Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Larry Buford: When the ‘Jack’ Rides the ‘Jennie’

Politics - Depositphotos
Politics – Depositphotos

*Those of you who know how the terms “ass” and “donkey” are used interchangeably in the Bible (particularly in the King James version) will understand where I am going with this. In donkey-world, Jack=male; Jennie=female. Do you recall the story in the book of Numbers where the prophet Balaam could not see the danger ahead, that the donkey he was riding could see?

It’s a passage of scripture which when preached conjures audience laughter when the donkey refuses to move forward and starts talking to Balaam who continues to whip her in protest of her disobedience – and Balaam [Jack] insistently starts talking back to her [Jennie]! Male chauvinistic talk?

Now, you probably know what it means when someone’s “riding” you. It’s when someone is persecuting you with constant, petty criticism and you respond “get off my back.”

With that in mind, think of what the agents of the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement are doing to our democracy. While the threat of an autocratic government by the former president Donald Trump is looming, they are ignoring the warning signs of the “donkey” – the symbol of the democratic party. No matter what democrats negotiate and set forth to republicans like the border crisis deal, republicans hold fast in rejection like the aforementioned “Jack” riding “Jennie.” They place politics and personal gain over the needs of the people; hindering those who truly want to serve the people righteously and justly.

What will it take for God to open their eyes to see as He did in Balaam’s case?

Politics - Depositphotos
Politics – Depositphotos

Here’s the account of Numbers 22:21-36

[Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the Moabite officials. But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the Lord stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to get it back on the road.

Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So, he beat the donkey again.

Then the angel of the Lord moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat it with his staff. Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?”

Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.”

Politics - Depositphotos
Politics – Depositphotos

The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?”

“No,” he [Balaam] said.

Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So, he bowed low and fell facedown.

The angel of the Lord asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it.”

Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back.”

The angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you.” So, Balaam went with Balak’s officials.

When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite town on the Arnon border, at the edge of his territory. Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why didn’t you come to me? Am I really not able to reward you?”

“Well, I have come to you now,” Balaam replied. “But I can’t say whatever I please. I must speak only what God puts in my mouth.”]

Do you get the connection? Read it for yourself. Who saved the day in this story – the “Jack-ass” or the “Jennie-ass”?

Larry Buford
Larry Buford

Larry Buford is a contributing writer. Author of “Things Are Gettin’ Outta Hand” and “Book To The Future” (Amazon). Email [email protected]

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