When a Donkey Speaks

Sometimes, the Lord uses the most unexpected things to get our attention. In Numbers 22, we read about Balaam—a prophet who was hired to curse the people of Israel. But God had other plans.

As Balaam was riding along, his donkey suddenly turned aside three times, trying to avoid an angel that only it could see. Each time, Balaam struck the donkey in anger. Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” (Numbers 22:28). Surprisingly, Balaam answered, “Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now.” But the donkey replied, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you?” And Balaam said, “No.” (Numbers 22:29–30). It’s one of the most unusual conversations in all of Scripture—and it took a talking donkey to open the eyes of a prophet.

We’re not told much about what happened immediately after that exchange, but maybe... just maybe... it went something like this.

(This is a fictional account, written to help us reflect on the deeper message behind the story.)

Balaam sat on a rock, rubbing his bruised leg. (The donkey had pressed his leg against the wall during one of the three times it tried to avoid the angel in the road, leaving him with a painful reminder.) His donkey stood nearby, munching on dry grass like nothing strange had just happened.

A stranger approached, eyes full of curiosity.

“You look like you’ve had a rough ride,” the stranger said.

Balaam gave a weak chuckle. “You ever been corrected by your own donkey?”

“Can’t say I have,” the stranger replied. “What’d it tell you?”

“It asked me why I beat it. And the crazy thing is... I answered. Like it was normal.”

“Sounds like God wasn’t just trying to stop your journey,” the stranger said, “but open your eyes.”

Balaam looked down. “You think I missed the message?”

“Maybe the donkey understood better than you did.”

Balaam shook his head. “I’m supposed to be the prophet. He was just a beast.”

“And yet he obeyed,” the stranger said gently. “You spoke for God, but the donkey spoke for Him too—when you wouldn’t listen.”

Balaam was quiet for a moment. “That’s humbling.”

“If God can speak through a donkey,” the stranger said, “He can speak through anyone. Even you. Even me.”

Balaam sighed. “That angel in the road would’ve killed me. I thought the donkey was in my way. But he was saving me.”

“Sometimes the thing you think is stopping you... is really God protecting you.”

Balaam nodded slowly. “Next time, I’ll listen the first time.”

The stranger smiled. “Better to hear a donkey once than face an angel with a sword.”

“The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord raises up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.” — Psalm 146:8

Sometimes, God stops us with something we didn’t expect—a delay, a detour, even a rebuke. It might not come from a donkey, but it might come through a situation, a conversation, or a still small voice.

God is always speaking. The question is, are we listening?

What if the thing you’ve been pushing against is actually the thing God sent to save you?

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“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.”

I am the author of two books: Embracing God's Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.

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I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. (1 Timothy 1:12)