Jeremiah 2:24

Israel was also like "a wild donkey" that followed the scent that appealed to it, rather than following its master. Like a wild female donkey in heat, Israel had done things that were unnatural (cf. Genesis 16:12; Job 11:12). Enemies pursued Israel and found her, just like male donkeys find female donkeys that are in heat.

"She [the female donkey] sniffs the path in front of her trying to pick up the scent of a male (from his urine). Then she races down the road in search of the male. One Arab proverb runs, ’She is intoxicated with the urine of the male.’ Under such circumstances the males need not weary themselves chasing the she-ass, because she is bent on chasing them." [Note: Thompson, p. 179.]

The camel illustrates unreliability, and the donkey lust-based passion, in this instance. [Note: See K. E. Bailey and W. L. Holladay, "The ’Young Camel’ and ’Wild Ass’ in Jeremiah 2:23-25," Vetus Testamentum 18 (1968):256-60.] The people had worn out their sandals and fainted from thirst in their pursuit of idols.