Kingless Folk, and Other Addresses on Bible Animals

By John Adams

"Kingless Folk, and Other Addresses on Bible Animals" by John Adams is a biblical book that describes the wonderful nature of animals found in the bible with scriptural backings. The book tends to explain the awesome characteristics possessed by animals uniquely and fascinatingly. The author also tries to relate their nature with humanity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: DigiCat
• Release date: Jun 2, 2022
• ISBN: 8596547041566

John Adams

John J. Adams has been involved in the electronics industry for many years, starting as a young boy building radios and other electronic gadgets from kits. He has written electronics related articles for several magazines and has published 4 books with PROMPT Publications and McGraw-Hill on the subjects of consumer home theater, audio, video, and hobbyist electronics/software.

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John Adams

Kingless Folk, and Other Addresses on Bible Animals

EAN 8596547041566

DigiCat, 2022

Contact: [e-mail]

Table of Contents

Cover

Titlepage

Text

Rev. JOHN ADAMS, B.D., Inverkeilor.

Edinburgh and London:

OLIPHANT, ANDERSON & FERRIER.

1897.

The Ass's Colt.

And Jesus, when He had found a young ass, sat thereon.—John xii. 14.

Two varieties of the ass exist in Bible lands, namely, the domesticated and the wild ass. But whether these are two different kinds, or simply variations of the same species, is not yet a settled question. On the assumption that they are one, it would still be disputed whether the wild ass is to be regarded as an emancipated domestic ass, or the latter a reclaimed wild one. But into the merits of this question we have no call to enter.

We may say at the outset, however, that when speaking of the ass of the Bible, we are dealing with a very different animal from the poor weather-beaten, stunted, and half-starved beast of our commons. The coldness of our climate, and the life of hardship endured by the ass in this country, have, no doubt, operated largely in the decay of the breed. But the Arabian ass is quite different. A well-bred Syrian ass will fetch forty pounds. It is well formed and muscular, well cared for and fed, and is altogether a finer and nobler animal than the spiritless and degraded creature so familiar to us.

Consequently, when we read of Jesus riding upon an ass's colt, there would seem to be some ground for the statement that there was no humility in the case. He rode upon an ass as any prince or ruler would have done who was engaged on a peaceful journey (Wood). In fine, Jesus came riding on the universal saddle animal of the East.

But turning to the ass's colt, I want you to note three things about it.

I.—ITS WILDNESS.

The colt of the wild ass is really the most untamable and intractable of animals. Even when captured very young it can scarcely ever be brought to bear a burden or draw a vehicle. Its wild nature is constantly breaking out, and like the asses which Saul the son of Kish went to seek, it is always in danger of going astray.

Love of freedom and hatred of restraint are its main characteristics, and Zophar the Naamathite reminded Job that something very similar is true of man. "Vain man is void of understanding, yea, man is born as a wild ass's colt" (Job xi. 12).

Of course, there is wildness and wildness. If boys are merely running over with fresh animal spirits, like the young lambs trying to jump over their mother's head, we cannot think there is any great harm in their mirth. It is thus that lungs are exercised and limbs made strong, and the whole body and mind kept healthy and happy. Black care, alas! will leap into the saddle behind them soon enough. And therefore, while the days of youth last, let all the young people run and jump like the wild ass's colt. Buoyancy of fresh young life is not to be regarded as exuberance in sin.

If the wildness, however, is inclined to pass over into what is called a sowing of wild oats, the circumstances are altered. Innocent pleasures are good, but pleasures which are forbidden are quite another thing. And if the young life is in danger of drifting into the latter, the sooner the curb or drag is applied, the better for all concerned. If one could sow his wild oats and then run away and leave them, it wouldn't so much matter; but alas! a