesus who knew he liked scratches on his neck and back. The event is called Palm Sunday, because children and women were waving palm branches to hail Jesus as the Messiah. His arrival on a donkey is a symbol of unity and peace – in contrast to riding a war horse to overthrow the Roman government. The Jewish people wanted Jesus as Messiah to declare war on the Romans and free them from an oppressive life of high taxes and Roman authority in their land. Jesus had another plan – a better plan – one of peace and salvation for the world through his death on a cross and resurrection three days later.
John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world, that He gave his one and only Son – that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
After Jesus died, some reported seeing a donkey wandering outside the synagogue looking for his Master.
Donkeys are mentioned in other Biblical passages, often in a practical or symbolic way. One of my favorite stories in the Bible is found in Numbers 22:21-34 It is a story about a donkey and his owner Balaam. The pair travels to see the Israelites and give them a message from the King of Moab; whose intent was to curse the people occupying the land next to his kingdom and defeat them. During the journey, Balaam becomes frustrated with his donkey for pressing close to the
wall and crushing his foot against it. Each time the donkey does this, he is whipped. We learn Balaam’s donkey sees the Angel of the Lord holding a sword, but Balaam was not able to see him. Since donkeys have problem solving skills, it makes sense that he was trying to get away from the angel warrior. God then opens the mouth of the donkey to say: “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times? Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?” Then at once, Balaam’s eyes were opened.
He fell on his face and repented for his foolishness and disobedience to God. Balaam then altered his mission from one of cursing the Israelites to blessing them, according to God’s instructions. This wasn’t the only story in the Bible where an animal talked to a human, but the significance was that God showed compassion on the donkey who was being mistreated by his owner (Balaam) and gave him speech. Ultimately, God uses the donkey to teach Balaam a lesson about discretion and discernment when it involves using our speech for good or evil.
For only God is able to discern the heart of a person (or people) as it relates to their actions or outcomes. Therefore, He alone is best able to decide who should be cursed and who should be blessed. Proverbs 2:6 says: “All wisdom comes from the Lord, and so do common sense and understanding.”