Of course donkeys don’t talk! Only people talk! Right? Yes, with one exception. Balaam’s donkey talked to his master on the road to King Balak’s palace. The king had asked the prophet Balaam to come and curse the Israelites because they were a threat to the Moabites. God had warned Balaam in a dream not to speak a word against His chosen people. When King Balak refused to take “no” for an answer, he sent for Balaam again and promised him great power and prestige. God answered in another dream, “Okay Balaam, go to Balak, but be sure to say only what I tell you I” Balaam saddled his donkey and headed for the palace.
On the way, an angel appeared in the middle of the road, but was seen only by the donkey. Frightened, the beast of burden turned off the road and sped across a field. An angered Balaam hit his donkey and led her back to the road. Later the ass saw the angel again. This time she veered to one side, crushing Balaam’s foot against the wall. Balaam again beat the animal unmercifully. Then the angel went on ahead and stood in the road at a narrow place where there was no room to turn at either side. At the sight of the angel, the ass simply lay down in the middle of the road with Balaam on her back. Furiously the prophet began beating her again. And then God caused the donkey to do something very strange. She opened her mouth and said, “What have I done to make you beat me three times?” “Why, you’ve made fun of me. If I’d have a sword right now, I’d kill you!” was the reply. Ile conversation continued until Balaam finally saw the angel standing before them. The prophet vowed to go back to his house rather than to go to King Balak, but the angel instructed him to go on.
The story continues, but the point is that Balaam’s donkey was a spokesman for God! And God still needs talking donkeys today! The Psalmist ernphasized this fact when he said, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say go” (Psalm 107:2). It’s true that a verbal witness doesn’t amount to much unless it is backed up by consistent living. Yet for too long we have patted ourselves on the back concerning our silent witness (and all the while have used the “lock-jaw” approach in the verbal department). Jesus told His disciples to “Go and tell.” Might it not be time that more donkeys take up talking?
