March 15- If You Could Talk With The Animals

March 15, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Numbers 22:21-23:30; Luke 1:57-80;
Psalm 58:1-11; Proverbs 11:12-13

If we could talk to the animals, just imagine it

Chatting to a chimp in chimpanzee

Imagine talking to a tiger, chatting to a cheetah

What an neat achievement that would be.

~Dr. Doolittle   The Musical

Numbers 22:21-23:30

On a recent 25th season of her show Oprah focused on animals.  One of the segments was about a bonobo ape who had learned to communicate with its caregivers by using a picture board filled with icons and pictures.  The humans were able to understand what the ape was thinking by using this means of communication.  It was interesting to learn that the ape used an average of 30 to 40 words per day.  Other research with animals indicates that they have emotions, thoughts, and intelligence. Their intelligence may be lower than ours, but it is intelligence none the less.  Today God uses an animal to teach a man how to "get in tune" with the One True God.

Balaam has been called by King Balak to come to his kingdom to curse the Jews.  He has been enticed by offers of silver and gold. Although he has piously declared that he cannot be tempted by riches, there are subtle indications that he can. Balaam starts out on the road to Moab on his faithful donkey.  As they are riding along, the Angel of the Lord (pre-incarnate Christ) blocks the road with a sword drawn to strike Balaam. This may seem curious to us.  Didn't God tell Balaam that he could go to the king but needed to say what God wanted him to say?  This story indicates to us that the Lord is aware that Balaam's heart is rebellious.  He permits Balaam to do what he wants to do.  But there is really greed and covetous in Balaam's heart.  The Scripture is subtle on this point.

The donkey tries to avoid the Angel of the Lord three times.  On the final time the donkey lays down in the road. Balaam is beating the donkey each time. The Lord causes the donkey to be able to speak and the donkey admonishes Balaam for beating him.  Balaam says that the donkey is making him look like an ass (I couldn't resist that!) and that he would kill him if he had a sword.  The donkey says "But I am the same donkey that you always ride on.  Have I ever done anything like this before?"  At that moment the Lord opens the eyes of Balaam and Balaam sees the Angel of the Lord.

Balaam's response is to confess that he has sinned and  to explain that his sin has blocked his ability to see God.  The New Testament gives us commentary on Balaam.  In 2 Peter we are told about the way of Balaam.  In the book of Jude we are told about the error of Balaam.  In Revelation, the doctrine of Balaam is mentioned. First, we must recognize that the donkey has more spiritual discernment than Balaam.  Next, we see that God uses Balaam to pronounce blessings on Israel in front of the king of Moab.  Go back to the blessings of God that Balaam pronounces (vs. 7-11 and vs. 18 -24).  These are beautiful statements from God's heart about His passion to bless the nation of Israel in order to save the whole world through her.

Do you wonder why King Balak keeps taking Balaam to different mountain tops to gaze down on the camp of the nation of Israel and curse them?  Why doesn't he get mad at this prophet and punish him? King Balak must feel comfortable with this prophet.  Balaam was a renowned prophet in this region.  He was one who practiced divination.  Usually the prophets of the One True God are persecuted and killed by kings because of what they say, but Balak seems to like Balaam and sticks with him, even though he is not getting Balaam to say what he wants.  This gives us a clue that Balaam is not a true prophet of God. God is choosing to use Balaam to get His message to King Balak in this incident, but that does not mean that Balaam is a believer. Balaam represents those who encourage the mingling of idolatrous practices with true practices of faith. He represents compromise and unfaithfulness to truth.

What can we learn from this story? 

• Unforgiven sin can block our ability to see God.  
• God can cause an animal to be able to discern things in the spirit world. 
• God can use the godly and the ungodly to tell His story.  
• As a matter of fact, that is how God tells His story, through both the wicked and the righteous.

Are you unable to discern God in your life because of unforgiven sin?  If you have never asked Christ to save you from your sins, you are in the same position as Balaam.  A donkey will be more in tune with God than an unsaved person. Who are you in God's story, the wicked or the righteous? God's will is going to prevail, regardless of where you are in the plan.  It's better to be on board with God.

Luke 1:57-80

Some people say that it "takes a village" to raise a child.  Today we see the whole village rejoicing over the birth of John the Baptist.  The neighbors are surprised when both Elizabeth and Zechariah decide to name the baby John.  Zechariah's obedience in naming the child John results in him getting his voice back.  It's a good thing he gets it back because the first thing God does with Zechariah's restored voice is pronounce a prophecy through him!

This prophecy is a beautiful declaration that the Redeemer Child prohesied so long ago is finally coming to earth.  God has been faithful to His promises. He has used Abraham's seed and honored the sacred covenant.  Israel's enemies have been conquered along the way.  Israel has been preserved as a people group in order to be the vehicle through which the whole world will be blessed. May I just remind us all that Adam had Seth, Seth had Noah, Noah had Shem, Shem had Abraham, Abraham had Israel, and Israel had Jesus through his line.  Promise fulfilled!


How different it is to have a truly faithful believer in God give this beautiful testimony of God's faithfulness.  This is in direct contrast to Balaam's forced prophecy. Balaam was a reluctant messenger.  Zechariah is a zealous messenger.


Zechariah also prophesies about his own son.  God reveals through Zechariah that John will be the prophet of the Most High who will prepare the way for the Lord and will tell people how to find salvation through forgiveness of sins.  The prophecy ends with a beautiful picture of Christ being a light from heaven that breaks the shadow of death in which we all sit.  His light guides us down the path of peace.

I must mention that Luke tells us that John grew up to be strong in spirit and lived in the wilderness.  We have talked so much about the wilderness.  Actually, God talks so much about the wilderness that we must glean another message about this passage.  John was strong spiritually because he lived in the wilderness.  Do you get the point?  Our hardships make us spiritually strong because we must rely on God in the hard times.  Suffering is a blessing.  Can you wrap your mind around that?  It is a tool for growth.  Embrace it.

Psalm 58:1-11

Vs. 11 "Then at last, everyone will say, 'There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.'"

Do you look forward to being able to say this?

Proverbs 11:12-13

Vs. 13 "A gossip goes around revealing secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence."

What did you see in today's study?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
© 2011