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Born like a Wild Ass’s Colt

From: Christian Treasury: Volume 6

Narrator: Chris Genthree

Job 11:12 • 2 min. read • grade level: 8

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Job 11:12¹²For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt. (Job 11:12)

As the Lord needed the colt on which He rode into Jerusalem, so He needs every sinner. "Not a very complimentary simile to compare us to an ass!" someone may say. We often find that man is compared to animals in the Scriptures. He is compared to a sow for uncleanness (2 Peter 2:22²²But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. (2 Peter 2:22)), to sheep for stupidity (Isa. 53:6⁶All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)), to a dog for an object of contempt (Matt. 15:26²⁶But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. (Matthew 15:26)), and to an ass for wildness and willfulness Gob 11:12). I am, therefore, warranted in using an ass to illustrate the condition the sinner is in, and what the Lord is willing to do for him.

1. IN BONDAGE. As the ass was "tied" (Mark 11:2²And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. (Mark 11:2); Matt. 21:2²Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. (Matthew 21:2)), so is the sinner under the bondage of sin (Gal. 3:22²²But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. (Galatians 3:22); Rom. 6:16¹⁶Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Romans 6:16)).

2. WITHOUT GOD. As the ass was "without" (Mark 11:4⁴And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. (Mark 11:4)), not in a comfortable stable, so the sinner is without God in the world (Eph. 2:12¹²That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (Ephesians 2:12)).

3. PLACE OF DECISION. As the ass was in a place where two ways met (Mark 11:4⁴And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. (Mark 11:4)), so the sinner is where two paths are found in this life-the broad and the narrow way (Matt. 7:13, 14¹³Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: ¹⁴Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13‑14)).

4. USELESS TO GOD AS A SINNER. As the colt had never been ridden on, and therefore had been of no use (Mark 11:2²And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. (Mark 11:2)), so the sinner is useless to God, for they who are in the flesh cannot please God (Rom. 8:8⁸So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:8)).

5. KNOWN BY CHRIST. As the colt was known by Christ before it was brought to Him (Mark 11:2²And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. (Mark 11:2)), and He directed where and how it would be found, so Christ knew us before we knew Him. He gives in detail our natural character in Rom. 3.

6. GRACE OF GOD. As the colt was loosed by a power outside itself (Mark 11:2²And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. (Mark 11:2)), so the grace of God is the only power that can free us from the consequence and control of sin (Eph. 2:5⁵Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (Ephesians 2:5)).

7. POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. As the colt was brought to Christ (Mark 11:7⁷And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. (Mark 11:7)), so the Holy Spirit is the power that leads us to the Lamb of God who takes away our sin (1 Thess. 1:5⁵For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. (1 Thessalonians 1:5)).

8. USED BY CHRIST. As the colt was used by Christ (Mark 11:7⁷And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. (Mark 11:7)), so those who are brought to Christ are used by Him (Col. 1:29²⁹Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. (Colossians 1:29)).

9. NEEDED BY CHRIST. As the colt was needed by Christ (Mark 11:3³And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. (Mark 11:3)), so He needs all His people to carry out His purposes, even as the Head needs the members of the body to accomplish its will (1 Cor. 12:12¹²For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:12)).

F. Marsh

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