August 9, 2026

UNIT 3 Lessons from Animals in the Bible

LESSON: 10

Study Text: Numbers 22:1-41; 1 Samuel 9:1 - 1 Zechariah 9:9-10:7; Zechariah 9:9-10; Matthew 21:1-10

Central Truth: God is Sovereign over His entire creation.

KEY Verse-- Mark 11:2 Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him and bring him. (KJV).

"Go into that village over there," he [Jesus] told them. "As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here" (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

Throughout history, donkeys have appeared in many stories, often providing comic relief. They are stubborn dunces in Aesop's fables and objects of scorn in Shakespeare's plays. More recently, people have laughed at Eeyore's pessimism and the goofball antics of Shrek's sidekick. With all this in mind, you might be surprised how often these creatures play important roles in the Bible.

DISCUSSION STARTER--Donkey Trivia

Mark whether the following statements are true or false.  (1). T F Donkeys have been used as beasts of burden since 4000 BC. (2). T F The smallest breed of donkey stands only two feet tall. (3). T F Donkeys are faster than horses. (4). T F Donkeys are not intelligent.

Donkeys are mentioned 137 times in the Old Testament and 10 times in the New Testament. Most of the time, they appear in lists of possessions (Genesis 12:16; Deuteronomy 5:14; Job 1:3) or in the background of travel accounts (Genesis 42:26; Exodus 4:20; Judges 1:14; 1 Kings 13:13; Luke 10:34). But there are a few times when donkeys take a more central role. 

                                                                 PART 1--Talking to a Prophet

          Unlikely Messengers                                     Numbers 22:15-30

Numbers 22 records how the Israelites moved closer to the Promised Land. King Balak of Moab knew the Israelites had just annihilated the Amorites, and he was desperate to find a way to keep them from attacking his kingdom. Instead of preparing for military conflict, he decided to engage in spiritual battle. He sent for the well-known sorcerer Balaam to travel to Moab and curse Israel. King Balak sent a group of delegates to fetch Balaam, offering a huge reward for his services (verse 15). Baalaam refused, until God released him with the instruction, "Do only what I tell you to do" (verse 20). When Balaam saddled his donkey and left the next morning., God was angry that Balaam was going." God sent the angel of the Lord to block the way, but only Balaam 's donkey could see the angel and sword.

Terrified, the donkey ran away. She stubbornly lay down under Balam. Finally, Balaam was so enraged that he beat the donkey with his staff. In an unusual twist, God did not open Balaam's eyes to see the angel, but instead "gave the donkey the ability to speak (verse 28). Balaam seemed unfazed when his donkey began speaking to him. He simply answered, blaming her for making him look like a fool. Then he admitted the donkey had a good reputation and her argument made sense. Balaam's sorcery may have been so renowned that he was in demand by kings, but he was really a fool, less perceptive than a donkey. There is no greater foolishness than denying or opposing the one true God (Psalm 14:1).

? Why do you think God chose to get Balaam's attention in this unusual way?

  Balaam's Blindness                       Numbers 22:31-38

Finally, God allowed Balaam to see what the donkey had seen all along: "the angel of the Lord standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand" (Numbers 22:31). Balaam fell to his knees as the angel rebuked him for "stubbornly resisting me" (verse 32), which implies Balaam had evil motives not made explicitly clear. It was only because the donkey ran away that the angel did not kill Balaam. When Balaam arrived at King Balak's camp, he explained that he had no power to curse Israel but would "speak only the message that God puts in my mouth." Whatever Balaam may have been planning, and whatever reason God chose to change Balaam's mind so dramatically, the results are evident. Balaam did not curse Israel. In fact, he ended up blessing them. God will bring about His plan however He chooses. In this case, He protected Israel using humble means (empowering a donkey to speak) and glorious means (sending a manifestation of His presence in the angel of the Lord). What means will He use to work in your life? And will your eyes be open to see what He is doing?

? What are some ways we can be blind to what God is doing? How can we make sure we are?

in step with the Spirit and participating in His work in the world?

PART 2--Leading to a Crown

Searching for Lost Donkeys        1 Samuel 9:1-10

Moving from Numbers 22 to 1 Samuel 9, we fast-forward about 350 years. The Israelites have settled in the promised Land, and the time of the Judges is drawing to a close. In 1 Samuel 8, the elders of Israel demanded that Samuel appoint a king God told Samuel to grant their request. Saul was Israel's first king. Saul's character, seeming to set him up as a hero. But as the story continues, the author contrasts our expectations of Saul with the reality of Saul. He is sent o a less-than glorious mission to find his father's lost donkeys, and although he searches for days, he fails. He's ready to give up and go home--not a very heroic ending--but his servant convinces him to try one last idea. They should go to the nearby town, Ramah, to consult the "man of God." Maybe the prophet could tell them where to search. Saul argues that he has no money to offer the prophet, but Saul's servant offers to pay the fee. So they set off toward the prophet's house.

? Why do you think God chooses to elevate those who are humble (James 4:6)?

  Discovering God's Plan             1 Samuel 9:11-20; 10:1

As Saul and his servant approached Ramah, they encountered some young women on their way to the well outside town (1 Samuel 9:11). God had told Samuel the day before that He would send a man from Benjamin who should be anointed as the leader of Israel (verses 15-16). When Samuel saw Saul approaching, God told the prophet, "That's the man I told you

  about! He will rule my people." Samuel delivered two prophetic messages to Saul. First, the lost donkeys had been found. Second--and much more significantly--Saul's family would be "the focus of all Israel's hopes." The next day, Samuel anointed Saul as Israel's first king. When Kish sent Saul to look for his donkeys, Saul could have had no idea where the search would lead him. He failed to find his father's donkeys, so he took his servant's advice to ask a prophet for help. He had no money, so his servant offered to pay the bill. He happened to run into Samuel at the city gate. Clearly, God's sovereign hand arranged the pieces on the board so that Saul would become king.

? Has God ever used strange circumstances to align you with His will? If so, how?

PART 3-Carrying the Messiah

      The Humble King            Zechariah 9:9

Zechariah 9:9 conveyed a message for the Israelites returning from exile and also foretold the coming Messiah. The people of Jerusalem were to rejoice, because their righteous, victorious king was about to enter the city. This king was also humble--riding on a donkey. Compare this attitude with that of David's proud, rebellious son, Absalom. In his bid to become king, he had stormed into town each morning with his chariot and horses and fifty men running ahead of him (2 Samuel 15:1). But the coming king--the true Son of David--would take a completely different approach.

.

? Why did it matter that the Messiah would be humble? 

The Son of David         Matthew 21:1-11

Matthew 21 records the beginning of Passion Week as James and the disciples reached the Mount of Olives overlooking the city. Jesus confidently directed the disciples to bring Him a donkey, and Zechariah's prophecy was filled. When the disciples brought the donkey, Jesus climbed on and headed into the city. An enormous crowd welcomed Him into town, spreading branches and clothing on the ground ahead of Him. Jesus had allowed the crowds to honor Him as the Messiah, so naturally those who heard about the incident wondered, "Who is this?" (Matthew 21:10). Word spread that He was "Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee" (verse 11). Although He had clearly fulfilled Zechariah's prophecy that day, Jesus was not the King they expected. Instead of overthrowing Rome and restoring Israel, Jesus was about to overthrow sin and restore the relationship between God and humanity.

? Read Philippians 2:6-8. How do you see this attitude of Jesus reflected in Matthew 21:1-11?

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US?

Donkeys in the Bible are consistently depicted as beasts of burden, usually showing up in stories about travel or in lists of material possessions. They are not beautiful or legal, but they are valuable and useful--especially to a God who delights in using humble vessels to display His glory. If a donkey could expose the foolishness of not fearing God . . . If a donkey could carry our Savior toward the cross and the empty tomb . . . Then surely there is a place for each of us in God's sovereign plan if we humbly submit to Him.

LIVING IT OUT

Spend some time watching documentaries about Donkeys.  You would be surprised of spiritual principals you can you learn from their God-given characteristics and behaviors? 

             DAILY BIBLE READINGS

                                    Monday: Absalom's Last Ride. 2 Samuel 18:9-15,32-33

                   Tuesday: On a king's Mule. 1 kings 1:32-38

                                             Wednesday: Even a Donkey Knows Its Master. Isaiah 1:2-4

                               Thursday: Generous Compassion. Luke 10:30-37

                              Friday: Set Free on the Sabbath. Luke 13:10-17

                                Saturday: Rebuked by a Donkey. 2 Peter 2:12-16

RADIANT LIFE

Volume 107 Number 3 Mar. Apr. May 2026

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