Bible Question: I know and understand perfectly the account of the talking snake, I know and believe, of course, that it was not just the animal there, but a wicked spirit talking through it. But my doubt is about the Eve's reaction... I would like to know WHY she was not afraid of seeing an animal talking, so as Balaam... if we, today, saw one of those things, we'd run away immediately but they didn't, why? I read in John Gill's Exposition that good angles used to talking through animals with our original parents, so as Jewish tradition says about it, and by being accostumed to it, both (Eve and Balaam) didn't get afraid in front of an animal talking... is that right? |
Bible Answer: I get the opinion from reading the story of Balaam that he was so angry that he was actually to the point of being irrational. I think when a person gets to that point, they are not scared of things they normally would be, or just have different reactions then they would if they were calm. I have found in my own life that when I neglect to let God be in charge of my thoughts, it is much easier to be caught in the trap of sin, no matter how irrational it may seem to the outsider. I believe both Balaam and Eve were experiencing those moments where their own selfish desire and curiosity were so alluring, they ignored the commands and the warnings of God. I believe that Satan used that particular serpent on purpose because he knew that it was stunningly beautiful and Eve would be so caught off guard with the serpent's attractiveness that the fact the it talked to her did not register as fast as it should have. We have no idea how long they were in the garden before this happened. Perhaps she was still learning about all the wonderful things in God's creation, and in her mind this was just another fascinating discovery. I have not heard of the Jewish tradition that good angels talked through animals to people, but in the Genesis account God himself talked with Adam and Eve face to face. |