When Animals become More Intelligent than Humans

Daily Devotional – Friday, January 15, 2021

The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manager, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand

Isaiah 1:3 (NIV)

I spent some years working among nomadic pastoralists and learnt a vital lesson. Every evening, when the village herdsmen brought back goats and sheep from the pasture, each animal would return to its respective home. No animal forgot where it came from.

That is why I find God’s message through Isaiah familiar. From the onset, God makes it clear that unlike the ox and the donkey, who know their owner’s homes, Israelites have lost the way. They are not familiar with their Creator.

Some commentators assert that the ox and the donkey are considered to be of lower intelligence among domestic animals. This makes the comparison more graphic and powerful. How can a human being be less intelligent than the most ‘stupid’ animals?

Jeremiah stretches the comparison further by using wild birds. “Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration. But my people do not know the requirements of the Lord.” Jeremiah 8:7 (NIV).

The message is clear: God’s people have forsaken His ways. Animals are better by far.

Contemporary Christians are not different. There is a general decline in love, compassion and kindness among Christ’s followers. We have abandoned our first love (See Revelation 2:4). Open sin among Christians is condoned and silently celebrated.

However, even when angry, God still calls the Israelites “my people” in both verses. It is comforting to note that God still offers His people a chance to reform and return to Him.

Do you know your God personally? Do you have an active personal relationship with Him? Is Jesus only your Saviour or He is also your Lord, whom you obey? Your name may be in your local church’s register, but is it in the Book of Life?

Return to Him today. He will forgive you. He will restore you. He is a compassionate and loving God.

Remember, next time you come across a domestic or wild animal, know that it is more intelligent than you if you do not have a personal relationship with God.

Prayer

Almighty God, please reveal yourself to me. I want to know you in person. I want you to be my Saviour and Lord. Amen.