Talking Donkey

[Andrew]

Does anyone else find it humorous that Balaam talks back to the donkey without any alarm that he is having a conversation with an animal?

 

[psalms 91]

No I believe that he had seen so much with God that he just accepted it

 

[Lamb]

Balaam was used to God speaking to him so I guess a donkey was slightly less than that experience??? LOL

Numbers 8 “Spend the night here,” Balaam said to them, “and I will report back to you with the answer the Lord gives me.”

 

[k0de]

Does anyone else find it humorous that Balaam talks back to the donkey without any alarm that he is having a conversation with an animal?

Not at all. I believe that God can use anyone, anything, human, or beast, to carry His word.

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[tango]

Not at all. I believe that God can use anyone, anything, human, or beast, to carry His word.

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I believe that too but would still be surprised if an animal started talking to me. If a donkey started talking to me I don't know that I'd just answer it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world to be doing.

 

[JRT]

In the literary tradition of the ancient Greeks tall tales that taught a lesson were known as "fables". Many of these involved talking animals. Just saying.

 

[Lamb]

In the literary tradition of the ancient Greeks tall tales that taught a lesson were known as "fables". Many of these involved talking animals. Just saying.

If you don't believe that God could make a donkey talk then how could you ever believe that Jesus died for the forgiveness of your sins?

 

[hedrick]

If you don't believe that God could make a donkey talk then how could you ever believe that Jesus died for the forgiveness of your sins?

Sure. The question isn't whether he could, but whether he did. The best judgement of current archaeologists is that that portion of the OT isn't historical. Mark and Paul, on the other hand were written in a time when people who had seen Jesus were still alive. Matthew, Luke and John, maybe or maybe not, but they had sources from that period.

 

[NewCreation435]

I've told people before that this story is in the Bible and they don't even believe me.

 

[Lamb]

Sure. The question isn't whether he could, but whether he did. The best judgement of current archaeologists is that that portion of the OT isn't historical. Mark and Paul, on the other hand were written in a time when people who had seen Jesus were still alive. Matthew, Luke and John, maybe or maybe not, but they had sources from that period.

So you take the word of modern man over tradition that has always believed it to be true?

 

[Pedrito]

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Balaam’s donkey, also referred to as an ass, features in Numbers 22:21-33. Balaam beats his ass on three occasions in quick succession, because the ass reacts to the presence of an angel that Balaam cannot see.

We have two charming pets. They are of the feline variety. I can just imagine the reaction of one of those were I to be deliberately mean to it. It wouldn’t have the words, but boy! would it make it’s feelings known – both by sound and action. There would be no doubt at all that I was in the doghouse.

In Balaam’s case, the donkey had apparently been patient and inexpressive. Finally, God prompts the donkey to open its mouth and express itself. The donkey gives vent to its frustrations. God translates the intention of the donkey’s braying in Balaam’s mind. The donkey understands Balaam’s mood when he is threatened in return, and expresses the internal feelings triggered by Balaam’s threat. God translates those, too.

Then God makes the angel visible to Balaam, and the donkey’s actions and expressed inner feelings suddenly make sense.


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I have the strong impression that people talk to dogs. They appear to talk to them as though they are intelligent and can understand.

I can only assume that such people have never watched greyhounds racing.

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[hedrick]

So you take the word of modern man over tradition that has always believed it to be true?

In areas where we have more or better information, sure. There are lots of traditional beliefs that have turned out to be wrong. Start with the earth being the center of the universe. It seems odd that we would know more about the history of ancient Israel than those living in the 1st Cent, but they didn't have access to the range of ancient documents or archaeology that we do, and even if they did, they didn't have the critical methodology to use it fully.

This doesn't claim that we're more intelligent, more holy, or have more spiritual understanding, but in matters such as science and history, we demonstrably know more than people even 100 years ago.

 

[Andrew]

In areas where we have more or better information, sure. There are lots of traditional beliefs that have turned out to be wrong. Start with the earth being the center of the universe. It seems odd that we would know more about the history of ancient Israel than those living in the 1st Cent, but they didn't have access to the range of ancient documents or archaeology that we do, and even if they did, they didn't have the critical methodology to use it fully.

This doesn't claim that we're more intelligent, more holy, or have more spiritual understanding, but in matters such as science and history, we demonstrably know more than people even 100 years ago.

There is no possible way of knowing that the world is NOT the center of the universe.
According to scripture we are the only world with life for which our known universe may be centered around, science has not discovered life on other planets so we may just be the center of Gods eye and the focal point of the universe.. it doesn't mean that the planets in our solar system and Sun doesn't have to harmonize the way it does but it also doesn't mean that our planet isn't the sole center of intelligence in the universe, how could we possibly know if the Earth is stationed and the universe isn't spinning around us or made entirely to support this one planet we live on?
People in the past could say that our modern time is ridiculous just as we may see the the OT stories of a talking snake and donkey, a global deluge, waters splitting, the sun stopping, man being created from dust etc as ridiculous.
We still can't even figure out how many megaliths were built in the ancient days and one day we may be considered ancient... I simply wouldn't omit anything from the bible as a fanciful myth because I wouldn't even know where to begin lol
So talking donkey it is and I'm fine with that

 

[hedrick]

There is no possible way of knowing that the world is NOT the center of the universe.
According to scripture we are the only world with life for which our known universe may be centered around, science has not discovered life on other planets so we may just be the center of Gods eye and the focal point of the universe.. it doesn't mean that the planets in our solar system and Sun doesn't have to harmonize the way it does but it also doesn't mean that our planet is isn't the sole center of intelligence in the universe, how could we possibly know if the Earth is stationed and the universe isn't spinning around us or made entirely to support this one planet we live on?
People in the past could say that our modern time is ridiculous just as we may see the the OT stories of a talking snake and donkey, a global deluge, waters splitting, the sun stopping, man being created from dust etc as ridiculous.
We still can't even figure out how many megaliths were built in the ancient days and one day we may be considered ancient... I simply wouldn't omit anything from the bible as a fanciful myth because I wouldn't even know where to begin lol
So talking donkey it is and I'm fine with that

Why isn't this post-modernism?

 

[Andrew]

Why isn't this post-modernism? It seems to be abandoning the concept of truth. We don't get to choose our truth.

Could you elaborate on what you mean?
Truth is difficult to see, I can't accept everything history tells us, or what anyone in the past or present tells me is truth, the only real truth I can accept from the past is Gods word but I find it hard to trust what anyone past or present says is truth if not according to scripture.
I don't take the concept of truth lightly, but I'm talking about 'Truth' as in what Pilot was asking about, not things that are truthful but 'divine' Truth'.
There is one 'Truth' and there are truths.. the grass is green and the sky is blue but what is absolute Truth?

 

[Lamb]

In areas where we have more or better information, sure. There are lots of traditional beliefs that have turned out to be wrong. Start with the earth being the center of the universe. It seems odd that we would know more about the history of ancient Israel than those living in the 1st Cent, but they didn't have access to the range of ancient documents or archaeology that we do, and even if they did, they didn't have the critical methodology to use it fully.

This doesn't claim that we're more intelligent, more holy, or have more spiritual understanding, but in matters such as science and history, we demonstrably know more than people even 100 years ago.

Comparing scientific beliefs to actual recorded events from what happened are not even on the same wavelength to try to say that it didn't happen.

 

[hedrick]

Could you elaborate on what you mean?
Truth is difficult to see, I can't accept everything history tells us, or what anyone in the past or present tells me is truth, the only real truth I can accept from the past is Gods word but I find it hard to trust what anyone past or present says is truth if not according to scripture.
I don't take the concept of truth lightly, but I'm talking about 'Truth' as in what Pilot was asking about, not things that are truthful but 'divine' Truth'.
There is one 'Truth' and there are truths.. the grass is green and the sky is blue but what is absolute Truth?

In the posting I quoted and this one, you seem to be saying that it's OK to ignore astronomy and history if it contradicts what you want to believe.

 

[hedrick]

Comparing scientific beliefs to actual recorded events from what happened are not even on the same wavelength to try to say that it didn't happen.

The OT before about kings is not "actual recorded events." I refer you to any recent book on the archaeology of Israel not written by someone with a pre-commitment to Biblical inerrancy.

 

[Lamb]

The OT before about kings is not "actual recorded events." I refer you to any recent book on the archaeology of Israel not written by someone with a pre-commitment to Biblical inerrancy.

The OT of course has been recorded because God has made that the case.