Balaam's Donkey

March 22

Numbers 21-22

Psalm 36:7-12

Proverbs 8:27-29

Mark 16

Balaam’s Donkey

“Then Yahweh opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand;  and he bowed his head down and prostrated himself to the ground.  And the angel of Yahweh said to him, ‘Why have you struck your donkey these three times?  Behold, I have come out as an adversary because your way was contrary to me.  And the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times.  If it had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let it live.’” 

Numbers 22:31-33 LSB

This is one of those stories in the Bible that make you laugh and shake your head.  I would love to have been there to see Balaam’s reaction when his donkey spoke to him.  He already didn’t want to go with Balak’s men, but God told him to go ahead.  On their way, his donkey started acting weird and refusing to move.  The angel of Yahweh was on his path blocking the way.  The donkey could see the angel, but Balaam couldn’t.  The first time the donkey veered off into a field, the second time he pressed himself to a wall pressing Balaam’s foot into the wall and the third time he just sat down under him.  Getting more and more frustrated Balaam struck the donkey with a stick.  God opened the mouth of the donkey and the donkey asked him why he had struck him. He must have thought he had lost his mind, but God opened his eyes and he was able to see the angel of Yahweh standing in the path.  The angel explained that his way was contrary to God’s plan and so he was standing in the way to keep him from going forward.  The night before God had told him to go, but to speak only the words God gave him.  God must have known that he was not going to do as he was told so he needed to get his attention and reiterate to him that he was only to speak the words God gave him.  I think a donkey speaking is enough to get anyone’s attention so Balaam proceeded and gave Balak the message from God. 

            Hopefully God does not have to use a talking donkey to get our attention.  When we are going down a path that is not pleasing to God, He is so gracious to us and will send us messages to change our path.  It may be a sermon, a devotional, a word from a friend, a song on the radio, or any number of other things God uses to speak to us.  If we ignore the promptings, they will get stronger and stronger.  Eventually, He may have to do something drastic to get our attention.  He loves us so much that He does not want us to take paths that will lead us into trouble, danger or away from Him.  It is imperative that we have a listening heart.  If we keep getting roadblocks that stop us from doing something, we need to pray and evaluate if God is trying to tell us that that is not His plan for us.  He will make it clear to us if we ask Him for direction.  Roadblocks could also be coming from Satan because it is something God wants us to do, so it is important to seek God and wise counsel before continuing forward.  The more we listen to His promptings, the more familiar we become with His voice.  When we can recognize His voice, He won’t have to shout.  He can just whisper and we will hear and obey.