Donkeys

It can be great fun to follow the story of animals through a passage in the Bible.  One group of animals we can follow and have a bit of a smile with is donkeys.  In the story of Joseph and his brothers coming to Egypt we are let in on some donkey stuff.   First donkey story, Genesis 43.18 Now [Joseph's brothers] were frightened when they were taken to his house. They thought, "We were brought here because of the silver that was put back into our sacks the first time. He wants to attack us and overpower us and seize us as slaves and take our donkeys."  Here's a group of guys who talk about becoming slaves and then are afraid that their donkey's are going to be taken away.  It just makes me chuckle, that these guys are afraid their donkey's are going to be ripped off by one of the richest guys (Joseph) in all of Egypt, as if he is petty warlord who would even notice 10 donkeys.  Second part of the donkey story:  Joseph's brothers are sent on their way back to Canaan and guess what--they get sent on their way with their donkeys, Genesis 44.3 "As morning dawned, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys."  Guess they didn't have to worry so much about donkey loss. For me it's another smile--the author makes sure we see they still have their donkeys. Final part of the donkey story that shows just how silly these brothers are. Joseph has shown himself to his brothers and he sends a gift to his father. What does he send? Donkeys. Genesis 45.23 "And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey." Joseph sends as a gift twice as many donkeys as his brothers had with them.

This donkey story reminds me of something. Joseph is seen as a type of Christ, one who rescues, brings life (he saves many from dying from starvation). When his brothers come face-to-face with him they are worried about what they will lose, what he might take from them. In a very similar way we are also worried about what giving ourselves over to Christ will mean, what will he take from us. But us Joseph's brothers discover what Joseph has to offer so outstrips what they have, that their concerns about what they would lose is truly silly. Here's how John brings the idea to our attention in John 12. 23Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me."