The Mighty Call of a Donkey..

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,752
6,915
113
#41
Maybe because it is written, "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." Numbers 22:33
Thank you.......... I am going to file this particular Scripture away for "future use" when certain arguments break out...........course, the she-ass wasn't a jack but a jenny-ass....... :)

Again, thanks
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,752
6,915
113
#42
Nothing in the scriptures infer the donkey was a jack. A donkey, which can be referred unto as an 'ass' is a species not a a gender.



Ever living creature has a spirit yet only man created in the image and likeness of the LORD has the ability to speak (communicate using the word). So no everything doesn't speak.

Only man created in the image and likeness of the LORD has can speak using their voice (communicating using the audible word)

And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. Deut 4:12
Ok, now I'm confused again.................was that ass a jack or a jenny?

:)
 

Lillywolf

Well-known member
Aug 29, 2018
1,562
543
113
#43
Just be careful dabbling with those extra canonical books: Enoch - Jubilees - etc. There are reasons they were left out of accepted Christian literature. Enoch is where they get nephilim are angels mating with humans. The word nephilim simply means bully or brutish. Only one spirit is able to impregnate a human and that only happened once (the HS - Jesus).
In Genesis 6 the scripture tells us, not using the Nephillim word, that the sons of God went into the daughters of mankind. The Book of Enoch is available on the Net. We can do a cross comparison of the BoE and the Bible canon of books and find that the Apostles and even Jesus quoted from it.

Do we actually know why the BoE was omitted from the canon?


 

Zmouth

Senior Member
Nov 21, 2012
3,391
134
63
#44
Thank you.......... I am going to file this particular Scripture away for "future use" when certain arguments break out...........course, the she-ass wasn't a jack but a jenny-ass....... :)

Again, thanks
Ok, now I'm confused again.................was that ass a jack or a jenny?

:)
A male donkey is a jack, a female donkey is a jenny. It is the one without the forked tail :unsure:
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,752
6,915
113
#45
I'm going with jenny, or, jennet..........I like jennet better I think
 

Scrobulous

Active member
Sep 17, 2018
290
73
28
#47
I woke up thinking about a donkey, lol, actually about a specific donkey, Balaam's Jack Arse.

My first thought was, no wonder people don't believe the word. I know, my momentary feelings of disbelief are shameful. I get it. Bare with me please, it's just that I thought, “come on, donkey's don't have the anatomy for speech, even if they had the ability to reason”. The way their jaws and mouths operate, it is impossible. If this story isn't true, then how can any of the bible be true? I have moments like these, reading things that seem just too far fetched, like when I read about nephlims.

When these skeptical thoughts surface, I stop dead in my tracks of doubt. I attempt to reason instead. Maybe, He just telepathically heard thoughts of the donkey, or maybe this or maybe that. Nooooo, this is not how my faith is to work. I don't accept Him or the history of events shared in His word, based on my ability to substantiate or fathom the possibility. I am to believe, period, end of story.

I do accept that the angel of God made it possible for the creature to talk, so that Balaam would be compelled to give a blessing. I think we can take another cool component out of this information about His creatures. I think this speaks to the awareness of animals, even their intelligence. I do think animals will be a part of the Heavenly design. I know folks believe that the animals told of, in that glorious estate to come, are just symbolic. I think that with some it may be true, but not completely, not all. I know He made animals for us and for each other other. More importantly, He,having all He ever needs, made everything for His pleasure, including animals with their own set of possibilities.

Yes, I find the story of Balaam and His donkey of awareness and communication interesting, and hard to imagine. However, I take great pleasure in seeing His power, using the lesser of beings, ones not made for such things, to show things mighty and worthy. I think it also demonstrates the mercy and connection He shares with all His creation. I love how the donkey's role in the word has been super substantial. Upon the back of one rode our Mary as they, her and Joseph, were looking for a place to have their baby, our King. Amazingly, this Majestic and Worthy King, our Lord and Savior, also set upon a donkey, as He entered the city of Jerusalem, boldly demonstrating His beautiful heart and mind of a humble servant. We often ponder are we called, do we matter? Can we really make a difference for our Lord? I think the answer is not only found in the mighty men and women's accounts given in the bible. We see even the simple minded, so called lowly, animals being called by God for a prestigious job of honor. How inspiring it is knowing that even stubborn creatures like donkeys have callings. May we all answer His call.
Great post!
You should not be ashamed of your honesty.
I work the other way around from you.
I say since the bible is true and God is God, then everything can be explained. I have no fear of asking questions and putting every line to the test!
Even the really crazy stuff has a purpose.
I remember having problems with all kinds of scriptures; the virgin birth, joshuas long day, balaams ass (I have a post on it) but in every case you realise that since God has such power, things like this are really not a problem.
But I did wonder why God told such crazy stories. After all, he didn’t have to. It was like he was deliberately trying to insult our intelligence.
I concluded that by telling these stories he tests our heart. Will we put our reason and our intelligence above everything else? Will we call God a liar or consider an alternative?
God does not ask us to abandon reason. There is no conflict between science and religion. It is quite reasonable and logical that if there is a God, he can do these things.
If you think about it, everything is miraculous. The only difference between a miracle and a normal event is how often they happen. Miracles happen once, because God wants to make a point. The rest of the time the miracle of the laws of nature, that God made, are operating.
Like you, I am fully convinced that heaven will be full of animals.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
#48
Nothing in the scriptures infer the donkey was a jack. A donkey, which can be referred unto as an 'ass' is a species not a a gender.



Ever living creature has a spirit yet only man created in the image and likeness of the LORD has the ability to speak (communicate using the word). So no everything doesn't speak.

Only man created in the image and likeness of the LORD has can speak using their voice (communicating using the audible word)

And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. Deut 4:12
You really should not make comments when you lack knowledge.....and ALL my cited examples are validated.......and yes...EVERYTHING speaks.........or maybe you are too dense to understand the context of that statement and how it is applied to their own languages.....no wonder I rarely respond to you....like talking to a brick wall.....

Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

But Jesus answered, "I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!"

Clicks are used to sense their surroundings through echolocation, while they use whistles to communicate with other members of their species and very likely, with other species too. It is also thought that each dolphin has a unique whistle called a 'signature whistle', which is used to identify an individual.

Bird communication using sound includes singing, calls, squeaks, squawks, gurgles, warbles, trills, rattles, gulps, pops, whines, clicks, croaks, drums, whistles, howls, tremolos, thumps, honks and many other sorts of sounds. ... These are often a combination of behaviors and the feathers on thebird's body.

Calls. Crows have more than 20 calls. The most common, a harsh caw, has several qualities and lengths that may serve different purposes. Immature begging young American Crows give a higher-pitched, nasal call that can sound like a Fish Crow

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOr5ETxt9RtBlxqAI264qiw

I could burn this thread to the ground with cited examples of animals, birds, insects etc. and how they communicate.......
 

CharliRenee

Member
Staff member
Nov 4, 2014
6,693
7,177
113
#49
Great post!
You should not be ashamed of your honesty.
I work the other way around from you.
I say since the bible is true and God is God, then everything can be explained. I have no fear of asking questions and putting every line to the test!
Even the really crazy stuff has a purpose.
I remember having problems with all kinds of scriptures; the virgin birth, joshuas long day, balaams ass (I have a post on it) but in every case you realise that since God has such power, things like this are really not a problem.
But I did wonder why God told such crazy stories. After all, he didn’t have to. It was like he was deliberately trying to insult our intelligence.
I concluded that by telling these stories he tests our heart. Will we put our reason and our intelligence above everything else? Will we call God a liar or consider an alternative?
God does not ask us to abandon reason. There is no conflict between science and religion. It is quite reasonable and logical that if there is a God, he can do these things.
If you think about it, everything is miraculous. The only difference between a miracle and a normal event is how often they happen. Miracles happen once, because God wants to make a point. The rest of the time the miracle of the laws of nature, that God made, are operating.
Like you, I am fully convinced that heaven will be full of animals.
Hey, you know what? I think very much like you, actually, in the way that I keep asking questions. I agree... God is a God of order and anything science finds is merely Man stumbling onto Gods creation; but when I seem to come up with zip, I put a pin in it, and tell myself that ultimately it is because He says it is, hoping with further info or someday, it will all make perfect sense. I get so full of questions that I tend to lean on wanting to understand, to the point that I feel I'm insisting He explain. After all, how am I suppose to buy into somethings that goes against the laws of nature He created. I must always remember He is Supernatural. That He made those Laws, but He dwells outside them, and in them. You know, I appreciate, lots, how your mind works, that you want to know and that you ask questions.

These though, BAM, hit home, thank you....

Will we put our reason and our intelligence above everything else? Will we call God a liar or consider an alternative?
 

CharliRenee

Member
Staff member
Nov 4, 2014
6,693
7,177
113
#50
In Genesis 6 the scripture tells us, not using the Nephillim word, that the sons of God went into the daughters of mankind. The Book of Enoch is available on the Net. We can do a cross comparison of the BoE and the Bible canon of books and find that the Apostles and even Jesus quoted from it.

Do we actually know why the BoE was omitted from the canon?


You are so cool in your studies. I wonder why Enoch was not canonized, and others, maybe not enough other info to cross reference it? And this Gif has me smiling.
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#51
In Genesis 6 the scripture tells us, not using the Nephillim word, that the sons of God went into the daughters of mankind. The Book of Enoch is available on the Net. We can do a cross comparison of the BoE and the Bible canon of books and find that the Apostles and even Jesus quoted from it.

Do we actually know why the BoE was omitted from the canon?


Yes sons of god as those led by the Spirit of God are the beleivers having relations with Daughter of men (tall), natural unconverted mankind .(no faith) The sons of God not led by the Spirit of God as those who left their first place of habitation do not come into defining that portion of scripture .

Teaching not being unevenly yoked putting the spiritual seed Christ in jeopardy until the Son of man did come.

Not sure what the non cannon book of Enoch would have to do with it? It does not mention a book but prophecy. The Holy Spirit reveals that prophecy. Why as it would seem go above that which is written and widen the authority of God word?
 

Lillywolf

Well-known member
Aug 29, 2018
1,562
543
113
#52
You are so cool in your studies. I wonder why Enoch was not canonized, and others, maybe not enough other info to cross reference it? And this Gif has me smiling.
I know. That is the most precious gif. How could you not cuddle a precious little donkey like that? Sooooo cute.

I don't know that we'll ever be privy to the definitive cause for the Book of Enoch omission from the canon. We're just told that the holy spirit did not lead those in charge of determining what writings worthy to appoint the BoE as such.
And yet, it arrives as a question among those who do consider what are the Apocrypha, the non-canonical books, which were actually published in the King James version of the Bible in 1611, will God later judge those who judged what God actually did inspire to be recorded in the mortal written record as unworthy of that authoritative category of "canon of scripture" ?

" It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” " Jude 1:14-15 New Testament Book

That is one scripture taken from the canonical scriptures in our New Testament.
Then we learn of the 1 Enoch scripture due to the excavation of the Dead Sea Scrolls unearthed in 1787 in Ethiopia that was then found to produce what we today call, 1 Enoch, or "The Book of Enoch". I should say here that the DSS are not the Nag Hammadi Codices, also known as the "Gnostic Gospels". The NHC are not nearly as old.

"And behold! He cometh with ten thousands of holy ones to execute judgement upon all, and to destroy [all] the ungodly: and to convict all flesh of all the works [of their ungodliness] which they have ungodly committed, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners [have spoken] against Him. " Enoch 1:9

Where did Jude arrive at his prophecy when it is so similar to the Book of Enoch? When Scholars determined that the BoE was used by the faithful before what is known as "the church age". (what is the church age? - Article from, what Christians want to know)
Precise dates for the church age are not uniformly agreed upon. However, when the Book of Enoch was able to be translated around 1948 or so, years after discovery of the scrolls, it was determined there were evidences of it being in use among the faithful to God before the church age and roughly at 200 B.C. .

I personally think the book was omitted from the canon due to its references to angels, what we today would call ET's, and their interaction with the human race. Among other points that would seem contentious to the formula that was unfolding in the patterning of the canon process.
Again, that's just my thought. You can find the Book of Enoch on-line and if you so choose read it for yourself to arrive at your conclusions. :) What I did was read it and compare how it would comport with the teachings in both the canon testaments.

That's why I think it was omitted because it in total is decidedly different than the running theme in both testaments. And yet, what is interesting is, as mentioned earlier, Jesus and the Apostles quotes from the BoE were allowed into the New Testament canon. While the source of those quotes was deemed unworthy of being there too.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,752
6,915
113
#53
You think ole Balaam read Bray.........l?

:)
 

Zmouth

Senior Member
Nov 21, 2012
3,391
134
63
#54
You really should not make comments when you lack knowledge....
I guess that was intended as a shot against me but if you equate the ability of the flesh to produce audible sound to the ability of the spirit to communicate by light then you really don't put much value in the Word.

.....and yes...EVERYTHING speaks........
So your God inspired you to say everyting speaks, :)

I could burn this thread to the ground with cited examples of animals, birds, insects etc. and how they communicate.......
Yes but can you cite any example of how the Holy Ghost communicates with those in the flesh who are born of water and Spirit?
 

Zmouth

Senior Member
Nov 21, 2012
3,391
134
63
#55
I wonder why Enoch was not canonized...
One reason might be because it wasn't written until the 1800's.

Another reason might be that it contained 'heavenly things' which Enoch wouldn't have know of until after he was not, for God took him. So if it contained information of heavenly things which Enoch could not have known until he was not, for God took him then how did Enoch get his book back to earth for man to discover? And what exactly happened to the original writings of Enoch which are the basis for the Book of Enoch to be legitimate since after Enoch's time of 365 had passed that he walked with God and was not; for God took him.

But of course there is that matter of mankind not being able to write the written spoken word because the written spoken word hadn't been written, but of course the Word was written and dwelt amongst us full of grace and truth but men loved darkness more than light.
 

HeraldtheNews

Well-known member
Apr 26, 2012
1,550
437
83
66
#56
I woke up thinking about a donkey, lol, actually about a specific donkey, Balaam's Jack Arse.

My first thought was, no wonder people don't believe the word. I know, my momentary feelings of disbelief are shameful. I get it. Bare with me please, it's just that I thought, “come on, donkey's don't have the anatomy for speech, even if they had the ability to reason”. The way their jaws and mouths operate, it is impossible. If this story isn't true, then how can any of the bible be true? I have moments like these, reading things that seem just too far fetched, like when I read about nephlims.

When these skeptical thoughts surface, I stop dead in my tracks of doubt. I attempt to reason instead. Maybe, He just telepathically heard thoughts of the donkey, or maybe this or maybe that. Nooooo, this is not how my faith is to work. I don't accept Him or the history of events shared in His word, based on my ability to substantiate or fathom the possibility. I am to believe, period, end of story.

I do accept that the angel of God made it possible for the creature to talk, so that Balaam would be compelled to give a blessing. I think we can take another cool component out of this information about His creatures. I think this speaks to the awareness of animals, even their intelligence. I do think animals will be a part of the Heavenly design. I know folks believe that the animals told of, in that glorious estate to come, are just symbolic. I think that with some it may be true, but not completely, not all. I know He made animals for us and for each other other. More importantly, He,having all He ever needs, made everything for His pleasure, including animals with their own set of possibilities.

Yes, I find the story of Balaam and His donkey of awareness and communication interesting, and hard to imagine. However, I take great pleasure in seeing His power, using the lesser of beings, ones not made for such things, to show things mighty and worthy. I think it also demonstrates the mercy and connection He shares with all His creation. I love how the donkey's role in the word has been super substantial. Upon the back of one rode our Mary as they, her and Joseph, were looking for a place to have their baby, our King. Amazingly, this Majestic and Worthy King, our Lord and Savior, also set upon a donkey, as He entered the city of Jerusalem, boldly demonstrating His beautiful heart and mind of a humble servant. We often ponder are we called, do we matter? Can we really make a difference for our Lord? I think the answer is not only found in the mighty men and women's accounts given in the bible. We see even the simple minded, so called lowly, animals being called by God for a prestigious job of honor. How inspiring it is knowing that even stubborn creatures like donkeys have callings. May we all answer His call.
that's a great story you shared there, CharliRenee, and most people can relate to moments of doubting-- it can seem to overtake us at times, but they tend to fade away over time. I remember reading that in the Bible, and, it's a pretty scary account, really, when you remember that the Angel was so angered by Balaam's madness and hitting the animal, that he had a sword drawn over him ready to slay him, if I remember the verses. If God barely restrained the Angel for the sake of a prophet's madness, how long will He restrain His wrath when a man hits a woman or child? Or someone else abuses a vulnerable person in some way.

I remember reading in a study Bible though, that there are Christians who study the Bible literally, and the study Bible mentioned something about allegory or symbolism in the Bible, not that I could say what that means or how it applies. It does matter how the bible is interpreted. I do believe without any doubt, that when Peter stepped out of the boat, it was actual water-- not a symbolic story. But water is an amazing miracle in this world! I think there is a documentary about it-- "The water planet?"
And when Israel walked through the sea, there were actual walls of water on each side, without a doubt--
What an exciting event it must have been--!

and, er...don't want to correct a sistah in the Lord, but-- the ah, correct spelling there is "bear with me..." i think...could be wrong--
probably not a good time for an English class, but...
i was runner up iin a spelling bee once... the winner, Lynn, she definitely was a hhigher--keyboard again-- speller, and went to the state competition.
I remember watching a championship on television once; Idon't recall what the event was, but it involved a summer acrobatic competition, maybe bikes or skateboards? where the athlete completed one of those unbelievable new triple or 4-loopers that they said couldn't be done. they said that even one split-second of doubt, and the whole perfection maneuver would come crashing down--
I was wondering the same thing-- was the donkey actually given speech? or was it like you said, appearing to speak?
regardless, agreed that Angels are powerful--
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
#57
One reason might be because it wasn't written until the 1800's.

Another reason might be that it contained 'heavenly things' which Enoch wouldn't have know of until after he was not, for God took him. So if it contained information of heavenly things which Enoch could not have known until he was not, for God took him then how did Enoch get his book back to earth for man to discover? And what exactly happened to the original writings of Enoch which are the basis for the Book of Enoch to be legitimate since after Enoch's time of 365 had passed that he walked with God and was not; for God took him.

But of course there is that matter of mankind not being able to write the written spoken word because the written spoken word hadn't been written, but of course the Word was written and dwelt amongst us full of grace and truth but men loved darkness more than light.
Some of your answer take the cake man.........
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
#58
I guess that was intended as a shot against me but if you equate the ability of the flesh to produce audible sound to the ability of the spirit to communicate by light then you really don't put much value in the Word.



So your God inspired you to say everyting speaks, :)



Yes but can you cite any example of how the Holy Ghost communicates with those in the flesh who are born of water and Spirit?
More flippant responses above........like I said....a brick wall......
 

theanointedwinner

Well-known member
Nov 6, 2018
2,058
1,125
113
#59
why does the idea of making a "leap of faith" sometimes feels like it's risking "self-deception"? or "willful self-deception"?
 

CharliRenee

Member
Staff member
Nov 4, 2014
6,693
7,177
113
#60
that's a great story you shared there, CharliRenee, and most people can relate to moments of doubting-- it can seem to overtake us at times, but they tend to fade away over time. I remember reading that in the Bible, and, it's a pretty scary account, really, when you remember that the Angel was so angered by Balaam's madness and hitting the animal, that he had a sword drawn over him ready to slay him, if I remember the verses. If God barely restrained the Angel for the sake of a prophet's madness, how long will He restrain His wrath when a man hits a woman or child? Or someone else abuses a vulnerable person in some way.

I remember reading in a study Bible though, that there are Christians who study the Bible literally, and the study Bible mentioned something about allegory or symbolism in the Bible, not that I could say what that means or how it applies. It does matter how the bible is interpreted. I do believe without any doubt, that when Peter stepped out of the boat, it was actual water-- not a symbolic story. But water is an amazing miracle in this world! I think there is a documentary about it-- "The water planet?"
And when Israel walked through the sea, there were actual walls of water on each side, without a doubt--
What an exciting event it must have been--!

and, er...don't want to correct a sistah in the Lord, but-- the ah, correct spelling there is "bear with me..." i think...could be wrong--
probably not a good time for an English class, but...
i was runner up iin a spelling bee once... the winner, Lynn, she definitely was a hhigher--keyboard again-- speller, and went to the state competition.
I remember watching a championship on television once; Idon't recall what the event was, but it involved a summer acrobatic competition, maybe bikes or skateboards? where the athlete completed one of those unbelievable new triple or 4-loopers that they said couldn't be done. they said that even one split-second of doubt, and the whole perfection maneuver would come crashing down--
I was wondering the same thing-- was the donkey actually given speech? or was it like you said, appearing to speak?
regardless, agreed that Angels are powerful--
First of all I welcome spelling and grammar correction, I like learning. So thank you. Can I just say that I enjoyed reading this very much!!!! Thank you for taking the time.