On Wednesday the 15 of June we all kinda looked at Joann like she had lost her mind when she asked us that question. She then gave us the scripture to go with that question.
Numbers 22-24
Yes, you read that right 3 chapters all dealing with Balaam the supposed prophet of God and Balak the King of Moab. I encourage you to pick up a Bible and read these chapters but for those who might be pressed for time or don’t have a Bible I will try to sum it up. The Israelites had come up out of Egypt to possess their Promised Land. Balak went out to look over these intruders who where going to destroy his happy little kingdom. As he looked over this multitude great fear seized him. He had heard the stories he knew the living, powerful, almighty God was with this host and he knew he didn’t stand a chance against them as long as they where in God’s favor. So he decides to send for the prophet to curse this people if he could turn God against this people with a curse from God’s prophet he had a chance of winning. Joann put out a point here that I had never thought of, Balaam had a reputation for in 22:6 it says that Balak knew that whomever Balaam cursed was cursed and whom ever Balaam blessed was blessed. She went on to expound that there was evident power in Balaam’s words and how often we forget that our words have power to build up and tear down. How many times have we just offhandedly said something derogatory about someone we don’t know. The power of our words could of just brought more calamity on someone who was already struggling. And what if our words bring a curse on someone who God is already blessing that puts us at odds with God, not a good place to be. So lets always temper our speech with the love of God.
Moving on now, so here arriving at Balaam’s door are some of the princes of Moab asking him to come and curse this people. Balaam says he will talk to God, but in verse 9 of chapter 22 God shows up and ask Balaam who these people are staying with him. Balaam tells him who they are and why they have come. God tells him he cannot go and that Balaam will not curse the Israelites for God has blessed them. For a minute lets look at this Balaam said he would talk to God but we see he didn’t go seeking God, God came seeking him. How many times have we done that? We say oh I will talk to God about it yet we don’t we just do what we think He would have us do. Then God shows up and says, “We need to talk, you are about to do something or are already doing something that is not what I would have you do.” I have had that experience before, not very fun. Another point that was made was from the wording in verse 12 Balaam could have cursed Israel but God told him, ” you shall not curse the people,” so therefore God said you could curse them but I am telling you not to. Balaam listens to God and tells the princes to leave without him ” for the Lord refuses to permit me to go with you.” Numbers 22:13
Balak doesn’t take no for an answer and in verses 15-17 sends even more important princes asking Balaam to come with promises of promotion and honor. Balaam answers with what sounds like a challenge in verse 18 ” If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more.” But Balaam goes on to say in verse 19 that if they stay with him that night, God might tell him something more. Joann said in her own words ” Maybe God will change his mind now that they have offered me more stuff, I will ask again.” Oh how many times we are guilty of this. God said no last time maybe now that things have changed or the circumstances are different he will change his mind and give me the answer I want. God does visit Balaam and said in verse 20, ” If the men come to call you, rise up and go with them, but still only what I tell you may you do.” Oh boy if we take the first half of that sentence God just gave him permission to go, BUT, there is a “BUT STILL ONLY WHAT I TELL YOU MAY YOU DO.” God had already told Balaam not to go that didn’t change. So next morning Balaam saddles his donkey and off he go’s with the princes of Moab.
In verse 22 it says that God was angry because Balaam went with them and sent and angel to be an adversary against Balaam. The angel was there because Balaam did what Balaam wanted to do and not what God had told him to do. God didn’t change his mind Balaam just wanted to believe he had so he could do what he wanted. Verses 23 -30 brings out some interesting dialogue between Balaam and a donkey. Reading through this it can catch you off guard if you actually think about Balaam just sitting there smacking the donkey and then it just up and talks to him and he talks back. I don’t believe I could coolly sit on my donkey’s back and hold a conversation with it. In verse 34 Balaam says he has sinned because he was trying to go when the angel was standing in front of him and that he will turn back if that is what the angel wishes. By this time I think maybe God just threw up his hands and said let him go because I can’t reach him. I have told him no, I have sent my angel to slay him, I even had his donkey talk to him and still this stubborn person continues to WANT to go on. I would like to say if it was me in Balaam’s shoes I would have just took God at his first word, or at least his second, or the donkey would have convinced me and especially and angel telling me he had come to kill me would have sent me scurrying home. But to be perfectly honest there have been many times when God has used drastic measures with me and I have just kept going because I wanted to do it.
Micah 6:1-5 and 2 Peter 2:15-17 talk about the sin of Balaam. We are like Balaam we get things in our heads and then go okay God could you bless this because this is what I want to do. Instead we should say with James in James 4:15 If the Lord is willing I will do this.
Last thoughts if you are riding along on your donkey and troubles keep popping up and your donkey starts talking to you, LISTEN. Because we can override God’s plan for us. We can get out there doing our own thing, going where we want to go doing what we want to do. And forget that we are God’s children we are suppose to follow him. Surrender up our wills, our lives, our everything to this great and wonderful God who loves us and knows what is best for us. Let’s not be a jackass that literally means “a stupid person” don’t push our poor donkey on just because we are to stupid and stubborn to give up on our will.
