The expression, “You are stubborn as a mule” is very likely one we have heard at some time or another from an exasperated parent with their child. Perhaps, at one time, you and I were that child receiving that harsh reprimand from our parents. I would hope that this rebuke is not one that has been directed to either one of us recently. Nonetheless, when this phrase is uttered in irritation it aims to unveil a person’s refusal to change his stance on an opinion or rejection of sound advice given by a loved one. The significance of the comparison in the idiom refers to the great effort it takes to make a mule move, when it decides it does not want to continue moving forward. Thus, in no way is it meant to demean a person’s level of intellect or insult their ability of comprehension. Instead, the purpose of the idiom is to reveal a person’s firm, rooted steadfastness on a belief or their persistence to continue to practice a certain action, in spite of all the advice he may have received. In other words, it speaks about a person firmly set in their ideas and will not listen to advice. Once they have made up their mind, it is extremely difficult to get them to change it. For this reason, Holy Scripture promulgates, “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established” (Proverbs 15:22, emphasis added). A trait revealed by a person who rejects counsel from a friend is undeniably pride. In several instances, the response from the obstinate man is that he knows what he is doing and requires no advice. He who is unwilling to listen, is many times resisting because he feels attacked and does not observe from where the advice originates. Their pride triggers this defensive mentality because at an instant they associate the loved ones’ words with rejection and insult. Therefore, this reaction tragically blinds them to see who is the one providing direction and deafens their ears to what the message in actuality is. Curiously, this was the lesson that was taught to Balaam; by his donkey (Numbers 22:22-35). After Israel had defeated the Amorites, Holy Writ tells of Balaam, the son of Beor, who was courted by Balak, king of the Moabites. Holy Scripture explains that “Moab was exceedingly afraid of the people because they were many, and Moab was sick with dread because of the children of Israel” (Numbers 22:3). Due to this dread, the Moabite king reaches out to Balaam asking him to “curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed” (Numbers 22:6, emphasis added). However, Balaam was forbidden to go with Balak instructed by God “you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed” (Numbers 22:12, emphasis added). King Balak did not accept Balaam’s refusal to come to Moab and curse his enemy, thus he insisted Balaam to come and enticed him with riches and honor (Numbers 22:16-17). Lamentably, Balaam’s avarice was potent enough to convince him to persist and ask the Lord once more to allow him to go. Although the Lord had already commanded Balaam not to go and that Israel was blessed by Him, Balaam foolishly insisted to be granted permission to go. In the end, Balaam decides to go despite God’s warning to him that it would be pointless for him to go since his goal of cursing the people would not be achieved. Balaam’s refusal to heed to God’s command kindled His wrath and “the Angel of the Lord took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey” (Numbers 22:22). The inspired scribe manifests that “the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way” (Numbers 22:23, emphasis added). It is curious that what Balaam’s loyal animal was able to see, Balaam himself had failed to see from the very beginning. The donkey was able to immediately identify the Angel of the Lord as a foe and correctly surmised the gravity of their predicament. Balaam, on the other hand, was ensconced by the promise of riches and human glory that he was walking on the path that led to his death. Thus, the donkey (typically the symbol of folly) was wise and Balaam (typically the symbol of understanding) was foolish for Scripture concedes “a prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished” (Proverbs 22:3). Three times Balaam’s donkey attempted to hide her master from the Angel’s sword, and each time she was beaten for it. Each time, the loyal beast would do something more to try and make her owner comprehend the threat standing in their way, but each time Balaam’s patience was thinning until “Balaam’s anger was aroused, and he struck the donkey with his staff” (Numbers 22:27). Indeed, James’ inspired words of “the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:20) are at once validated when Jehovah God opens the mouth of Balaam’s donkey. In response to her being unjustifiably punished by her master, she asks “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?…Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I become yours to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you” (Numbers 22:28, 30 emphasis added)? The questions asked by this humble beast are emulated by the apostle when asked his brethren in Galatia “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth” (Galatians 4:16, emphasis added)? Balaam’s donkey was being loyal to her master by protecting him from God’s wrath, but Balaam failed to comprehend it because he was so focused on his personal gain. He failed to remember that his donkey had always been loyal and did not stop to listen to what it was she was trying to communicate to him. Through his beast’s submissive loyalty, the Lord taught Balaam what he was lacking toward God. When the donkey was saving her owner’s life with meekness, Balaam was defying his with rebelliousness. Thus, God taught Balaam straight from the donkey’s mouth (literally) what true loyalty and submission to a master is supposed to be. It is wise to note that “if she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live” (Numbers 22:33, emphasis added). Thus, we when receiving advice from a loyal friend, we should learn to listen to what they have to say, because they may be aware of a threat that we cannot see.
