A Talking Donkey!

Reading:  Numbers 22, 23, 24
My Verse:  "And the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, What have I done to you that you should strike me these three times?" ( 22:28).

This has got to be one of the funnier episodes in the Bible.  A donkey sees what this wise seer cannot see.  LORD God, You are too wonderful!  You show us how foolish we can be! Not only does the donkey see the angel that Balaam cannot see but You give the donkey the ability to converse with Balaam.  And in this conversation, the donkey reveals Balaam's foolish behavior to him.  The talking donkey makes more sense than Balaam, the wise seer!

LORD God the Bible is fascinating!  There are so many stories like this that just makes one ponder the meaning.  All of scripture was written for the edification of the saints. 

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope" (Romans 15:4).

So what do I do with this story?  How is it profitable to my walk with You? 

First, it makes me laugh. That is a good thing.  You, LORD God do have a sense of humor.  This story is delightful!

Second, I am intrigued by this man, Balaam.  What kind of a man was he that You should use him in this way?  He is introduced in verse 5.  "So Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moabites at that time, sent messengers to Balaam [a foreteller of events] son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the [Euphrates] River"  Balaam had a great reputation for blessing and cursing. He was known as a seer.  His home in what is now northern Syria was some 400 miles away from Moab - a long way to travel at that time.  Yet because King Balak was desperate, he was willing to pay Balaam whatever was needed to have him come and curse the Israelites for him so he could defeat them.

It is especially curious that Balaam, a pagan seer, does speak Your Words, LORD God.  He told King Balak that he could only speak the words You give him and ended up blessing the Israelites three times!
This is very curious.  You are using a pagan to speak Your words.  I am reading a book called God's Rivals by Gerald R. McDermott.  In it he speaks of how You were known to many people outside the nation of Israel and the Church.  You even bring this to light in the Bible in various places besides this particular incident.  So what are You telling us here?  I am not sure, LORD God.  But please help me to be attentive to what You have to teach me through all people.  You are no respector of persons!  We are all Your creation!  How I need to remember that.

Thirdly,  I am brought back to the humor of this.  You use a talking donkey to reveal to the great and wise Balaam his own foolishness.  How often we need You to reveal to us a haughty and arrogant spirit.   And sometimes You use the most surprising circumstances and/or people to do this - like the talking donkey!

Thank You, LORD God for Your holy Word.  Thank You for constantly teaching me truth from it.  I am truly blessed to be able to read it at my leisure. 

"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His" (Daniel 2:20).

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!