THE WHITE DONKEY
Copyright 1997
dangerous. The Romans called the Brotherhood "the Essenes" or "The Expectant Ones." 2) There was unmistakable proof government and religious leaders were taking steps to eliminate the Brotherhood. This small Jewish sect was a thorn in the side of the political and religious leaders. Johanan the
Baptist, an outspoken member of the sect, lost his head because of his
beliefs.
Nothing could dissuade Duors from what she saw as her purpose.
Joshua had proclaimed himself the Son of Man. Johanan the Baptist, even
while in prison, had acknowledged Joshua as the messiah. Now the messiah was going to enter Jerusalem for the feast of Unleaven Bread. 3 The Oracles said the messiah would enter Jerusalem riding on an ass's colt. 4 White donkeys were, by tradition, reserved for royalty. Duors owned an unbroken white donkey. She wanted to offer the white donkey to Joshua for the occasion of his historic entry into Jerusalem. Even the risk of death would not dissuade Duors. She wanted to be a part of the prophesies proclaiming the coming of the messiah.
"Duors," Naomi admonished, "Yahweh will provide his own donkey,
just as He provided the lamb for Abraham. You do not have to risk your life
to help Joshua. Besides, you must not interfere with the prophesies. It is
bad luck."
"Naomi, my friend, you are a good Jew, but sometimes you try my
patience. God works through people. The Prophets foresaw that someone would provide the messiah with a white donkey for his entrance into Jerusalem. Why not me? It is written in scripture the messiah will enter Jerusalem on a colt's ass. What, you expect Yahweh will have a donkey appear out of nowhere?"
"Go then," Naomi said. " Offer your white donkey to Joshua. See he
will refuse it because God will provide the animal."
"Let us go together then, my friend, so we will both know the
truth."
The following morning the two women left their home to seek the
master and his disciples. They found Joshua in Jericho talking with the
twelve. Philip saw the women coming toward Joshua and not wanting them to disturb the master, stopped them, and asked why the women wanted an audience with Joshua. Andrew stepped over to help. Duors explained she had an unbroken white donkey. She reminded Philip and Andrew, the scriptures prophesied the messiah would enter Jerusalem on a colt's ass. Joshua is the messiah, so the donkey should be an animal suitable for royalty, a white donkey. 5 Since she, Duors, owned a white donkey suitable for the occasion, the question of where the donkey would come from was settled Joshua should use her white donkey. She assured Philip and Andrew that she knew of no other unbroken white donkey in or around Jerusalem. Naomi, still not satisfied that people should intervene to fulfill the prophesy, told Philip and Andrew she did not think Joshua should accept her friend's donkey.
Joshua, standing nearby, knew the topic of the conversation among them
before it began. He had been expecting Duors. Before his disciples could
speak Joshua signaled them, with a waive of his hand, to be silent. "You are
right Naomi," he assured her, "my Father will provide his own donkey. He has used Duors as an instrument to fulfill prophesy. Duors, you are blessed
among women for my Father has smiled upon you. I thank you for your
dedication and courage. In the morning I will send two men to fetch the
white donkey. Please tie the donkey to the post in front of your home. Tell
no one of our conversation. You will know I have sent the men because they
will say ‘The Lord has need of it.'"6 Having settled the argument Joshua
blessed the women, kissed Duors on the cheek, and sent them home to make
preparations. Joshua knew both women would bathe and groom the animal
without being told.
Duors felt like she was walking on air. She was to be part of
history. She was elated. She was to be an instrument in fulfilling prophesy.
Naomi felt justified too. She has said God would provide His own donkey just as He had provided the lamb. She had only miscalculated the manner in which God would fulfill prophesy.