The Bible In Paintings, #55: BALAAM AND HIS TALKING DONKEY

Bing Images ^ | c. 2200 BC -- c. 95 AD | Father, Son & Holy Spirit

[Hebrews 11:6]

At the Holy Spirit's prompting, I am surveying "Bible art" to give God glory, as many of these artists have done, and for my own amusement and learning; and I thought others might enjoy it and be blessed by it, too. My plan is to proceed methodically from left-to right, Genesis to Revelation, as the Lord wills. Back soon with another.

The Bible encourages us to meditate on it (Ps. 1:1-3, 119:11-16, etc.); these artists have done so, and their works can assist us and enrich our own thoughts about biblical characters, incidents and concepts, and increase our faith in He who is behind it all. As you encounter and consider these images and the related Scriptures and the Spirit enlightens your understanding, please share it with us!

But it is not only oil-on-canvas that can so help us; I refer to the astonishing video series The Chosen, which strolls through the four Gospels at the most leisurely pace. The eight episodes of Season 1 are finished, and the second of a planned seven seasons is coming soon. I say "leisurely" because after an entire year’s viewing Jesus still has only seven of the apostles (although He's preparing to call up Thomas from the minor leagues--but Thomas is skeptical, of course). Anticipating a canvas of fifty-plus hours instead of a movie's paltry two hours, The Chosen turns the characters (especially including Jesus!) into three-dimensional humans and brings the Gospels alive--you have never seen anything even remotely like it! Here is the Official Trailer.

Here is a link for free viewing of The Chosen: “Works with your phone, tablet, and you can cast to your Roku or Chromecast.” Last fall I paid $34.98 for DVDs and ongoing internet access—best 35 bucks I’ve ever spent (I don’t recall how much our marriage license cost, but then it was 42 years ago).

[Hebrews 11:6]

Ping List for the series
"THE BIBLE IN PAINTINGS"

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in this series, either reply here or FRmail me.

[Hebrews 11:6]

……... .

F o r . . y o u r

CONSIDERATION,
ENJOYMENT
& BLESSING

……... .

[Jolla]

Thank you for another wonderful story and art review. I do not recall ever reading that story in Bible School. A few of your choices are like that.

[Maudeen]

Another great one!

[Maudeen]

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/niv/Num.23

You might enjoy looking at the pictures while listening. This is Biblegateway by Dramatized. I like that version to listen to. This will start with Numbers 23 and will continue. Enjoy!

[wally_bert]

I learned from an episode of Naked Archaeologist.

[Maudeen]

OOps. . .meant to start with Numbers 22!

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/niv/Num.22

You might enjoy looking at the pictures while listening. This is Biblegateway by Dramatized. I like that version to listen to. This will start with Numbers 23 and will continue. Enjoy!

[left that other site]

There is actually more than ONE ass in this story!

Welcome back! :-)

[Hebrews 11:6]

I just take them sequentially: if I find enough art, I gather it up and post it. Artists have had thousands of years to react, so even the most obscure Bible passages usually generate art—I’ve been really (pleasantly) surprised by that.

[stars & stripes forever]

Your site blesses me, Hebrews 11:6. So many pictures telling the Old, Old Stories. Thank you for the link to The Chosen.

[Hebrews 11:6]

I’m trying VERY hard to resist the ol’ “takes one to know one.”

[Hebrews 11:6]

Have you watched any of it?

[stars & stripes forever]

I just watched the trailer and plan to purchase the episodes. GOD is on the move! His WORD is being revealed to those who do not know Him.

[Hebrews 11:6]

So many pictures telling the Old, Old Stories.

You started this thought in me: they're Old, Old Stories to us, but Balaam and Balak (though not the donkey) are still alive. Like ours, these memories remain vivid to them, and will forever.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Having seen The Chosen, I'd add:
"His WORD is being revealed in a uniquely powerful new way to those who do not know Him."

[silent majority rising]

I had visions of biden riding the democratic ass and being forced to tell the truth by the angel. It would be painful for the socialists in the party...

[Hebrews 11:6]

Thanks for the link. You’ve started me pondering whether and how to include a link for each passage, where appropriate. The fact that I abridge the text so drastically (thinking aloud here) shouldn’t prevent it. I’ll look into it. As I’ve noted elsewhere, my focus is on the Bible, not the art.

[themidnightskulker]

Please ping me for the series.The stories are great and I enjoy the art.
Thank you for all you are doing.
This is the best use of limited bandwidth I have had all week.

Thanks,
Sean

[Hebrews 11:6]

Just added you, Sean--very happy to include you. And no, I won't be adding an extra midnight version just so you can see it first.

Dan