Numbers 22 - 9.16.21
Scripture - What stood out?
Numbers 22:28-31 NIV
Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?”
Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.”
The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?”
“No,” he said.
Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.
Observation - What does it say?
At this point in the story, Balaam the diviner had beaten his faithful donkey three times for three separate transgressions on the way to meet king Balak who desperately wants him to curse the nation of Israel for him. Unbeknownst to Balaam, the donkey had saved his life three times from the angel whom God had sent to kill Balaam for his own transgression against God. In an ironic twist of fate, God uses Balaam’s faithful (and not stubborn!) and spiritually sighted donkey to teach her master a swift and effective lesson in obedience. Obedience of the utmost value and importance, obedience to God.
Understanding - What does it mean?
These next few words are very hard for me to type…
When God tells me to do something, I have to obey.
My stomach twists into knots just thinking about the above statement. It is easy to point out the faults in others. It is also to get lost in the idea that the bible contains a talking donkey. But if you are able to move past that, you end up with a very straightforward story. God told Balaam to wait...and then go with the princely escort in the morning. Instead Balaam used the opportunity as a green light for him to go and reap the rewards for cursing Israel. God knew Balaam’s heart and became angry with him.
When God tells me to do something, I have to obey.
As I attempt to apply Godly principles within my own home I have had several bible verses stand out to the forefront of my mind. They begin with the words, “Judge not that ye be not judged.” I have taken my own life under a microscope (thanks Balaam!) and I choose my words a little more carefully in my own home, and I choose my actions and words a little more carefully everywhere else as a result.
Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?
Lord, I know there are more areas of my life that I can bring into alignment with you. I say those words with trepidation when I shouldn’t. That part of me that stays attached to worldly ways doesn’t want to let go. Help me Holy Spirit, shed light on the instruction from God I have been hiding from, and do not let my own desires that do not align with God, lead me astray.
In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.
-kenneth lee
