Have you ever thought to yourself: “What if animals could talk? Well, animals have been known to speak, as recorded in the Bible. One example was the serpent in Genesis 3; the other is the focus of our study today.

In Numbers 22, we find the fascinating account of Balaam and his talking donkey. Balaam, a prophet, was summoned by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Initially, God instructed Balaam not to go, but after further insistence from Balak, God allowed him to go with a warning: Speak only what I tell you.

As Balaam set out on his journey, riding his donkey, God’s anger was kindled because Balaam’s intentions were not aligned with God’s will. An angel of the Lord stood in the way to oppose him. Balaam, unaware of the angel’s presence, continued forward. His donkey, however, saw the angel and turned off the path. After Balaam struck the donkey, it pressed against a wall to avoid the angel, crushing Balaam’s foot. Balaam struck the donkey again. Finally, the donkey laid down, refusing to move. Balaam, furious, struck the donkey a third time.

Then, a miraculous event occurred: God opened the donkey’s mouth! It spoke to Balaam. “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?” (v. 28). When Balaam’s eyes were opened, the angel explained that the donkey had saved Balaam’s life. Balaam repented, committing to speak only what God instructed (v. 38).

Balaam’s donkey reminds us that God can use unlikely ways to get our attention. This ordinary animal became a mouthpiece for divine intervention. It also underscores the importance of spiritual awareness. Like Balaam, we can become so focused on our own plans that we miss God’s guidance and warnings. May that not be true of us as we go about our day today.

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