Balaam and His Talking Donkey

    By Tania Potter

    Balaam and His Talking Donkey cover image

    14 Aug, 2024

    a cartoon of a man with a beard and a beard standing in front of a group of people in a rocky area, space art, a comic book panel, Edward George Handel Lucas, graphic novel

    Once upon a time, in a faraway land, lived a wise man named Balaam. People often sought his advice as he could see the future.

    a painting of a man in a red robe and crown standing in front of a group of men in desert like outfits, excessivism, a detailed drawing, De Hirsh Margules, detailed illustration

    One day, the king of Moab sent messengers to Balaam. They carried a request - for Balaam to curse the Israelites.

    a man in a robe standing in front of a window with a light shining on him and a lamp in his hand, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Christophe Vacher, radiant light

    Balaam sought guidance from God. God instructed him not to go with the messengers.

    a painting of a man walking with a donkey in a village with palm trees and a man in a robe, neoism, a storybook illustration, Andries Both, detailed illustration

    The king sent more messengers with gifts. This time, God allowed Balaam to go but instructed him to only say what He tells him.

    a man in a white robe is standing next to a horse and a building with pillars and pillars on it, neoism, a storybook illustration, Esaias Boursse, detailed illustration

    So, Balaam saddled his donkey, pondering over God's words, and began the journey towards the king's palace.

    a man standing next to a horse on a dirt road near a forest with trees and a man in a robe, primitivism, a storybook illustration, Edward George Handel Lucas, western comic book art

    As they traveled, the donkey suddenly stopped and veered off the path. Balaam was confused and struck the donkey to get her back on the road.

    a donkey with a man on it's back walking down a road with a car behind it and a truck behind it, incoherents, a storybook illustration, Brothers Hildebrandt, official art

    The donkey lay down on the road, refusing to move. Balaam, now angry, struck her again. To his astonishment, the donkey spoke, 'Why are you hitting me? Have I ever done this before?'

    a cartoon of two men with wings and a sword in their hands, one of them is holding a sword, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Drew Struzan, detailed illustration

    Balaam was taken aback! Then, he saw an angel standing in their path, sword drawn. The angel revealed that the donkey had saved his life by stopping.

    a painting of two men with sword and goat in front of a mountain landscape with rocks and a mountain, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Brothers Hildebrandt, radiant light

    The angel instructed Balaam to continue his journey but only to say what God had told him. Balaam thanked his donkey for saving him and continued on his way.

    a man in a robe walking with two donkeys on a path in a field with mountains in the background, synthetism, a comic book panel, Colin Middleton, official art

    Balaam and his donkey resumed their journey, with the angel watching over them. The landscape was serene, reflecting the peace that had descended upon them.

    a painting of a man in a crown and robes standing in front of a crowd of people in a building, excessivism, a detailed drawing, Edmund Leighton, detailed illustration

    When Balaam finally reached the king, he didn’t curse the Israelites. Instead, he blessed them, much to the king's surprise.

    a man in a red robe standing in a room with other men in orange robes and gold trims, unilalianism, a detailed drawing, Adam Saks, high detail illustration

    Balaam told the king that he could only speak what God had instructed him. It was a lesson of faith and obedience.

    two men walking down a dirt road with donkeys in hand and a sunset in the background behind them, incoherents, a storybook illustration, Brothers Hildebrandt, official art

    Having fulfilled his task, Balaam and his donkey returned home safely. Their journey had been a remarkable one.

    a painting of two men walking with two donkeys in a village with stone buildings and a sky background, incoherents, a storybook illustration, Brothers Hildebrandt, detailed illustration

    From that day on, Balaam was known as the man who listened to God and loved his faithful donkey. His story was a testament to faith and obedience.

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