Never Argue with a Donkey
(Numbers 22)
No fool, that donkey. She stopped right in her tracks. As for Balaam, he was oblivious to the angel and sword, so he began beating her. So God permitted the donkey to speak, and she used her gift to ask Balaam why he was beating her. There is no record that she asked him to stop; only that she asked why. Balaam explained that he was beating her because she was uncooperative. He added that if he had a sword he’d go one better and kill her.
Funny he should bring up swords. At that moment, God revealed the angel, sword and all, to Balaam. Whereupon Balaam did the honorable thing. He groveled before the angel.
Here’s the confusing part. If your donkey started arguing with you, do you suppose you would argue back as Balaam did? Or would you say “Holy crap, a talking donkey,” put together an act, take it on the road, and make a fortune?