In the times of Moses, there was a man named Balaam, of whom was also a prophet. However, He didn’t obey God in the story we will read in Numbers, chapter 22, which got him in a lot of trouble. Balaam was supposed to go with a group of men but went with the princes of Moab instead. And here is what went down. “And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do. And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. And the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. But the angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.” (Numbers 22:20-24)
It was at this time that Balaam had gone against God, so in so doing, his eyes were blinded by the pitfalls that were before him. It was an angel of God that was stopping his ass from going any further, but Balaam thought the donkey was simply not obeying him, and so he got whipped many times. What then takes place is absolutely amazing, as the animal speaks. “And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again. And the angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.” (Numbers 22:25-29)
God did open the mouth of the donkey and it continues to speak to Balaam. “And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay. Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive. And Balaam said unto the angel of the Lord, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.” (Numbers 22:30-34) The truth is, that God is able to do all things, even to the point of allowing an animal to speak. People that limit God would say this is an impossibility. Amen.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that You will continue to help me in the lost world we live in. There is so much evil in the world we live in. Because of all the wickedness, leaving you is so easy for most people. Thankfully, You have me and I will never go back to the life I once lived. To sin willfully against You is so wicked and I pray that people will repent of their iniquity immediately if they ever realize this is happening. Thank You for sending angels to go before me, in order to help me to not do things that will keep me apart from You. I love Your ways and am grateful to know a God that is so real that He actually helps me in life. I can rely on You, for You are alive and well in every true believer. One thing I know is that sin separates us from You. It fights against what we believe in and unfortunately wins with many people on earth. Lord, I pray that You will lead me from temptation. If I am ever not walking on Your narrow path, but a broad road instead, help me realize this before it is too late. It is only heaven that I want. I want to be where You are, Lord. Help me also bring others with me. I love You, God. Amen.
