THE DEVIL AND A DONKEY
The Book of
Genesis {Chapters 6 to 8} depicts the story of the ‘Great
Flood’ by which God wiped out the wicked people from the earth. He was pleased
with Noah and so He decided to save him and his family from the flood. God ordered him to build an ark, a large
wooden boat with ample rooms to accommodate and maintain representatives of
every species of terrestrial animals and birds. Noah worked with his wife, his
three sons- Shem, Ham and Japheth and their wives and constructed the huge ark.
Then, following the directions of God, Noah and his sons brought pairs of all
animals near the ark and marched them into the ark.
In a humorous legend, which is
entirely fictitious, a stubborn donkey refused to enter the ark. Noah and his
sons had to drag the adamant animal into the ark, overcoming his stupid resistance.
In one version of the legend, Ham, a son of Noah furiously shouted to the
donkey, “Oh, you devil, come into the
ark” while pulling him with all his might.
The Devil, who was awaiting
an invitation to enter the ark accepted these impulsive words as an invitation
and readily entered the ark. Though the story is entirely fictitious, the Bible
states that Ham later came under the influence of the Devil and was tempted to
treat his father Noah with disrespect. This evil act led to a historic curse. Noah
cursed Ham, the father of Canaan that his descendants would become the slaves
of the descendants of Shem and Japheth {Genesis 9: 25}.
Harsh words, uttered impulsively can have
disastrous consequences. Unkind words may cause deep wounds in the minds of
those who hear them.
The Psalmist prays, “Lord,
place a guard at my mouth, a sentry at the door of my lips” {Psalms 141: 3}. The Book of Proverbs teaches, “Thoughtless
words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal”
{Proverbs 12: 18}; “Be careful what
you say and protect your life. A careless talker destroys himself” {Proverbs 13: 3}.
Jesus warns us, “You
can be sure that on Judgement Day everyone will have to give account of every
useless word he has ever spoken. Your words will be used to judge you – to declare
you either innocent or guilty” {Matthew 12:
36, 37}.
St. James advises, “Remember
this, my dear brothers! Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak and
slow to become angry” {James 1: 19}.
St. Paul says, “Get
rid of all bitterness, passion and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more
hateful feelings of any sort. Instead be kind and tender-hearted to one
another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ”
{Ephesians 4: 31, 32}.
……………………………………………………………………
© By: Prof.
Dr. Babu Philip, Darsana Academy, Kottayam-686001, Kerala, India
( Former Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts
Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India), Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's
College, Kanjirappally, Leo.
S. John, St. Antony's Public School,
Anakkal,
Kanjirappally and Neil John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally
Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.
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