The answer is: Balaam

Num 22:21-31

The tale of Balaam and his talking donkey is truly one of the most curious stories in the Bible! Happening in Numbers 22, we find Balaam on a rather peculiar mission, attempting to curse the Israelites. As he travels, he fails to see the angel of the Lord blocking his path, but his donkey, who certainly has some heavenly insight, sees the angel and refuses to move forward!

What's fascinating is the emphasis on perception. An animal could recognize spiritual danger, while a renowned prophet—Balaam—could not. The donkey humorously makes its point by speaking to Balaam and asking why he’s beaten her for simply trying to save him from oncoming danger! This brings up the theme of enlightenment versus ignorance. Just because a person is powerful or esteemed doesn't guarantee they possess wisdom.

Interesting trivia: Balaam is mentioned not just in this Old Testament story, but also echoes in the New Testament as a symbol of greed and false prophecy. Jesus' half-brother, Jude, and Peter both refer to him to illustrate the pitfalls of seeking personal gain over righteousness! Balaam's story is also one used to remind believers of the importance of discernment in recognizing God’s warnings. Just like the donkey miraculously saw the divine message, we too are often called to look deeper into our lives to uncover where we might be missing divine signals.