March 15 (Sunday) -- Will Somone Please Tell That Donkey to Shut Up?

I’m a parking talking donkey! Numbers 22:21-23:30

I’m a walking talking father! Luke 1:57-80

Break the teeth in their mouths, O God: Psalm 58:1-11

A man of understanding holds his tongue: Proverbs 11:12-13

Isn’t it funny how all four of today’s Bible readings have to do with either talking or the mouth? :) Note that in both Numbers and Luke you had somebody that couldn’t talk all of a sudden start talking, then in Psalm & Proverbs you had people either getting their teeth broken or holding their tongue. :)

I love the story about Balaam and his donkey! It’s a Bible story you can’t tell with a straight face. :)

If you recall from yesterday’s reading, God told Balaam that He was going to bless the Israelites instead of curse them for King Balak of Moab. But when Balak sent more messengers to Balaam to ask him again to curse the Israelites, with promises to make Balaam very rich, Balaam asked God again. God was ticked off because He already told Balaam that He was going to bless the Israelites. So God made a fool out of Balaam. :)

It’s funny to think of a prophet being made of such a fool. We think of the Old Testament prophets as being these larger-than-life people, but they had weaknesses too. In this case, the temptation of wealth was too much to pass up.

I’ve always wondered why in verse 22:29, after the donkey starts speaking to Balaam, Balaam doesn’t reply with, “Whoa, donkey. You’re not supposed to be talking!” :)