The Donkey Affairs

The Donkey Affair

The Superstition:

It’s a prevalent belief of some in India, that, if one looks  at the face of a donkey or if donkeys cross their path, luck will knock at their doors. But for me it did not work out well. But it did not work out well for me on the day. Molly and I just started our ministry with nothing and the Lord raised one friend to support our family infrequently with a small support. My cousin and I went 65 kilometers one way; when the donkeys crossed our Scooter on the high way. My jubilant cousin predicted that it was going to a lucky day. On reaching the bank we found out that the employees were on strike and we had return with empty pocket, stomach and half dead.

The Lostness leads to LOTNESS:

But for one Young man in the name of SAUL (I.Samuel.9) the Donkey affair brought him immense luck. One day his father lost all his donkeys. The creator says,”  The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. (Isa.1:3)Here, the donkeys of Mr. Kish never returned. All of them communicated with each other that they should not go back to their master and serve but to be free and be on their own. Many of us disassociate with the creator and God and go disappearing. For Some the reason is this:…”Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?(Jn.6:60) From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.(Jn.6:66) 

It Takes a Donkey to bear heavy Loads.

Mr. Kish deputes his extraordinary, the most beautiful, handsome, tall and well built son- for the scripture tells that there was no such personality in Benjaminite tribe—and one of his servant in search of the lost Donkeys. The donkeys are needed for the Master because, “ONLY THEY CAN BEAR THE LOADS OF HEAVEN”. May be this is the reason, why “The king of the Jews” JESUS CHRIST, the son of God rode on the back of a mule on the days of triumphant entry. And finally He laid on Himself the sins of the whole world and died on the cross to bring forgiveness and salvation for the whole world.

Are You in a “Wilderness Experience”? You joined the  extraordinary club:

Saul the young man and his servant wandered in hills and valleys and for many days searching for the lost donkeys and found them not. Their food stock and silver were all spent. Saul decides to give up the search and return. Many of us desperately want to give up our mission and admit failure. My friend, Abraham, Moses, Elijah, David, Jesus and others went through the same experience. Jesus cried out in Gethsemane that the cup be removed from his hands. But wait! All of them came out glorious and elevated to esteemed positions and possessions.

Go with a Servant, A Guide and a Good Counselor:

Try Supernatural Encounters:

Saul’s servant –like the Holy Spirit Ministry—suggested to Saul, that they go to Samuel, the seer the man of God. And he witnessed that whatever this man said came to pass. He further suggested that this man will tell them where the donkeys can be found.  The Companion –The Holy Spirit—know the mind and heart of God, than any one on this planet earth. seemed to have been spiritual than Saul.  The servant suggests a Spiritual encounter. We do not how to ask or what to ask, but it is the “Paraclete “ in us “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.(Ro.8:26-27).

Seek the Right Spiritual consultation:

Samuel’s reputation is well known even to a servant. “A Man of God”, “A Seer”, “Anything he tells comes to pass.” He was both a prophet and a judge to the people of Israel.  But the people of Israel were asking for a KING, to rule over them like their neighbors. It grieved the heart of God and the heart of Samuel. But Samuel stayed with God and was willing to ordain a king and  was willing to share his power. What is our testimony? How are  we known in our communities? Are we known as His worthy vessels and an answer to people’s desperate needs.

Like a child is taught from kindergarten to PhD, the Lord seeks after raw material statues person who feels unworthy and pack him full with His divine person and the Lord sometimes never uses modern, “all knowing “personalities. Saul told his servant that something had to be offered to the Prophet, not because he would predict or not predict where the donkeys were, but because, Samuel was a prophet of the living God. He knew from his instinct that the man of God should be honoured. MANY GET WILD,WHEN IT COMES TO GIVING TO GOD AND HIS WORTHY SERVANTS. They call them beggars and go on accusing and abusing. Saul honoured the prophet and the Lord rewarded Saul, the world cannot uphold. He sowed the seed from his bare necessity and harvested glorious things. 

Humility precedes Exaltation:

The Lord instructed prophet Samuel invited Saul to eat with him the high place. What        a privilege was it for Saul? We read how Saul Reacted to this,” Saul answered, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?(1.Sam.9:21) He confessed his unworthiness. However Samuel made Saul to sit above the 30 distinguished guests. It was unbelievable to the servant who made this possible. The Holy Spirit Of God our Counselor would elevate us to promotions we would have never dreamt in our wildest dreams. Servants these days will envy and be filled with jealousy.  

Once Samuel was aware that the living God is dealing with Saul for leadership, he treated Saul in due respect. In today’s spiritual world, many leaders do not treat co-workers of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many are proud of Intellectual Superiority. Others are filled with national, skin colour and cultural superiority. Others are proud their Spiritual authority, doctrinal clarity, leadership and virtues.

Physical Needs met Before Spiritual empowerment Bestowed.:

There are still people who believe, argue and preach against the Lord providing our physical needs. Instead of putting the bullocks before the cot, they put them behind the cart and how will a cart move onward? The creator God, created every thing man needed to eat and to drink, before he created man on earth. Fruits, grains, fish and meat and every thing we need. When the Lord delivered the People of Israel from Egypt, he promised them a land filled with milk and honey. He provided their needs and then gave them the law, the tabernacle and laws of sacrifice. Jesus Christ followed the same pattern. He went about doing good and preached the kingdom gospel. He fed the multitude and healed many sickness. ONE SHOULD PREACH THE RIGHT GOSPEL AS IT IS. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’(Mat.7:21-23)

But the Lord  also will say to some, “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me(Mt.25:34-40)

Saul, knew that this young man was totally exhausted and hungry and so he had already arranged with his cook to cook the choicest meat piece,  Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the hall and seated them at the head of those who were invited—about thirty in number. ²³ Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the piece of meat I gave you, the one I told you to lay aside.”

²⁴ So the cook took up the thigh with what was on it and set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, “Here is what has been kept for you. Eat, because it was set aside for you for this occasion from the time I said, ‘I have invited guests.’” And Saul dined with Samuel that day. Samuel let Saul to rest that night.

Saul’s’ Destiny and Missions Revealed. (I-sam.10:1-2)

And on the next day, Samuel Called up Saul and came with him till the end of the city and Samuel anointed Saul as the “KING OVER ISRAEL”.

Prophet Samuel gave him 3 significant signs:

·         On his way back home at the borders of his land, he will meet 2 men at the site of Rachel’s tomb who will declare to him that the donkeys of his father had returned. Here Rachel gave birth to Benjamin but died. Thus Benjamin was orphaned from day number one. When God Chooses an Individual for His mission one should have to deny their families some times.

·         Samuel also predicted to them that on reaching the oaks of Tabor 3 men who were on a pilgrimage to Bethel will meet and greet him. The 1st one carried 3 sheep for sacrifice. And the second man carried 3 loaves of bread. Finally the 3rd person carried a skin-bottle wine. Saul should accept the 2 loaves offered to him for his further journey. The spiritual Implication is that Saul had  no bread with him when he went  to  meet Samuel. And now he received the bread for his onward journey miraculously.  Yes, The Lord provided us the “Bread From Heaven”.

·         Samuel also told Saul, that on reaching Gibeath- Elohim, where the garrison was, the prophets of the lord will meet him, with harp, tambourine, flute and lyre, prophesying . When this happens, The Spirit of the Lord will RUSH upon him and that he shall also prophesy.

It was God’s rewards for Saul when He choose Saul to rule over his people. The Lord knew that Saul needed the guidance of the Holy Spirit and His discernment to rule His people. This is a prerequisite for everyone. We also read here the way how the Holy Spirit fills a person. It was when they used various kinds of Musical Instruments and sang and worshiped. And the Holy Spirit came rushing, just like in Acts2.

Saul‘s hard journey, in search of lost donkeys brought him fortunes beyond no one ever thought or imagined. God has a very high plan and purpose, behind our journeys through hills and deserts. It is to elevate us to His best plans and use.

Rev.Dass.T