Donkeys: A Mainstay of Scriptural References to Animals
Animals are important to God and He begins the Bible by telling us they’re HIS animals. Imagine the unquelled loneliness so many would experience without their pets!
Donkeys are a consistent reminder of God’s provision of assistive animals dedicated to being used by people for a variety of tasks.
Born in a manger, Jesus’ entrance into the world was in a stable, where the animals surrounded them.
Considered humble and kind ‘beasts of burden’, even Jesus — at the height of his popularity! — famously rode a ‘lowly donkey’ into Jerusalem, when he knew all eyes would be upon Him.
The donkey’s disposition — kind, humble, peaceful — precipitated His ministry and, ultimately, His death — as the Lamb of God ‘who takes away the sin of the world’.
When He returns, He will ride a white horse — again, showing the attention and appreciation for animals and their place in this world.
Just because humans forget what a blessing these special animals are to us, He never does. Scripture serves as a constant reminder to look about us, note and consider the lives of the beasts of the field by whom we are provided so much.