Today we will talk about bible verses about talking donkey. Many of us may find the story of Balaam and his donkey quite fascinating. In the Bible, we see a talking donkey as a profound and whimsical event that teaches us about obedience, listening to God, and recognizing His ways, even when they come through unexpected means. The story reminds us that God can use any creature to convey His message and steer us away from wrong paths. As we delve into these verses today, let’s keep our hearts and minds open to the lessons God wants to share with us through this remarkable tale.
Bible Verses About Talking Donkey
God Uses Unlikely Messengers
In our walk of faith, we often assume that God only speaks through the wise, experienced, or seemingly pious. However, the story of a talking donkey teaches us that God can use anyone, or anything, to share His message. This powerful reminder challenges us to be open to unexpected communications and to recognize that God’s voice can appear in unconventional forms. It is a nudge for us to listen closely, as we may find His guidance in places we least expect.
Numbers 22:21-22
“So Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. But God was very angry when he went; and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.” – Numbers 22:21-22
Numbers 22:23
“When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the road into a field; and Balaam beat her to get her back on the road.” – Numbers 22:23
Numbers 22:24-25
“Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it; so he beat her again.” – Numbers 22:24-25
Numbers 22:26-27
“Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat her with his staff.” – Numbers 22:26-27
Numbers 22:28
“Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, ‘What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?'” – Numbers 22:28
Understanding God’s Will
We all desire clarity regarding God’s will in our lives. The interaction between Balaam and his donkey serves as a brilliant reflection of how sometimes we may miss God’s will because of our stubbornness. The donkey, often dismissed as just a beast of burden, became an instrument to show Balaam the truth. This teaches us that understanding God’s will requires us to stay humble and to be willing to listen, even when we think we know best.
Numbers 22:29
“Balaam answered the donkey, ‘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
Numbers 22:30
“The donkey said to Balaam, ‘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?’ ‘No,’ he said.” – Numbers 22:30
Numbers 22:31
“Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn; so he bowed low and fell facedown.” – Numbers 22:31
Numbers 22:32
“The angel of the LORD asked him, ‘Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me.'” – Numbers 22:32
Numbers 22:33
“The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared her.” – Numbers 22:33
Recognizing God’s Protection
There’s something comforting about knowing that God is always looking out for us, even when we may not realize it. The story reminds us that we must recognize divine protection; sometimes it might just come through an unexpected avenue—a faithful donkey, for example. This calls us to reflect on how we view obstacles in our lives. They might just be God helping us avoid danger, urging us to pay attention to His guiding hand.
Numbers 22:34
“Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, ‘I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back.'” – Numbers 22:34
Numbers 22:35
“The angel of the LORD said to Balaam, ‘Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you.’ So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.” – Numbers 22:35
Numbers 22:36
“When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite town on the Arnon border, at the furthest point of the border.” – Numbers 22:36
Numbers 22:37
“Balak said to Balaam, ‘Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why didn’t you come to me? Am I really unable to reward you?'” – Numbers 22:37
Numbers 22:38
“Balaam said, ‘Well, I have come to you. But I can’t say whatever I please. I must speak only what God puts in my mouth.'” – Numbers 22:38
The Value of Obedience
Obedience is a recurring theme in our relationship with God. The story of Balaam illustrates that our obedience is not just about performing tasks but is deeply rooted in trusting God’s authority and His plans for us. When we listen to divine instruction, even when it feels uncomfortable, we are engaging in a valuable practice of faith that will ultimately bring us closer to God and His purpose for our lives.
Numbers 23:1
“Balaam said, ‘Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me.'” – Numbers 23:1
Numbers 23:2
“Balaam did as Balaak said, and the two of them offered a bull and a ram on each altar.” – Numbers 23:2
Numbers 23:3
“Then Balaam said to Balak, ‘Stay here beside your offering while I go aside. Perhaps the LORD will come to meet with me. Whatever He reveals to me I will tell you.’ Then he went off to a barren height.” – Numbers 23:3
Numbers 23:4
“God met with him and Balaam said, ‘I have prepared seven altars, and on each altar I have offered a bull and a ram.'” – Numbers 23:4
Numbers 23:5
“The LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, ‘Go back to Balak and give him this word.'” – Numbers 23:5
Listening to God’s Promptings
Listening is an essential skill we must cultivate in our spiritual lives. The encounter between Balaam and his donkey emphasizes the importance of tuning into God’s promptings. When we are busy, distracted, or overconfident, we risk missing His gentle nudges. This story encourages us to approach our lives with an attitude of attentiveness, as we must be willing to hear His voice and respond to His guidance.
Numbers 23:6
“So Balaam went back to Balak, who was standing there beside his offering, with all the officials of Moab.” – Numbers 23:6
Numbers 23:7
“Balaam spoke his message: ‘Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the eastern mountains. Come, he said, “Curse Jacob for me; come, denounce Israel.”'” – Numbers 23:7
Numbers 23:8
“How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced?” – Numbers 23:8
Numbers 23:9
“From the rocky peaks I see them, from the heights I view them. I see a people who live apart and do not consider themselves one of the nations.” – Numbers 23:9
Numbers 23:10
“Who can count the dust of Jacob or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and may my final end be like theirs!” – Numbers 23:10
God’s Sovereignty Over Creation
This fascinating story also serves as a reminder of God’s absolute sovereignty over all creation. Even a donkey has a role in God’s plan, demonstrating that He is in control of everything. It encourages us to have faith in God’s plans; even when life seems chaotic or nonsensical, we must trust that He is weaving it all together for our good.
Numbers 23:11
“Balak said to Balaam, ‘What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, but you have done nothing but bless them!'” – Numbers 23:11
Numbers 23:12
“He answered, ‘Must I not speak what the LORD puts in my mouth?'” – Numbers 23:12
Numbers 23:13
“Then Balak said to him, ‘Come with me to another place where you can see them. You will not see them all but only the outskirts of their camp, and from there curse them for me.'” – Numbers 23:13
Numbers 23:14
“So he took him to the field of Zophim on the top of Pisgah, and there he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.” – Numbers 23:14
Numbers 23:15
“Balaam said to Balak, ‘Stay here beside your offering while I meet with Him over there.'” – Numbers 23:15
The Importance of Heeding Warnings
Throughout our lives, God provides us with warnings—sometimes subtle and other times quite clear. Just like Balaam’s donkey was a warning to him, we should be aware of the signs God gives us when we are on the wrong path. This reflection pushes us to be mindful of His guidance and to heed the warnings we receive so we can stay aligned with His purpose for our lives.
Numbers 23:16
“The LORD met with Balaam and put a word in his mouth and said, ‘Go back to Balak and give him this word.'” – Numbers 23:16
Numbers 23:17
“So he went to him and found him standing beside his offering, with the officials of Moab.” – Numbers 23:17
Numbers 23:18
“Then he spoke his message: ‘Arise, Balak, and listen; hear me, son of Zippor.'” – Numbers 23:18
Numbers 23:19
“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” – Numbers 23:19
Numbers 23:20
“I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it.” – Numbers 23:20
Surrendering Our Plans to God
Finally, the essence of the story encourages us to surrender our own plans to God. Balaam faced the decision of whether to follow what he thought would benefit him or to adhere to God’s instructions. It highlights the importance of allowing God’s will to overshadow our desires. As we reflect on the journey of Balaam and the talking donkey, let’s commit to yielding our plans to Him, trusting that He knows what’s best for our lives.
Numbers 23:21
“No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed in Israel. The LORD their God is with them; the shout of the King is among them.” – Numbers 23:21
Numbers 23:22
“God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox.” – Numbers 23:22
Numbers 23:23
“There is no sorcery against Jacob, no divination against Israel. It will now be said of Jacob and of Israel, ‘See what God has done!'” – Numbers 23:23
Numbers 23:24
“The people rise like a lioness; they rouse themselves like a lion that does not rest till he devours his prey and drinks the blood of his victims.” – Numbers 23:24
Numbers 23:25
“Then Balak said to Balaam, ‘Neither curse them at all nor bless them at all!'” – Numbers 23:25
Final Thoughts
This incredible story of Balaam and the talking donkey serves as a remarkable testament to God’s sovereignty, guidance, and the unexpected ways He communicates with us. We have explored the key themes of listening to His voice, recognizing His protection, and the importance of obedience. As we journey in our faith together, may we remain open to the ways God speaks to us and encourages us to follow His will. The next time we find ourselves in an unexpected situation, let’s remember the lessons learned from Balaam’s encounter and trust that God can and will guide us for our good.
May we embrace the truth that God uses every part of His creation—yes, even a donkey—to accomplish His divine purpose. Let it be a reminder that our understanding of God’s methods should never be limited by our expectations. As we move forward, let’s continue to seek His presence and remain attentive to His promptings in our lives, trusting Him with our plans and paths.
Let us pray for hearts that are receptive and willing to listen, for eyes that recognize the divine guidance around us, and for lives that reflect our obedience to God’s calling. In this journey of faith, we stand blessed and favored, just as Balaam and his donkey were part of God’s incredible story. Amen.
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4
