The Talking Donkey at Christmas

At the pre-Christmas gathering for students of the Certificate in Biblical Studies (CBS), one of the highlights was a Bible quiz game. A particularly intriguing question left everyone stumped: "In which book of the Bible do we find a talking donkey?" To the surprise of many, the correct answer turned out to be the Book of Numbers.

This book, incidentally, will be the focus of the upcoming City on a Hill Bible Festival 4 (Diocese of Cubao) on January 25, 2025.

The story centers on Balaam, a pagan prophet hired to curse Israel. On his journey, his donkey—traditionally regarded as one of the simplest and least intelligent animals—perceives a divine messenger blocking the path, while Balaam remains oblivious. In a moment of divine intervention, the donkey speaks, prompting Balaam to recognize God’s will. Instead of cursing Israel, he blesses them, delivering a prophecy about a star rising from Jacob (Numbers 24:17), which later inspired Matthew’s account of the star that guided the Magi to the newborn King.

Remarkably, the historical existence of Balaam is supported by inscriptions found at Deir Alla in modern-day Jordan. These ancient texts, dated to around the 8th century BCE, describe Balaam as a “seer of the gods,” attesting to his reputation beyond the Bible as a non-Israelite prophet. The Deir Alla inscriptions offer a fascinating glimpse into the broader cultural and religious milieu of the ancient Near East, where even outsiders could sometimes serve as instruments of divine revelation.

Isaiah’s words add further depth to the donkey’s role: “The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger” (Isaiah 1:3). The humble donkey, like the star, becomes an unlikely yet profound witness to the Good News, leading others to recognize God’s presence.

As you set up your Nativity scene this Christmas, don’t overlook the donkey. Though it no longer speaks, its message is timeless: God often uses the lowly and unexpected to reveal His greatest plans. Like the star in the heavens, the donkey at the manger silently points us to the joy of Christ’s birth.