A Donkey Knows Its Master’s
Manger
Isaiah 1:1-3 (NASB)
Rebellion of God’s People
1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning
Judah and Jerusalem, which he saw during the reigns
of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
2 Listen, heavens, and hear, earth;
For the LORD has spoken:
“Sons I have raised and brought up,
But they have revolted against Me.
3 An ox knows its owner,
And a donkey its master’s manger,
But Israel does not know,
My people do not understand.”
Of all the prophetic writings by the Old Testament authors, the
Book of Isaiah is one of the favorites by many people.
Within the book, the birth, life, suffering, sorrow, rejection
and death of Christ were prophesied, described and written in great
details.
The unchanging, unfailing and everlasting love of God is
beautifully illustrated. His grace and mercy will continue to flow
towards His people until they finally repent, and are fully
restored!
Isaiah lived and prophesied through the reigns of four kings of
Judah, namely, Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. What the LORD
showed him, he faithfully wrote and delivered the prophetic messages
to Israel. But the people of God were errant and unfaithful.
Idolatry, disobedience and rebellion against God were widespread.
The prophet Isaiah began his writings by calling heaven and earth
to be witnesses. He was sad that the people of God were found to be
at fault with God.
The LORD said, “I raised My children and helped them grow. But
they have turned against Me. An ox knows its master. And a donkey
knows where the manger is, the place its owner feeds it. But the
people of Israel do not know Me. My people do not understand.”
How sad to hear what God said about His chosen and covenanted
people. They were called, and set apart by God to be a holy people
unto Him.
God had promised to bless them abundantly if they would obey His
voice and honour His name. But they chose to do otherwise, and
followed after pagan and false gods, just like the other nations.
Thus, God spoke against His own people through His prophets. The
good news of the coming kingdom of God. The birth of their Messiah!
Even with all the detailed writings, the people of God failed to
know or understand. Even the ox knew its master. And a donkey knew
where the manger was. These animals knew the place their owner fed
them. How sad it was as the people of God were supposed to be wiser
and smarter than these animals.
They would listen and listen, but they would not understand. They
would look and look, but they would not learn.
But God knows. The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases.
His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great
is His faithfulness. He remains
faithful even when His people are unfaithful. One day, they will
return to the LORD, and repent. Then they will be fully redeemed and
restored!
As Christians, we cannot deny the divine birth or nativity of Christ! If we do so, we will
reject and disregard His divinity. Though in the form of God, Christ
condescended to become a Child. Unto us a Child is born, and unto us
a Son is given. If we reject His divinity, we may also reject and
deny Him eventually.
We must wise up and not follow after the people of the world.
They do not celebrate the divine birth of Christ! They are just
merry-making, having fun and parties. They have not yet know Christ,
and thus will not come to His manger, worship and adore Him. But one
day hopefully, they will
come to their realization and salvation.
Meanwhile, we need to know Christ, increasingly more each day. We
should listen, and understand. We should look, seek and find Him.
Then we can learn of Him and His ways.
John 3:30
He must increase, but I must decrease.
Hopefully, we will become wiser than a donkey.
If interested, please view this song:
All Is Well
Written on:
19 December 2023