Portions of this message were taken from a message by Dr. Neil Chadwick which can be read in its entirety at http://www.webedelic.com/church/donkeyt.htm
Most scripture portions of this message are quoted from the New International Version of the Bible.
Pastor James May
DO YOU HAVE A DONKEY MENTALITY?
Sunday, March 16, 2003 PM
How would it feel to you if you were told that you reminded someone of a donkey? That’s actually what happened to a little known man in the Bible. He was a son Of Jacob named Issachar.
Genesis 49:14-15, "Issachar is a rawboned donkey lying down between two saddlebags. When he sees how good is his resting place and how pleasant is his land, he will bend his shoulder to the burden and submit to forced labor. (NIV)
Genesis 49:14-15, "Issachar is no better than a donkey That lies stretched out between its saddlebags. But he sees that the resting place is good And that the land is delightful. So he bends his back to carry the load And is forced to work as a slave. “ (Good News Bible)
It’s interesting to see that we often assign various human characteristics to different animals. Some animals come out looking good, others don’t.
-When we don’t like someone we might call them a "rat", and when life gets very hectic, we call it a "rat" race.
-When someone is busy they’re as busy as a "bee."
-The "fox" is sly, the "snake" is sneaky and deceptive, and the "owl" is wise.
-Often we hear about "puppy" love, mother "hens", and "bear" hugs; but we live in a "dog-eat-dog" world.
-When you "ape" someone, you’re copying them in a mocking way, perhaps while you are just acting like a "monkey”.
-Everyone knows that the "goose" is silly, and an overweight person is like a beached "whale."
-To be "Catting" is to be bad; but we like things which are soft as a "kitten."
-When someone is as hungry as a "bear", they will probably "wolf" down their food, or perhaps even "pig" out.
-Lawyers after insurance money are called "vultures."
-If you’re quick, you’re like a "bunny"; if you’re not, you’re slow as a "turtle" or a “snail”.
-We all know that "bulls" are clumsy, so we would never take one into the china closet.
-If you’re quiet, you’re like a "mouse"; if you’re stubborn, you’re a "mule"; if you’re strong, you’re like an "ox".
-The "eagle" reminds us of majesty, and "elephants" never forget.
-Some people are as happy as a "lark"; if they sing like a "canary", that’s good, but to sing like a "crow" or a “stool pigeon” isn’t so good.
But right now we’re talking about the "donkey" which most people consider as a dumb, hard headed and stubborn animal.
In the Bible, it seems that the "donkey" was often thought of in a different fashion as we do today because it seems that Issachar didn’t become offended when his father, on his death bed, compared him to one. Perhaps Issachar was just “mule-headed” enough to not let anything bother him anymore.
Donkeys didn’t always take the wrap for being a stubborn animal and there were a few times when their stubbornness actually paid off for them.
Isaiah 1:3 says, “The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, and my people do not understand." (NIV)
In the 22nd Chapter of Numbers there is the story of another donkey who not only saved the life of the prophet who rode upon him but who was able to speak to his rider.
Numbers 22:21-31, “Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. 22 But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat her to get her back on the road. Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between two vineyards, with walls on both sides. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat her again. Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat her with his staff. Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?" Balaam answered the donkey, "You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now." The donkey said to Balaam, "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?" "No," he said. Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.” (NIV)
Just one "donkey" jawbone was used by Samson as a weapon that he used to kill 1,000 Philistine soldiers. (Judges 15:15, 16) I’ve heard some very outspoken Christians say that , "If God can use the donkey’s jaw bone, surely He can use mine too."
Notice also that some of the great events of the Bible, took place in the presence of a "donkey".
The "donkey" was there when Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac. (Genesis 22:3)
The "donkey" was part of the pilgrimage made by the brothers of Joseph to request food from Egypt. (Genesis 42:27)
A "donkey" was with Moses and his small family during their trip back to Egypt to deliver the people from bondage. (Exodus 4:20)
"Donkeys" witnessed the collapse of Jericho’s walls. (Joshua 6:21)
And it was the lowly donkey had the greatest privilege of all - to bear on his back the Son of God at his triumphal entry into Jerusalem just one week before his crucifixion. Why was the donkey so honored - because he was available. On that day the donkey was a picture of humility, and the willingness to perform hard work.
So, Issachar wasn’t embarrassed when his father Jacob likened him to a "donkey".
The tribe of Issachar would be distinguished for their ability and readiness to work hard, even under the undesirable conditions of being under oppression - they would be known for their quiet, patient, and industrious ways but they had a slave mentality and would live under the oppressive hand of their masters.
One thing that we must remember about the donkey though. If the load becomes too heavy, with sacks weighing him down on both sides, the donkey will just sit down, and refuse to go on.
The one thing that I want to bring to your attention about the Tribe of Issachar is this – they were willing to work hard, they were industrious, but when things got too bad and the enemies of Israel invaded the land, they were satisfied to just sit down and let others to the fighting for them.
I sometimes think that we have too many “donkey-minded Issachars” in the church today. There are too many who will work hard at doing nothing, and who are willing to give their tribute money, offerings and pay their tithes but they aren’t willing to get into the fight.
How many Christians do you know who act like Issachar? They are willing to support the church but don’t ask them to get involved in outreach ministries. They simply run back to their comfort zone and let others do the work of reaching out to lost souls.
God didn’t call any of us to be an Issachar! There is nothing wrong with carrying the burden when it’s needed. There is nothing wrong with being content and desiring to live in peace and prosperity. But it is terribly wrong to expect others to do our fighting for us.
God’s Great Commission to tell the whole world about Jesus didn’t excuse any of us. We are all to go out and fight for the salvation of lost souls.
Israel could not have maintained its freedom from slavery for long unless someone stepped up to the front lines of battle. There is a time to plow on the farm but there is a time to step out to the battle too.
Let’s guard against building a “donkey” mentality like Issachar. Don’t allow the heavy burdens of life and the load that you are carrying make you an ineffective soldier for the Lord. Don’t allow the pressing needs of this life to shift your focus from the eternal life to come.
Let’s quit lying around like a beach whale, living like a couch potato, and living as slaves to our comfort. Let’s get out and slay some Philistines and see some souls won to the Kingdom of God. AMEN!
