The Wisdom Of A Talking Donkey Series

"Wisdom of a Talking Donkey"

2 Peter2:10b-16 / Jude 8-11

Sermon for 2/22/26

Pastor John Bright

Laurel Hill GMC

2 Peter 2 “10…They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, 11 whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, 13 and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, 14 having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. 15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet.

Jude “8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.” NKJV

In 2001, the movie “Shrek” was released. It’s an animated comedy that became a favorite among many folks. A favorite character in the movie is a talking donkey – who talks all the time! I wonder where they came up with the idea of a donkey that would annoy the main character, who is on a journey? Oh wait – I know! The Bible.

In Numbers 22, the Israelites traveled near the kingdom of the Moabites. Their king, Balak, sends for a seer/diviner to curse the Israelites. Balaam, referred to as a prophet in 2 Peter 2, has several conversations with God and is following His directions. Then something changes in the story. In the past, the Jews considered Balaam’s real motivation to be greed, not serving God.

As Balaam is riding his donkey to meet King Balak, the Lord sends an angel with a sword to block his path. The donkey sees the angel and protects Balaam by stopping or moving to the side. All these actions cause Balaam to become angry and beat the donkey. Here’s what happens next: Numbers 22:30-33 “30 So the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?” And he said, “No.”

31 Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face. 32 And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me. 33 The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live.”

We will come back to this later.

Angels and demons are real, 2 Peter 210b-13a Jude 8-10

2 Peter “They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, 11 whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, 13 and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime.”

Jude ““8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves.”