The Donkey Who Spoke

Balaam was a man who heard from God.

That made it stranger, not less.

He had a reputation. Nations hired him to speak blessing and cursing. What he said tended to happen.

The king of Moab sent for him. He wanted Israel cursed.

God told Balaam not to go. Then, after the king sent again, told him he could go but to say only what God told him.

He saddled his donkey and went.

But on the road, the donkey stopped.

She turned aside into a field. Balaam struck her.

She pressed against a wall and crushed his foot. He struck her again.

Then she simply lay down under him and refused to move.

He hit her a third time.

And then the donkey opened her mouth.

She asked him what she had done to deserve three beatings.

Balaam answered her. As if this was normal. He argued with his donkey.

Then God opened his eyes.

The angel of the LORD was standing in the road with a drawn sword.

The donkey had seen him the whole time.

All three stops. All three turns. She had been trying to save his life.

The angel told Balaam the donkey had saved him. If she had not turned, the angel would have killed Balaam and let her live.

Balaam had been angry at the only creature on the road actually paying attention.

He went forward. He could not curse what God had blessed.

And the donkey was never mentioned again.

She just walked back into the ordinary silence of the journey.

Share This Story