Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder? Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grassIn this phrase, Job uses the imagery of a wild donkey to illustrate a point about contentment and complaint. The wild donkey, known for its independence and resilience in the harsh desert environment, does not bray when it has sufficient food. This suggests that complaints arise from unmet needs or suffering. In biblical times, the wild donkey was a symbol of freedom and untamed nature ( Genesis 16:12). Job's use of this metaphor highlights his own situation of distress and unmet needs, contrasting his current suffering with a time when he was content and at peace. or an ox low over its fodder?
The ox, a domesticated animal, represents strength and service in agricultural societies. When an ox has its fodder, it is satisfied and does not low. This imagery reinforces the idea that complaints are a response to deprivation or discomfort. In the broader biblical context, oxen were often used in sacrifices and as symbols of labor and provision (Deuteronomy 25:4, 1 Corinthians 9:9). Job's comparison underscores his argument that his cries are justified due to his severe afflictions, much like an ox would only low if deprived of its necessary sustenance. This reflects Job's deep sense of injustice and his plea for understanding from his friends and from God. Persons / Places / Events 1. JobThe central figure in the Book of Job, a man described as blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil. He undergoes severe trials and suffering, which lead him to question and seek understanding of his circumstances. 2. Eliphaz, Bildad, and ZopharJob's three friends who come to comfort him but end up engaging in a series of dialogues with him, often offering traditional wisdom that Job finds unsatisfactory. 3. UzThe land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel, possibly in Edom or northern Arabia. 4. GodThe ultimate authority and sovereign being in the account, who allows Job's testing and later responds to Job's questions. 5. SatanThe adversary who challenges Job's integrity, suggesting that Job is faithful only because of his prosperity and protection from God. Teaching Points Understanding ContentmentJob uses the imagery of animals to illustrate that dissatisfaction arises from unmet needs. In our lives, recognizing the source of our discontent can help us address it appropriately. The Nature of ComplaintsJust as animals do not make noise when they are satisfied, our complaints often stem from deeper issues of unmet needs or desires. Identifying these can lead to more constructive responses. Trust in God's ProvisionThe natural order, where animals are content when their needs are met, reflects God's provision. Trusting in God's care can bring peace even in times of lack. The Role of Friends in SufferingJob's friends fail to understand his plight, offering simplistic solutions. This teaches us the importance of empathy and listening in supporting others. Spiritual Hunger and SatisfactionJust as physical hunger leads to noise, spiritual hunger can lead to restlessness. Seeking fulfillment in God can bring true satisfaction. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of animals in Job 6:5 help us understand Job's emotional state and his response to his friends' counsel? 2. In what ways can we identify the "fresh grass" or "fodder" in our lives that might lead to contentment and reduce our complaints? 3. How can the principle of God's provision, as seen in nature, encourage us in times of personal need or lack? 4. Reflect on a time when you, like Job, felt misunderstood by friends or family. How can Job's experience guide you in responding to such situations? 5. How do other scriptures, such as those in Psalms or Proverbs, reinforce the message of contentment and trust in God's provision found in Job 6:5? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 104:14This verse speaks of God providing grass for the cattle, which connects to the imagery of animals being satisfied with their food, as in Job 6:5. Proverbs 27:7This proverb discusses how a satisfied soul loathes honey, while to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet, paralleling the idea of contentment and need expressed in Job 6:5. Matthew 6:26Jesus speaks of the birds of the air being provided for by God, which relates to the theme of God's provision and the natural order seen in Job 6:5. People Job, TemaPlaces Sheba, Tema, UzTopics Ass, Bellow, Bray, Brayeth, Donkey, Fields, Fodder, Grass, Low, Loweth, Ox, Provender, Sounds, Tender, Voice, WildDictionary of Bible Themes Job 6:5 4460 grass
4633 donkey Job 6:1-13 5945 self-pity Library July 12 Evening
Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.--HEB. 10:24. How forcible are right words!--I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance. They that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.--If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily PathOf Sufferings
Of Sufferings Be patient under all the sufferings which God is pleased to send you: if your love to Him be pure, you will not seek Him less on Calvary, than on Tabor; and, surely, He should be as much loved on that as on this, since it was on Calvary He made the greater display of His Love for you. Be not like those, who give themselves to Him at one season, and withdraw from Him at another: they give themselves only to be caressed; and wrest themselves back again, when they come to be crucified, …
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer "Now the God of Hope Fill You with all Joy and Peace in Believing," &C.
Rom. xv. 13.--"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing," &c. It is usual for the Lord in his word to turn his precepts unto promises, which shows us, that the commandments of God do not so much import an ability in us, or suppose strength to fulfil them, as declare that obligation which lies upon us, and his purpose and intention to accomplish in some, what he requires of all: and therefore we should accordingly convert all his precepts unto prayers, seeing he hath made …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning "Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." Christ hath left us his peace, as the great and comprehensive legacy, "My peace I leave you," John xiv. 27. And this was not peace in the world that he enjoyed; you know what his life was, a continual warfare; but a peace above the world, that passeth understanding. "In the world you shall have trouble, but in me you shall have peace," saith Christ,--a peace that shall make trouble …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Holiness of God
The next attribute is God's holiness. Exod 15:51. Glorious in holiness.' Holiness is the most sparkling jewel of his crown; it is the name by which God is known. Psa 111:1. Holy and reverend is his name.' He is the holy One.' Job 6:60. Seraphims cry, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory.' Isa 6:6. His power makes him mighty, his holiness makes him glorious. God's holiness consists in his perfect love of righteousness, and abhorrence of evil. Of purer eyes than …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Sinner Stripped of his Vain Pleas.
1, 2. The vanity of those pleas which sinners may secretly confide in, is so apparent that they will be ashamed at last to mention them before God.--3. Such as, that they descended from pious us parents.--4. That they had attended to the speculative part of religion.--5. That they had entertained sound notion..--6, 7. That they had expressed a zealous regard to religion, and attended the outward forms of worship with those they apprehended the purest churches.--8. That they had been free from gross …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul Joy
'The fruit of the Spirit is joy.' Gal 5:52. The third fruit of justification, adoption, and sanctification, is joy in the Holy Ghost. Joy is setting the soul upon the top of a pinnacle - it is the cream of the sincere milk of the word. Spiritual joy is a sweet and delightful passion, arising from the apprehension and feeling of some good, whereby the soul is supported under present troubles, and fenced against future fear. I. It is a delightful passion. It is contrary to sorrow, which is a perturbation …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity A Solemn Address to those who Will not be Persuaded to Fall in with the Design of the Gospel.
1. Universal success not to be expected.--2-4. Yet, as unwilling absolutely to give up any, the author addresses thou who doubt the truth of Christianity, urging an inquiry into its evidences, and directing to prayer methods for that purpose.--5 Those who determine to give it up without further examination.--6. And presume to set themselves to oppose it.--7, 8. Those who speculatively assent to Christianity as true, and yet will sit down without any practical regard to its most important and acknowledged …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul "And we all do Fade as a Leaf, and Our Iniquities, Like the Wind, have Taken us Away. "
Isaiah lxiv. 6.--"And we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Here they join the punishment with the deserving cause, their uncleanness and their iniquities, and so take it upon them, and subscribe to the righteousness of God's dealing. We would say this much in general--First, Nobody needeth to quarrel God for his dealing. He will always be justified when he is judged. If the Lord deal more sharply with you than with others, you may judge there is a difference …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Job 6:5 NIVJob 6:5 NLTJob 6:5 ESVJob 6:5 NASBJob 6:5 KJV
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