It’s true, we know about the unicorns, and now a talking donkey comes into scripture!
Donkeys play a surprisingly important role in God’s plan on earth.
Jesus and his followers were coming closer to Jerusalem. But first they stopped at Bethphage at the hill called the Mount of Olives. From there Jesus sent two of his followers into town. 2 He said to them, “Go to the town you can see there. When you enter it, you will find a donkey with her colt. Untie them both and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks you why you are taking the donkeys, tell them, The Master needs them. He will send them back soon.’”
4 This showed the full meaning of what the prophet said:
5 “Tell the people of Zion,
‘Now your king is coming to you.
He is humble and riding on a donkey.
He is riding on a young donkey, born from a work animal.’”
6 The followers went and did what Jesus told them to do. 7 They brought the mother donkey and the young donkey to him. They covered the donkeys with their coats, and Jesus sat on them. 8 On the way to Jerusalem, many people spread their coats on the road for Jesus. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Some of the people were walking ahead of Jesus. Others were walking behind him. They all shouted,
“Praise to the Son of David!
‘Welcome! God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Praise to God in heaven!”
From Matthew 21.
Here is the prophecy that Jesus fulfilled by humbling himself and riding the donkey into town.
The Coming of Zion’s King
9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah 9:9
I have completed my study of the Book of Numbers, and there is a story about God opening the mouth of a donkey to speak. The owner of the donkey is Balaam. He is considered a prophet. God has told him not to go to Balak, who wants to kill the Israelites. He does delay, but then decides to go, and meets with the donkey he has owned since childhood, who is able to speak to him.
21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
22 And God’s anger was kindled because he went; and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
23 And the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand; and the ass turned aside out of the way and went into the field; and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
24 But the angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
25 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall; and he smote her again.
26 And the angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam; and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, “What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?”
29 And Balaam said unto the ass, “Because thou hast mocked me. I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.”
30 And the ass said unto Balaam, “Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? Was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, “Nay.”
31 Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed down his head and fell flat on his face.
32 And the angel of the Lord said unto him, “Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? Behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me.
33 And the ass saw me and turned from me these three times; unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.”
34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.”
Numbers 22:21-34, KJV
I want to add to this my own experience with animals. They seem to communicate in English to me when sending thoughts my way. I have always found this fascinating. In the ancient Book of Jubilees (which I have not yet read), there is a thought that in the Garden of Eden all animals had language. This tests as 60% true, so perhaps some of the animals did interact by speaking with each other and with Adam and Eve.