Amazing Animals of the Bible, Part 1: Balaam and His Donkey

The children were so intrigued as we read the Bible story of Balaam and his donkey. They had soo many questions! The donkey could talk? Like for real? What language did it speak? Was it a cartoon or a real donkey? Can Nana’s puppies talk too?

There are so many interesting animals mentioned in the Bible that God used to do His bidding. I’m excited to walk the children through a Bible Devotions series called Amazing Animals of the Bible and would love it if you and your children would join us on this journey as we learn about some interesting animals mentioned in the Bible.

The Bible tells us that all animals were created by God:

Genesis 1:21 So God created the large sea animals. He created every living thing that moves in the sea. The sea is filled with these living things. Each one produces more of its own kind. God also made every bird that flies. And each bird produces more of its own kind. God saw that this was good.

Genesis 1:24 Then God said, “Let the earth be filled with animals. And let each produce more of its own kind. Let there be tame animals and small crawling animals and wild animals. And let each produce more of its kind.” And it happened.

Psalm 104:24-25 – How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number – living things both large and small. And all these animals that God created are sustained by Him.

Psalm 104:14, 21, 27-28 You make the grass for cattle…… The lions roar as they attack. They look to God for food……….All these things depend on you to give them their food at the right time. When you give it to them, they gather it up. When you open your hand, they are filled with good food.

Balaam and his Donkey
Read Numbers 22:21-38
The story of Balaam and his donkey is an astonishing one, for children and adults alike. What has always stood out for me in this Bible story, besides the animal that could talk and have conversation just like a human being, was that Balaam spoke back to his donkey! I personally would have passed out from shock! Another thing that brought me joy and yes, a sense of pride, was that his wise donkey was a female. Shout out to all the females out there! This wise animal mentions that she knows she belongs to Balaam, she is his very own donkey, and she points out that she has been faithful to Balaam all the years he has owned her. This donkey goes above and beyond just being faithful to her owner in her role as his transportation, she also protects him from being killed. Look at Numbers 22:32-33 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. The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it.”

This donkey saw the angel of the Lord before Balaam could and it is the Lord that made the donkey talk so she could plead her case. God cares for all his creation, this donkey included, and the angel of the Lord asked why Balaam was not treating her with kindness. The angel of the Lord even mentions how He would have killed Balaam if the donkey had not intervened but would have spared the donkey’s life.

Our takeaway from this story can be summarized into the following points:

Be kind to the animals in your care. Whether they are domestic animals in your home like dogs, cats, fish or birds or animals on a farm like cows, goats, chicken, horses or pigs. Proverbs 12:10 says, “The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.” This means that showing kindness to animals is godly.

Be sensitive to the voice of God speaking to you through various situations and the things that He allows to happen to you. If we pay attention, we can learn more about our God from the world He created. God used the donkey to speak to Balaam, to save his life and finally, his eyes too were opened to see the angel of the Lord and do his bidding. Psalm 19:1-3:

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.

Even when we make a wrong choice, God makes a way for us to get back onto the right path. In the case of Balaam, He sent the angel of the Lord to deter him and when Balaam did not see the angel of the Lord, God opened his donkey’s mouth to speak. All in order to stop Balaam from doing what was wrong in the sight of God. God loves us so much and does not want any of us to perish. 2 Peter 3:9:

He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

We should always ask God for direction before we do anything. This whole intervention from the angel of the Lord and the donkey happened because Balaam did not inquire of the Lord before allowing to go with Balak’s men. Proverbs 3:5-6:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.

And finally, this story teaches and shows us that that there is nothing that is impossible for our God. Absolutely nothing! Our God can make the blind see, the deaf hear, raise the dead to life, part the sea so His people can walk on dry ground and our God can open the mouth of a donkey and make an animal talk! How great is our God! There is none like Him! Jeremiah 32:17: