"If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help him with it." Exodus 23:5

The lands of Bible times were rough. An overburdened animal could easily fall onto the ground. If the load he was carrying fell on top of him it would be difficult, if not impossible, for him to extricate himself without help, especially if he fell into a hollow or among stones.

The intention of the law was that even if the owner of the animal was already trying to free it, you were to help him do so, even if the owner was someone you hated. The mercy you were showing was not toward the owner but to the animal. It was not God's way that you leave the animal to die under its burden because of your hate for its owner.

With this in mind, the parable of the Good Samaritan becomes more poignant (Lk.10:31-32). It shows that by their laws the priest and the Levite treated a fellow human with less regard than they would have an enemy's donkey.