Few things bring more delight to a Sunday School class of pre-teen boys than a conversation about Balaam’s ass.

You really should read the story in the King James Version. The ass plays a prominent role. Balaam saddled his ass, then rode his ass, and later smote his ass.

After a beating, the ass talked back. Am I not thine ass, upon which thou has ridden ever since I was to this day? A talking ass—who knew the Bible could be so fun? I knew it’s juvenile, but it’s hard not to grin even now.

Of course, the story gets better because an angel of the Lord stands in the road, which apparently asses can see but prophets cannot, ready to lop off their heads. Balaam’s eyes are opened and the unlikely message-bearer vindicated—his ass saved his ass.

Which brings me to my point.

As smart and wise as I consider myself, I miss things. Often big things. I ride along in my own world lacking the awareness necessary to grow and thrive and sometimes even survive. I need people speaking into my life even when—or especially when—it’s inconvenient.

Asses see angels, prophets do not. Thus endth the lesson.

Numbers 22 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Laura Gariglio