[Pastor Rune Enoe]

I've just received an autographed version of Pastor Deacon Fred's excellent thesis, Donkeys Can Talk, People Can Fly, And A Man Named Jesus Lives Up In The Sky!l Glory!

I can't wait reading it to my youngest nephew, but you know how inquisitive young people are today. Once he learns about talking donkeys, he'll want to know all about talking animals. I don't want to look silly, so I pulled out my trusty KJV1611 to look for examples.

First of all there's the talking serpent in Eden, of course, "more subtil than any beast". But my nephew would probably point out that according to Revelation 12:9 the serpent was really Satan; "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world:". I suppose my counter-argument would be that if the serpent is Satan, and Satan is a dragon (with 7 heads and 10 horns), then the serpent is still an animal.

Well, reading on we're told to ask animals for advice.

Job 12:7 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:
Job 12:8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.

Several psalms tell us how all creatures shall praise the Lord:

Psalm 145:10 All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.

Psalm 145:21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Psalm 148:7 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
[...]
Psalm 148:10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
[...]
Psalm 148:13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.

Psalm 150:6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

In the New Testament the story about Balaam and the talking donkey is re-confirmed:

2 Peter 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
2 Peter 2:16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

"Dumb ass speaking". That must be one of my favorite Bible quotes.

Finally, in the Bible's last chapter we're told once again that all animals in heaven, on the earth, and under the earth are praising Jesus for ever and ever: GLORY BE UNTO THE LORD:

Revelation 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Did I forget any?