There has been plenty of speculation regarding God’s sense of humour. Does He enjoy a good chuckle over the same things we do? Or perhaps there are some higher grade requirements for understanding what God deems funny. But what does God laugh at? I imagine that, after at least the first hundred times, seeing a guy tripping over a banana peel must certainly grow old.
Possibly the funniest story in the bible (in my personal opinion), and proof that God has a great sense of humour, can be found in Numbers 22:28; “Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?”
Yes, God used a donkey to speak.
And while this remains truly hilarious (we won’t get into the fact that Balaam saw it fit to answer the donkey) I’m convinced that God is still doing this today. He is still in the business of opening the mouths of donkeys everywhere.
donkey – dôNGkē
- Noun – A domesticated hoofed mammal (Equus asinus) of the horse family with long ears and a braying call; an ass.
- A stupid or foolish person.
The phrase, “If God can speak through an ass, surely he can speak through you”, is commonly used amongst Christians to inspire boldness in those afraid of public speaking or sharing their faith with others. You couldn’t find a better testimony that demonstrates that God is truly capable of using anything or anyone to speak on His behalf. I mean, surely we are more usable than a lazy four-legged grass-eating domesticated animal?
The scripture recently came to mind during a conversation about why God seems to allow certain ministers and ministries to continually preach and teach with false motives. Surely God won’t allow such injustice? Surely He will stand up and avenge His name? Wrestling with my thoughts and personal emotions, I was led to a scripture that some of us seem to have forgotten, or perhaps hid within the back pages of our Bibles; Philippians 1:18.
Paul writes, “But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.”
Then, like a thunderbolt from sky, it struck me; these people are perhaps… donkeys.
Not in the literal sense of course. But perhaps, just perhaps, these are the only people willing to be used. They just might be the only ones willing to open their mouths and speak – the only ones willing to actually say what God wants to say.
And yes, they might add a few of their own weird thoughts and have false motives – which granted is very wrong… but where are the stallions? Why should God use donkeys if there are men and woman who are perfectly capable of being used?
Perhaps you are one of the many people who openly criticize those who God uses. My challenge to you is simple; If you’re not happy with the donkey that God is using, then make yourself available to be used.