Talking donkey?? Sure, why not! - June 30
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm [120], 121, 122, 123; PM Psalm 124, 125, 126, [127]
Num. 22:21-38; Rom. 7:1-12; Matt. 21:23-32
This week in our Daily Office lectionary, we have an Old Testament narrative of the story of Balaam, a traveling professional seer from Syria. God uses Balaam over the next three chapters to protect the Israelites from curse and attack by Balak, king of Moab. Balaam is not an Israelite or exclusive follower of the Lord God, and yet, due to his spiritual connection with God, Balaam is obedient. And today, we get a story with a flare of whimsy and surprise: a talking donkey.
In a year of many unexpected changes, writing a reflection on Holy Scripture encompassing the tale of a talking donkey was nowhere on my radar. And yet, here we are. Balaam saddles his donkey to start the journey to King Balak, who has appealed again for a curse to be levied against the Israelites. We see God giving mixed messages: assent to the “psychic friend” to go, then anger that he begins his travel. And then, unbeknownst to Balaam, an angel of the Lord stands - invisible to the human eye - in the middle of the road to block his passage. But the donkey sees, and keeps careening off the path to avoid the sword-wielding angel. Balaam hits and chastises the donkey for its nutty behavior. After the third time, God opens the lips of the donkey: “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”
What?? God opened the lips of the donkey? I am trying to think back during my Christian formation…did I ever learn this story as a kid? I guess this one was overlooked in assembling the curriculum, but it is the only other time in the Bible when God allows a sub-human species to communicate in spoken word across the boundary of humans and animals. (The other was when the serpent spoke to Eve in Genesis.) Perhaps this story was omitted because in most accounts, humans and non-humans are clearly delineated and divided, speaking according to their nature. It is more orderly like that, right?
But this unique fable, in the midst of the book of Numbers, spun and tailored across hundreds of generations, pushes us into a space of discomfort in the unexpected. The lowly donkey is the one who sees God’s angel of aggression and peril. The lowly donkey, though beaten, is faithful to and protective of its owner. The lowly donkey is raised up, becoming the teacher and seer, the voice of wisdom and truth.
Whether that is how it happened or not, this is a piece of the yarn that is woven into our story as people of God. There is more to explore in this fascinating scripture, but for now, let’s just sit with the talking donkey, and marvel at the transformation God can complete in each of us.
-- Katherine+
Questions for Reflection
· Who tells you the truth?
· How do you respond when someone you rely on reacts differently than you expect?
Daily Challenge
After the talking donkey incident, Balaam says, “The word God puts in my mouth, that is what I must say.” Pray that God will put words in your mouth today.