[sirchtruth]

I suspect not so this other gentleman.

Especially, if the law was against such an action. The Lord is not going to contradict commands.

On a totally unrelated subject, but since we're talking about "clanging cymbols", you really wanna know what freaks me out? Not only the "serpant" speaking to Eve, but the donkey speaking to Balaam. There's no indication that I have found in the scripture that this was a big deal to either of them that some animal was trying to carry on a conversation.

In fact Balaam goes on to tell the donkey, "I would have killed you if I had a sword in my hand"...He doesn't even consider or act in the least bit startled that a donkey is speaking to him...I'da been freakin' out!

This for some reason has been on my mind and I just had to spill....Thanks!

[Eccl 10:2]

"...you really wanna know what freaks me out? Not only the "serpant" speaking to Eve, but the donkey speaking to Balaam."

Cool! Never looked at it that way. I guess if the Lord could make the donkey talk, He could make Balaam want to listen. Then before Balaam could think about it, the angel appears to him too. If I saw that, then nothing would seem strange.

Sort of like the "baseball men" in Field of Dreams. Once Timothy Busfield's character finally saw them, his first reaction was "Don't sell this farm, Ray!".

[nmh]

I suspect that before the "Fall" animals and humans easily communicated with one another. The serpent spoke to Eve and there was NO shock or fear. Occasionally we see animals today that have a VERY close relationship with man such as dogs. They are often called man's best friend. There are MANY stories on how these animals have saved human lives or served as eyes for the blind (seeing eye dogs). Or take dolphins - how they help us. There seems to be some kind of communication, affection and understanding between some animals and man. It's fascinating when you think about it.