The Ox, The Donkey & Thanksgiving

THE OX, THE DONKEY & THANKSGIVING

Isa. 1:3

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. Growing up, we called one set of grandparents Big Mama & Big Daddy. No one thought much of it until one of the grandkids told them they were soon to be great-grandparents.

2. That’s when Big Mamma decided to change her name, because she didn’t want to be known as “Great Big Mamma!”

B. TEXT

“The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger,

but Israel does not know, my people do not understand” Isa. 1:3, NIV.

C. THESIS

1. This verse has been recognized by many readers of Scripture as a commentary by God about how God’s people aren’t thankful of the manifold blessings that God gives us.

2. So this Thanksgiving I want us to take a close look at these animals and determine we’re not going to give God less credit than they do.

3. The title of this message is “The Ox, Donkey, & Thanksgiving.”

I. HISTORY & TRAITS OF OXEN/DONKEYS

Q – Have any of you ever worked with “draft” animals such as oxen or donkeys? Probably not, so it might be good to take a moment to describe them.

A. HISTORY & USE OF OXEN

1. An ox is a male bovine (bull) trained and used as a draft animal. Oxen are commonly castrated for docility. Historians think humans have harnessed oxen since around 4000 BC.

2. Oxen are used for plowing, for transport (pulling carts/ wagons), for powering machines that grind grain and for powering irrigation lifts, etc. Oxen are also used to drag logs in forests.

3. Oxen are taught to respond to the signals of the teamster or ox-driver. These signals are given by verbal command and body language, reinforced by a goad, whip or a long pole.

4. Example of Verbal commands: “Back” - back up; “Gee” - turn to the right; “Giddyup” – go; “Haw” - turn to the left; “Whoa” - stop.

5. Oxen can pull heavier loads, and for a longer periods than horses. However, on the whole, oxen are slower than horses.

B. DONKEY’S HISTORY & USES

1. The domestic donkey is a hoofed mammal of the same family as the horse. It is known to be domesticated in Africa approx. 5,000–7,000 years ago. After human labor, the donkey is the cheapest form of agricultural power.

2. There are more than 40 million donkeys in the world, mostly used as draft or pack animals. Donkeys have a notorious reputation for their stubbornness, but this is because they exhibit a much stronger sense of self-preservation than horses.

3. It’s considerably more difficult to force or frighten a donkey into doing something it perceives to be dangerous. Donkeys are easily identified by their “bray,” which usually sounds like "hee-haw."

II. GOD’S SHOCKING COMPARISON!

A. CHARACTER TRAITS OF THESE ANIMALS

1. The ox and donkey are well-known for some specific traits. I’ve many times heard people referred to as “dumb as an ox.” The term, “dumb ox,” is a description of a person who’s large in size but behaves stupidly.

2. The other common expression is “as stubborn as a donkey.” Donkeys will stubbornly refuse to do things, even if they’re beaten (you remember Balaam & his donkey in the Bible, Num. 22:23-27).

3. Yet in Isaiah 1:3, God gives both of them a compliment: “The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger.” The ox instinctively knows who the boss is and the donkey knows who’s providing its food.

B. THE OX & ASS MORE NOBLE THAN US?

1. But then God goes on to compare the ox and donkey to His own people and to say that WE are more base, more brutish than these dumb beasts!

2. God says, “The ox knows his owner” – knows his voice, when he calls him; he follows him where his owner leads – into the pasture to plow or to pull heavy loads. Yet man, with far more intelligence, doesn’t recognize his Creator.

3. God says the donkey knows who is providing his food, but humans are ignorant of God’s care and provision. It’s amazing that the donkey’s ‘bray’ & the ox’s ‘low’ is a more fitting “thank you” than most of us give to God!

4. Surely if a brute beast is aware of his Creator, aren’t we? Yes, we are. There really is no excuse for our not giving God the thanks He deserves.

C. ILLUS.: “DUMBER THAN THE ANIMALS”

1. One year when Christmas Day came on a Sunday, a farmer decided to go to church. (Like some people, he thought he was fulfilling his religious obligation by going to church twice a year-at Christmas and Easter!)

2. The sermon that day was preached from Isa. 1:3, "The ox knows his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doesn’t know, my people don’t consider." Isaiah is saying that man is dumber than the animals.