The Donkey’s Diary

 

Many years ago, I entered a writing contest on an Armenian Christian website. The challenge was to retell a Bible story from an animal's perspective. As I was reading through Numbers 22 again today, I remembered my "hero"—Balaam's donkey. I've translated my story into English to share with you now.

I hope it reminds us to be grateful for the "obstacles" God places in our path—the ones that keep us from our own folly.

The Donkey’s Diary

Nisan 21

Today I was exhausted. I had just lied down to rest when I heard visitors arriving from Moab to see my master. Listening to their conversation, I realized they were messengers from Balak, the King of Moab.

"What do they want now?" I thought grumpily. "I just hope my master doesn't decide to go anywhere today; I am so tired."

The messengers delivered their King's message:

"Look, a people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed."

I immediately guessed which people they were talking about: Israel, the chosen people of God. Would my master actually accept their offer? No, he would have to be a fool to agree to curse a people whom the Ruler of Heaven and Earth has already blessed. I expected my master to refuse them on the spot, but he decided to pray about it first.

In my opinion, there was no need to ask God at all, because my master knew very well that God would never allow His blessed people to be cursed. But he thought otherwise. He presented the offer to God and received the answer I expected: "Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed."

After receiving God’s answer, my master gave the messengers a firm "No," and I breathed a sigh of relief. Even if I weren't tired, I wouldn't want to go to the King of Moab. I want no part in such a wicked deed.

Nisan 22

This morning, more officials sent by Balak arrived. They pleaded with my master to go with them, promising to pay him handsomely and give him whatever he desired. His initial response made me happy:

"Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the Lord my God…"

But then, it was as if he had forgotten the answer God gave him the first time. He decided to speak with God about it again. It is clear that the reward Balak promised was stuck in his mind. Why does he think God would change His mind and allow him to curse His chosen people? God told him to go with the men, but commanded him to do only what He said.

Nisan 23

We set out early this morning. It seemed to me that my master truly wanted to fulfill Balak’s wish just to get that reward. My suspicions were confirmed when the Angel of the Lord stood in our path with a drawn sword.

I turned off the path and headed into the field. I wasn't left unpunished for it—my master beat me. But why? Does he not see the Angel standing in our way? Three times the Angel blocked our path; three times I refused to go forward, and each time my master beat me again. I realized then that he could not see the Angel.

At that moment, God gave me the ability to speak in a human voice, and I said to my master: "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?"

"Because you have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now."

"Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?"

"No," he admitted.

Then God opened his eyes, and he saw the Angel standing with sword drawn. The Angel of the LORD said to him:

"Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it"

My master repented and was ready to turn back, but the Angel commanded him to go on, repeating that he must say only what God told him.

And that is exactly what he did. Instead of cursing them, three times he blessed the enemy of Moab—the people of God.

When we returned home, I was exhausted from the journey, but I was happy. I was happy that God used me to stop the madness of my prophet-master. I am glad he did not fulfill the King of Moab’s wish and did not curse the people whom the King of Kings has blessed.

by Hripsime Mkrtchyan