Carson Valley Bible Church

Genesis 33 takes us to one of the biblical reconciliations. Pastor Luke shows us two ways:

1. The beauty of reconciliation:

The text records the ways Jacob thought seeing his brother after 20 years would go. We can't imagine what he was thinking when he saw Esau and 400 men behind him, coming to greet him. What he didn't expect, was the way Esau reacted. He ran. He embraced him. He fell on him and kissed him. They wept. What a beautiful picture of grace and mercy - and reconciliation! It's much like Jacob seeing the face of God at the end of chapter 32:30.Pastor Luke points out this passage of scripture is similar to another passage that Jesus tells about a man that has 2 sons. One son leaves with his inheritance, squanders it all, and eventually comes back to make atonement - much like Jacob. This prodigal son also doesn't expect the way he is greeted. His father runs to meet him, embraces him and produces the biggest feast ever.

2. The greater reconciliation:

Being our reconciliation to our Savior, Jesus Christ, found in 2 Corinthians 5:18-22

In verse 20, we see that Jacob makes an altar to honor the place that he purchased from the sons of Hamor. He called it El-Elohe-Israel. This spot is unique, as Jacob knew. It was the same spot that Abraham erected an altar - Genesis 12:7.

Then we were asked a question. Do we have anything nowdays that compares to the altars of Genesis?

Pastor Luke provides the answers - and we celebrated one of these at the end of the service!

Listen for yourself:

Vimeo Channel https://vimeo.com/811811851

Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4waDlY2Dsm7R7JYLcz9i9U?si=72fc248f2ead4ae9

He did not ride a big, beautiful, valiant horse. He rode a donkey. And most likely smaller than some of the wild burros we see in the desert.

It was a special donkey (or colt), though.

For no one had ever sat on it.

Why is that special?

Let's look at Matthew 21:1-11 and find out why. Before we do, Mark and Luke also record this story. But interestingly, Matthew tells it a bit different. He records “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me." Mark and Luke say there was only 'a donkey'.

As I think of the differences between the stories, I'm thankful that Matthew was more specific, like a tax collector would be, throughout his Gospel account. So, taking both the mother donkey and the colt, the two disciples chosen for this task took them both to Jesus. We're not told who these disciples were, but perhaps one was Matthew.

There are multiple writings out there about these donkeys, even a children's book by R.C. Sproul called 'The Donkey who carried the King." A great story, I might add.

Even so, my perspective on these donkeys come from a horsemen viewpoint (you might have guessed!). Before I dig into that, I have to recognize a few things;

1. Donkeys in that culture were work animals. They were used to carry supplies, people, they were sure-footed and steady - reliable. It's said they were beasts of burden. They could eat just about anything and did not require mass amounts of water. They are hardy, desert animals.

What they were not, was considered symbols of wealth, unless there were many, and as such, a herd was considered an asset (Jacob giving many donkeys as a peace offering to his brother Esau, etc.)

2. Horses in this culture were used for war. For chariots, for traveling distances fast, to gain leverage, strength and height to intimidate foes. Egypt was known for having many horses and chariots. In fact, in Deuteronomy 17:16, God even tells Israel not to go and collect horses for themselves. They ended up with another equine, the donkey. God knew what they needed - and supplied it. He had a plan.

So, when the disciples went to find the animals, tied up near the gate, like Jesus said, they found two. This way, they could each lead one, but together. We're not told if this colt had ever been separated from the donkey mother, and perhaps that was the reason Jesus sent two to get them.

In any case, we see in the next verses of Matthew, the donkeys were taken back, and there were many cloaks put upon them (v. 6-10). Then look what happens - as predicted back in Zechariah 9:9, who says "Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

"The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them.They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and He sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?”And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Even in those times, donkeys were commonplace in the streets. But now, a colt - that had never been sat on - was being ridden by the Messiah, through and over branches, leaves, cloaks, many foreign objects that were not commonplace on the roads. This would make the colt's journey even more significant - and difficult due to the footing.

The crowds too - before, beside, following after this colt - were shouting! They also must've entered Jerusalem through the gates, with people on top, and all around, and we're told the whole city was stirred up. What a sight!

Be that as it may, this colt most definitely had never seen, nor heard, anything like this. In all my years of equine training (including police horses), there is zero chance an equine (I've had donkeys too) that has never been ridden or trained, would be able to carry anyone/anything through something like that, much less be willing to go through it!

It only took the touch of Jesus.

He had that effect on not only humans of his time - but animals as well. It's quite a thought, isn't it?

With my work using the equines for mental health, I have seen these equines do things that are unexplainable. I think of two sessions, one where a couple that came for christian counseling identified the horse as being Jesus and doing a miracle that intervened in their marriage, to a vietnam combat vet, whose definition of success was only to be able to touch the burro's face just once, during his 6 sessions.

It's the touch of Jesus - which can come from many different avenues in our lives.

He was born in a barn. He came into Jerusalem, on the last week of his 33 year old earthly life, on a donkey.

Now sitting on His throne, at the right hand of God.

He will come again - but this time, it will be on a white horse (Rev 19:11-16) appearing through the clouds.

And I can't wait! I hope you can't either!

Hosanna, in the Highest!

Till He comes again,

Julie

"Hosanna" Paul Baloche: https://youtu.be/cH5pVnP4ZGQ

image : "Chance" at dusk - Julie Baker

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