But the donkey said to Balaam, ‘Am I not your donkey, which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I been in the habit of treating you this way?’ And he said, ‘No.’ (Numbers 22:30)
THE Bible is full of references to animals. Sometimes stories, sometimes imagery. Often using animal characteristics to encourage humans to behave differently. We are animals ourselves, and the phrase “behaving like animals” may be more of an insult to non-humans than it is to humans.
As the supposed “highest” of the animal kingdom, we have far less excuse for behaving as we so often do. Having animals speak with human language reminds us that the stories aren’t to be taken literally but such stories still contain truth.