Today’s Reading: Num. 22 – 24
Here we are at Day 42 already, headed well into the second month. Thanks so much for keeping connected and pushing forward in reading.
Like stories? Fairy stories? Of a donkey telling off his master!
It looks like Balaam had a healthy respect for the LORD, but he sure wanted the LORD to change His mind, so he (Balaam) could make some money.
He’s glad when the LORD lets him go with the messengers – was this a test to prove just exactly who Balaam was? The Lord is angry, because unknown to Balaam, cursing God’s people is something God will never allow. He has promised and it is in God’s faithful character, never to go back on a promise! That fact about God is a never-ending source of daily comfort to me, now that I belong to His family!
The donkey seems to have had more sense than Balaam himself, but then the Lord had opened the eyes of the donkey to actually see the angel with the sword! How often, I have pushed other people and things for something I want so badly, but like Balaam, I have no idea how disastrous it would be to actually get what I want! Recently I learned a quote from John Baker about situations like these. ‘Insanity is trying the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result!’
So Balaam is allowed to continue his journey, but warned and told he is not to say anything except what God allows him to! I think I like Moses’ reaction better than Balaam’s. Moses said, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”! (Ex. 33:15). I hope I have Moses’ heart for life!
And so despite what Balak can say and the pressure he can bring on Balaam, Balaam can’t actually curse the people of God, he can only bless them and tell of their ultimate victory over their enemies.
Balak’s final flinging sarcastic comment is “Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the LORD has kept you from being rewarded.” When will I ever learn and chart my life’s course by the fact that the blessing of the LORD, it makes rich! (Proverbs 10:22) – Nothing else makes truly rich!
I pray that each of us will have a rich day of God’s blessing in our lives, of getting to know him better and have our eyes open to see His protection and blessing in our lives!