Talking Donkeys

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And the Lord spake unto Balaam, saying, “Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.” (Numbers 22:12). Yet Balaam’s heart was drawn after the rewards of the world, and he sought to go against the command of the Lord.

And it came to pass that Balaam rose up in the morning and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. But the anger of God was kindled because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. (Numbers 22:21-22). The path of disobedience leads to peril, as Balaam was to discover.

As he rode upon his ass, the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. (Numbers 22:23). The ass, endowed with a wisdom beyond Balaam's understanding, perceived the danger that lay ahead.

Then the Lord opened the mouth of the ass; and she said unto Balaam, “What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?” (Numbers 22:28). In this moment, the veil of the ordinary was lifted, revealing the extraordinary, as the creature spoke with the voice of reason.

And Balaam said unto the ass, “Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.” (Numbers 22:29). In his folly, Balaam could not grasp the divine lesson being imparted to him through the very creature he rode upon.

Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. (Numbers 22:31). Thus, the Lord revealed His purpose, and Balaam learned that the wisdom of the humble can oftentimes surpass that of the proud.