Lessons From a Donkey
Text: 2 Peter 2:15–16 | Scripture Reading: Numbers 22:20–35
The Story of Balaam
Balaam was a prophet who should have known better. When Balak, king of Moab, offered him riches to curse Israel, God clearly told Balaam not to go. But the lure of wealth was too strong. Balaam went anyway — and on the road to Moab, it was his own donkey that saw what the "man of God" could not: an angel of the Lord standing in the way with a drawn sword. Three times the donkey turned aside to save Balaam's life. Three times Balaam struck the animal in anger. Then God opened the donkey's mouth, and a speechless animal spoke with a human voice to restrain the prophet's madness.
The Greek word paraphronia — used in 2 Peter 2:16 to describe Balaam — doesn't mean he lacked intelligence. It points to a willful, frenzied moral insanity: a man so consumed by greed that he abandoned the path of God even while claiming to speak for Him.
God's Power Has No Limits
The miracle of a talking donkey is, first and foremost, a declaration of God's omnipotence. "The Lord opened the mouth of the donkey" (Numbers 22:28) — simple, direct, and staggering. His power extends over all creation: over the heavens and the earth (Jeremiah 32:17), over every living creature (Genesis 18:14), and even over inanimate objects (Luke 19:40). Nothing is beyond His reach.
With God, the Impossible becomes Possible
If God can make a donkey speak, what is too hard for Him in your life? Whatever you are facing — in health, in finances, in your emotions — take heart. As Jesus said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God. For with God, all things are possible" (Mark 10:27).
God Overrules to Accomplish His Purposes
God used a donkey to fulfil three purposes in Balaam's journey.
- Protection — the donkey saw the angel and turned aside, sparing Balaam's life.
- Correction — the incident exposed Balaam's disobedience and perverse way. Though Balaam said "I have sinned," his repentance was shallow.
- Direction — the angel instructed Balaam to speak only the words God would give him. God may use unexpected "donkeys" in our own lives to protect, correct, and redirect us.
Beware of Modern-Day Balaams
The story does not end well. Although Balaam could not curse Israel directly — God turned every attempted curse into a blessing — he craftily arranged for Moabite women to seduce the Israelite men into sin. Israel was led away from God, and 24,000 people died as a result. Balaam himself was later killed by the armies of Israel.
Peter and Jude wrote their letters during a difficult season for the early church, warning believers about false teachers who use religion for personal gain. Balaam's way, his error, and his doctrine remain stumbling blocks in churches today. As Albert Barnes wrote, Balaam knew the right way but, for the sake of gain, went against God's will — and it cost him everything.
Reflect and Respond
Consider these questions prayerfully:
- How might God be trying to get your attention right now — perhaps through unusual or unexpected means?
- Are there areas in your life that are not aligned with God's Word and may need correction?
- Could God be working for your protection in circumstances you don't yet understand?
- When the situation feels impossible, will you trust that nothing is too hard for God?
Read the Bible and pray every day. Develop a strong, steady relationship with God — so that when the voice of greed, compromise, or false teaching calls, you will recognise it for what it is, and walk the other way.
Speaker: Bro. Andrew Gan