Monday, February 3, 2014

Job In Depth Study 16

Dear Readers,

Today we have another parable. Job 39:5-8 talks about an ass, aka a donkey.

5 Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?

This implies that first of all, there was someone involved, and that the donkey was bound.

6 Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings.

The donkey's home or dwelling or abode God has made in the wilderness and barren or dry empty land.

7 He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.

The donkey has thoughts, hate and mocking of people in the city, where he is not. Nor does he listen or esteem the counsel, or commands of his overseer.

8 The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.

He feeds in the mountains, were people are not, and he is actively looking, indeed searching for every, not just some, but every green thing. That which is good and nourishing.

I think of this parable in two main ways. First is as something we should do, the second as something we should not do


Firstly, we could answer the first question with Christ. He is the one that has freed us from sin and death. God has made us in the world, but not of the world, or not in the city. We dislike the worldly things, though they are nice and easy, we are living a better life, though it may be harder. Nor do we listen to the enticing of those who would make us slaves to our appetites. We are in the high places, and we look for all that is good. Sounds fairly accurate to me.

Secondly, more of the stubborn ass approach. A more sincere question, why would the donkey be loose. Loosed from what bands? Possibly the bands of commandments, or covenants. Loosed from all obligations. So, who looses these bands? The donkey himself. He is the one who chooses whether or not to be bound by his covenants to God. So he is cast out, good for nothing in the kingdom of God. Left with little food, no shelter, and exposed to the buffetings of the elements. Because of this, he hates the righteous, those who are in the city. Nor does he listen to those who try to help, and lead him back. To help him make something of his life. He tries to gain knowledge and nourishment the hard way, in the mountains. Searching after every good thing, or every thing that brings him pleasure, even though it might lead him away from food for life, in his master's house.

Which ass are you going to be?

Make the decision now.

Love,
Elder Smithson

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