God’s Creation—A Talking Donkey

Numbers 22:28 Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” (ES).

“Please! Please,” the donkey said. “Don’t beat me!”

Balaam’s donkey didn’t understand why her master was upset. As commanded, she carried him toward town. Then suddenly, God’s warrior angel appeared in her path. The angel towered above them, shining bright as the sun. Laser swords buzzed in his hands.

The donkey trembled, and pressing ahead, tried to carry her rider away from danger.

“Stupid bad donkey!” her master yelled. “Why are you running? I didn’t tell you to go.” He struck her with his stick.

“Sometimes, you make me so angry!”

The donkey loved her master, but the angel in her path was huge. Tears welled up in her large brown eyes. Didn’t her master see the danger ahead?

The angel watched. Filled with compassion for the donkey and its rider, he opened Balaam’s eyes. Only then did Balaam see the error of his actions, dismount and drop to his knees in fear.

“I’m sorry! God, forgive me. You told me not to go this way, but I went anyway. Please take away your angel.”

The angel vanished.

Balaam hugged his donkey. “Dear donkey, I’m sorry for hurting you! You saved my life!”

Sometimes, for their own good, we step in to help people, offer a gentle word of correction, or redirect their actions. When we do, they often get upset.

Don’t worry. Be brave. With love, have a tough hide like a donkey and do what is right for friends. God knows the truth. He has compassion on us. Let’s show compassion to others by protecting them from making mistakes they’ll regret.

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Julie Hagel