God Speaks & Creation Listens (8/12)-God Commands & Speaks Through a Donkey

In Numbers 22:28-30, God pulls out all the stops and does something truly extraordinary: He speaks through a donkey. Yes, a talking donkey. But before we get to the jaw-dropping conversation between Balaam and his beast of burden, let’s set the stage.

Balaam, a prophet-for-hire, is traveling with Balak’s messengers after being summoned to curse Israel. Despite God’s clear instructions not to curse His chosen people, Balaam is on his way—tempted, it seems, by the lucrative reward awaiting him. God, seeing Balaam’s heart straying, sends an angel to block his path.

But here’s the twist: Balaam doesn’t see the angel. The one who’s supposed to be the spiritual authority, the "seer," is utterly blind to the supernatural reality right in front of him. Who does see the angel? The donkey.

The donkey veers off the road, crushes Balaam’s foot against a wall, and finally sits down under him. Balaam, oblivious to the divine encounter unfolding, loses his temper and starts beating the poor animal. And that’s when the miracle happens:

"Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, 'What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?'" (Numbers 22:28, NIV).

Cue Balaam’s surprising response. He doesn’t question why his donkey is suddenly talking; he just starts arguing with it:

"You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now." (Numbers 22:29, NIV).

The donkey’s reply? A masterclass in logic:

"Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?" (Numbers 22:30, NIV).

At this point, you can almost hear the donkey thinking, Seriously, Balaam? Do I normally act like this?

At this point, I’d like to interject with a personal thought: I often wish my dogs could talk to me—not for the same reasons as Balaam, of course, but I can’t help imagining how awesome (or maybe downright annoying!) that would be. Could you imagine the commentary during a meal? “Are you really going to eat that whole plate? You could share, you know!” Or the constant updates: “The mailman is here! Again!” But in Balaam’s case, it wasn’t amusing or hypothetical—it was a divine intervention.

Let’s dive back into the story and what it teaches us.

You ask, why a donkey? Well, what else was nearby for God to use? If Balaam had been holding a walking stick, God could have used that instead. But in this moment, the donkey was the tool at hand—and nothing about the donkey itself was particularly special, except that it was carrying Balaam. This wasn’t about the donkey; it was about God’s ability to use anything to accomplish His purpose and get our attention.

Think about it—throughout scripture, He uses shepherds, fishermen, tax collectors, and even a donkey to accomplish His purposes. If God can use a donkey, He can use anyone or anything to reach us.

Balaam, a prophet—a man who should have been spiritually attuned—was so consumed by his own desires and agenda that he completely missed the divine warning in front of him. 

Ironically, the very creature he dismissed as stubborn and unimportant was the one that saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way. This raises an uncomfortable question: Are there areas in our lives where pride, greed, or distraction blind us to what God is trying to show us?

And isn’t that just like God? He often delivers wisdom through unexpected sources. How often do we dismiss advice, insight, or correction simply because it comes from someone—or something—we don’t deem significant or qualified?

The lesson is twofold: we must examine our own spiritual blind spots, and we must remain open to hearing God’s voice through the unlikely messengers He chooses. Whether it’s a friend, a stranger, or even a situation that feels frustrating, God can speak through anything if we’re willing to listen. Don’t let pride or assumptions cause you to miss His message.

So, here’s the challenge: What’s your "donkey" moment? Is there wisdom trying to reach you from a source you’ve overlooked? And are you humble enough to see it before it’s too late?

God could have struck Balaam down for his disobedience, wiping out the problem with one swift act. Instead, He chose a path of grace—using a humble, everyday donkey to redirect Balaam and save his life. This moment reveals not only God’s creativity but also His incredible patience and desire to guide us back to the right path, even when we’ve gone astray.

Here’s the challenge: What if those curveballs in your life—those frustrating detours and unexpected obstacles—are really your "talking donkey" moments? What if God is using the unexpected to grab your attention, redirect your path, or even protect you from unseen danger?

The real question isn’t whether God is speaking. It’s whether we’re listening. Balaam’s story reminds us that God’s voice often comes through unconventional means—through roadblocks, unlikely messengers, and moments that seem inconvenient or perplexing at first glance.

So, the next time you find yourself facing the unexpected, pause. Reflect. Ask yourself, Is this God trying to get my attention? God speaks through the humble, the lowly, and the unexpected. Don’t miss it. After all, wouldn’t you rather hear from a talking donkey than miss the angel in the road?

The Strange Tale of Balaam and His Talking Donkey

https://youtu.be/8s63RoREsXE?si=up9DsmZGURKPHzt1

Amanda Allen, the author of Kingdom Revelations, holds the copyright to her works and art. Copyright © Amanda Allen, Kingdom Revelations, 2025. All rights reserved. This article may be shared with acknowledgment of the author and the original source.