The Story of Balaam
God allows an animal to speak to man
From the Bible, King James Version
Numbers
Numbers 22:21-35
[21] And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
[22] And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
[23] And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
[24] But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
[25] And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
[26] And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
[27] And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
[28] And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
[29] And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
[30] And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.
[31] Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
[32] And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:
[33] And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.
[34] And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.
[35] And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.Editors note: God had allowed an animal to speak to man. The first words are: "Why are you hurting me?" If animals could talk to us, what would they say? It is interesting to note that in the story of Balaam, he thoughtlessly beats his donkey. It isn't until an angel is looking him in the face that he stops and thinks about what he is doing and only then bows his head and confesses his sin.Hopefully it doesn't take an angel with a sword for the rest of us to understand the concept of compassion....
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32
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