I used to drive a 1977 VW bus that was painted all over with flowers, peace signs and hand prints on the back. I was never much of a mechanic, but to drive an old bus like that you need to know a few things. My wife bought me the book How to Keep your Volkswagen Alive by John Muir, which is sort of the VW owner’s bible. The introduction begins with a quote I think from Proverbs but I haven’t found it yet. “Come to kindly terms with your Ass for it bears you.” If it isn’t in the Bible, it should be. I thought of that verse when I read the story of Balaam and his donkey.

Before we get to the part about the donkey, we need to know a little about Balaam and the origin of this story. “Balaam was a relatively well-known legendary visionary associated with Transjordan. In fact, the biblical story here is composite, combining variant traditions about Balaam.” (NRSV New Oxford Annotated Bible notes). This explains the confusion at the beginning of the story in which Balaam seems to change his mind back and forth about whether or not to prophesy for King Balak against Israel. It is also interesting to note that this story was composed after the people of Israel had been settled in the land. There are references to the King (of Israel) as well as names of a later king of Amalek in Balaam’s last oracle. (Numbers 24:7 and NRSV Oxford Annotated Bible notes).

One general assumption Lutherans have, according to the book, Opening the Book of Faith, is that the way the Bible has come to us in its present form is the way that God has intended it to be. I’m not sure I totally agree with that assumption, except in the sense that it is what it is, but I do believe that the editor who put these story fragments together to create the story as it appears in the Bible did so skillfully and intentionally to tell us something about God and human nature. It is up to us to figure what God is saying to us through the scripture.

What does it mean that Balaam first refused to prophesy, than agreed, on the understanding that he could only prophesy as God told him? It could be that God changed God’s mind as often happens in these Old Testament Bible stories, God being portrayed in such human terms. But it could also reflect Balaam’s human struggle, choosing between God’s will and his own desire. After all, Balaam could have received a rich reward for prophesying against King Balak’s enemy. When facing those same struggles, we, too, can go to great lengths to convince ourselves that what we want is God’s will.

The confusing part is why God would finally allow Balaam to go, but then send an angel to block his way. Again, this is because the story of Balaam and the donkey comes from a different tradition than the previous passages, one presenting Balaam in a positive light and the other in a more negative light. Read in its present form, one could say that God is further testing Balaam, humbling him so that he will be faithful in his prophesy.

A contemporary reader could make a connection between one’s relationship with God and one’s relationship with God’s creation, particularly, with animals. Would it change our relationship with animals if we were to pay attention to the many examples in the Bible in which animals play a role in accomplishing God’s word and will? I believe that our relationships with God, each other and all of creation are intricately connected. As Jesus would say later in the Bible, “Just as you did it to the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40 NRSV). Native American Sioux have a reverent expression that reminds them of their connection to the Great Spirit, fellow humans, animals and all of creation. They say, “All my relations.” So, again, “Come to kindly terms with your Ass for it bears you.”

Balaam’s Donkey said, “Am I not your donkey, which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I been in the habit of treating you this way?” (Numbers 22:30NRSV). Balaam answered, “No.” Balaam was humbled by his own donkey who perceived the angel in the road when he did not. We have known remarkable stories as well as scientific observation attesting to the intelligence and compassion of animals. This story, while legendary in nature, is certainly consistent with the remarkable stories of animals that have rescued and cared for humans throughout the ages. Balaam’s eyes were opened and he saw the angel who then challenged him. “Why have you struck your donkey? If it had not turned away from me, surely just now I would have killed you and let it live.” Balaam was brought to confession, and once again the Angel let him go but warned him to “speak only what I tell you.” (22:35)

I can’t help wondering whether the donkey spoke in the voice of Eddie Murphy in the movie “Shrek”, or in the voice of Eeyore from “Winnie-the-Pooh.” Either way, the donkey is not really the main point of the story, although, that is what I remember most about the story from Sunday school.

In order to hear the main point, I think, we should lighten up and simply enjoy the humor of the story. My poetry professor, Nelson Bentley, from the University of Washington, told the class never to miss the humor in the Bible. The story of Balaam is hilarious. The donkey is funny, but the real comedy comes when King Balak tries to get Balaam to give him favorable prophesies against the Israelites. He keeps taking Balaam to another location, as though a different view of the Israelite people would change Balaam’s mind about them. “So Balak said to Balaam, “Come now, I will take you to another place; perhaps it will please God that you may curse them for me from there.” The story teller is making fun of Balak. But Balaam continues to speak God’s word in favor of the Israelites.

Balak grew continually more agitated, again to great comic effect. I think of Monty Python’s “Cheese Shop” episode in which the proper Englishman finally looses his cool or Kermit the Frog on the Muppet show when everything goes wrong. “Then Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but instead you have blessed them these three times. Now be off with you! Go home!” (Numbers 24:11)

So, what is the main point of the story? The God of the Israelites is more powerful than other gods. Even a foreign visionary when hired to speak against Israel prophesied in favor of them. Ironically, when the Israelites fought and won against the Midianites, “they also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.” (Numbers 31:8). Go figure.