It's one of the most fascinating and almost humorous accounts in the Bible. Balaam is prophet of God in the Old Testament. He lived during the time of the Israelites wilderness wanderings. As the Israelites trekked their way through the desert country, they came up against various nations who refused to let them pass through their countries or territories. Conflict always ensued and God always gave the victory to the Israelites. And as Israel wiped out whole armies and communities defending themselves, the nations were getting a edgy when the Israelite pilgrimage led them close to their land.
The Israelites had reached the plain of Moab, which made the king of Moab very nervous. So he sent for Balaam to put a curse on the Israelites. The first ambassadors for King Balak were unsuccessful in convincing Balaam to go to meet with the king. God had instructed Balaam not to go. So King Balak put together a high powered entourage of princes and important people and sent them to pursuade Balaam to come meet with him. And persuasive they were. They offered Balaam a very lucrative reward.
Initially, Balaam said no because God had said no. But just like any child, Balaam begged God to let him go meet with the king. God, reluctantly told Balaam he could go. So the next morning, Balaam eagerly saddled his trusty steed, a donkey, headed off with Balak's posse. God was really hacked at Balaam for giving in to these powerful and prominent people. So He sent an angel with a sword to oppose Balaam.
Here's where things really get interesting, the trusty old steed saw the angel of the Lord with sword drawn and did everything in her power to avoid getting them both killed. At first, she took off through a field. Next, she crushed Balaam's foot against a wall to avoid the angels striking blow. Finally, she just laid down and refused to go anywhere when she saw the angel standing in a narrow place in the road through which they had to pass.
Each time the donkey took evasive action to protect them, Balaam beat her. Now, in one of the most unique events in the Bible, God actually allowed the donkey to speak. I don't mean in brays. I mean speak speak. God allowed the donkey to talk to Balaam. Whoa! Can you imagine Balaam when the donkey said, "Dude, what the heck are you beating me for?." Now what's really funny is the conversation Balaam has with his donkey. It's almost as if he's arguing with his wife, only worse.
Balaam is so ticked at his donkey he tells her he'd kill her right now if he had a sword. To which the donkey defends herself, I'm sure in a feminine voice. And as most ladies effectively do in arguments, she backs Balaam into a corner of guilt. It's at that moment that the angel reveals himself to Balaam and takes the donkey side. So Balaam falls facedown and begs for forgiveness.
If you think Balaam was confused, what do you think the princes and high officials were thinking at all of this. They were probably checking their own canteens to see what they'd been drinking.
I've met a lot of Balaam's in my life time. They know what God wants them to do, but they get swayed by the voices of friends, peers, society, greed, lust and the like. They choose to go with the persuasive voices against God's wishes and more often than not their better judgment. Balaam wanted to stay in good favor with Balak and the boys. He was enticed by their pressure and prominence. He was drawn by the rewards and relationships, the personal acknowledgments and affirmation. Instead of doing the hard thing, he chose to do the popular thing. Instead of standing for the right thing to do and facing the consequences and potential hardships, he gave in. Instead placing himself at odds with the influential people, he chose to place himself at odds with God. And even though God allowed Balaam to go, if it weren't for the protective action of a co-laborer in God, an ass, if you will, Balaam would have suffered severe consequences, or should a I say severed consequences, his head from his body.
God, I want to listen carefully to you. I don't want to do what you don't want me to. Sometimes I know I need an ass to protect me from myself. I need people who will intervene in my behalf to keep me from making stupid mistakes. Help me to be that ass for others as well, to give constructive advice as friends and co-laborers in Christ falter from your path.
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