Beast of Burden
Beast of Burden: "an animal used for carrying heavy loads or pulling heavy equipment, as a donkey, mule, or ox."
In our modern age of machines, the term "beast of burden" has become disconnected from its origin. We do not work fields with yoked animals or pull carts bearing heavy loads with teams of strong beasts. The term beast of burden has become an idiom implying that someone is being taken advantage of or unfairly used.
However, beasts of burden in their day were today's semi-trucks and train engines. They made the world go around. They carried loads of vegetables to market to support the civilization of cities. They moved the heavy stones and pulled the sleds to create early road systems. They were instrumental in building the ancient structures that still exist and tell us of our history. Beasts of burden were vital to humanity's conquering of the wild frontier.
Our Lord instructs us to cast our burdens on Him, for He cares for us.
Still, it is difficult, if not borderline blasphemous, to compare God Almighty to a beast of burden. The very thought of such comparison roils the conscience and irritates the spirit. How could a person suggest that God, the infinite, all-powerful, all-beautiful, incomprehensible One, would be considered in the same light as a dirty beast used to haul stuff around for humans? That is simply unacceptable.
What if God instructed us to treat Him similarly? How should we view Psalms 55:22 - "Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you"? How about 1 Peter 5:7 - "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you"? One might argue these are not the same as the burdens borne by the beasts. Are they lighter? Are the physical burdens placed on animals heavier than the spiritual, eternal burdens cast on the Lord? How about this one? 1 Peter 2:24 - "He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds, you have been healed." Is carrying the sins of the world - all of our sins - lighter than carrying the burden of a beast. No. I don't think our God bears less of a burden than our beasts ever carried.
Frequency is another characteristic of the Lord's burden that matches that of the animals that carry the burdens of man's advancement. According to David in Psalms 68:19, the Lord carries our burdens "daily." This is exactly like a beast of burden. God calls us to place our burdens upon Him every single day that we live here in this world. He willingly carries our burdens. He happily carries them, knowing that in our weakness, He is strong.
There is, of course, a difference between the burdened ox and God carrying our burdens. The ox must be hauled to the yoke and strapped to the cart. Our God lovingly opens His arms and calls us to bring Him our burdens. Cast them down so He may pick them up and carry them on our behalf. Our God voluntarily becomes a burden carrier. What do you call one who volunteers to carry your burdens? Jesus calls that one "the greatest" among us.