This theme of this lesson plan set is "God's Animal Kingdom," and points can be made how God made animals for us, how we are to treat animals responsibly, and how God can use animals to carry out His will. I like to say that God is the real "King of the Jungle" and this lesson plan set has two lion stories. The four lesson titles are The Talking Donkey, Samson Kills a Lion, Eats Honey and Makes Up a Riddle, Daniel in the Lions' Den, and Bible Lessons About Sheep. I have also included a page of instructions for Puppets for Children to Make.
The first three stories are stories that the Lord would have heard during his religious education. The last lesson consists of stories that the Lord told himself.
Lesson Plan 1
The Talking Donkey
Numbers 22 through 24
Background Information
The donkey in eastern countries is different from donkeys in western countries. The most noble and honorable amongst the Jews of old wanted to ride on donkeys. While in western culture the donkey is a symbol of stubbornness and stupidity, in the Middle East, the donkey is noted for its patience, gentleness, intelligence, meek submission and endurance.
The color is usually reddish brown, but there are white donkeys, which are more prized. The donkey was the animal of peace, as the horse was the animal of war. The fleetness of the wild donkey rivals that of the gazelle, and to overtake a wild donkey is a feat which only a few horses have been able to accomplish.
The Book of Numbers covers about 39 years (c. 1444-1405 B.C.). It covers Israel's wanderings under Moses.
The theme of divine judgment on unbelief is prominent in Numbers. But the book also testifies to the guidance of God - the pillar of fire and cloud (10:11), manna for food, the rock which provided water, and the provision of the bronze serpents as a means of healing snake-bitten people.
