Balaam had given evidence of the spirit that controlled him, by his treatment of his beast. "A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." 443 Proverbs 12:10. Few realize as they should the sinfulness of abusing animals or leaving them to suffer from neglect. He who created man made the lower animals also, and "His tender mercies are over all His works." Psalm 145:9. The animals were created to serve man, but he has no right to cause them pain by harsh treatment or cruel exaction.

Ved sin behandling af dyret havde Bileam vist, hvilken ånd der havde magten over ham. "Den retfærdige føler med sit kvæg, gudløses hjerte er grumt." Ord. 12, 10. Der er kun få, der forstår, hvor syndigt det er at være ond mod dyrene eller lade dem lide mangel. Menneskets skaber har også skabt dyrene, og "hans barmhjertighed er over alle hans værker". Sl. 145, 9. Dyrene blev skabt for menneskets skyld, men mennesket har ikke ret til at volde dem smerte ved hårdhed eller grov udnyttelse.