Before we address the talking donkey, it is important to know more about Balaam. Scripture fails to tells much about him.
Balaam was Gentile prophet. Balaam recognized God was sovereign and powerful. He sought God's wisdom. He spoke God's words. However, he did not have God's heart. He loved recognition and money, this was his motive for going to see the Balak. Yes, God told him to go because He intented to use him in His plan to bless Israel in front of their enemy. Upon leaving, God got angry because He could see the motive of Balaam's heart. Yes, he was going speak God's words but he was hoping to make a little cash on the side.
I love that despite our motives and the messenger, God's plan is achieved. Not only is His plan achieved but He uses the circumstances to teach His children a lesson or two. Balaam was the recepient of the lesson and the donkey was the messenger.
Every time I read this story I crack-up. I keep expecting Balaam to turn to his donkey and say, "how is that you are talking to me?" He is not all surprised that his donkey is talking to him. He speaks to him as if they converse all the time. God has such a great sense of humor, doesn't He? I love thinking of Him inspiring Moses to write these words knowing that today we would read and laugh.
The message is clear: sometimes we are stubborn as mules. Our God is gracious ten-fold. He tries more times that we deserve to get our attention. Did you notice the way for Balaam got more and more narrow. I immediately thought of Matthew 7:14
I love that despite our motives and the messenger, God's plan is achieved. Not only is His plan achieved but He uses the circumstances to teach His children a lesson or two. Balaam was the recepient of the lesson and the donkey was the messenger.
Every time I read this story I crack-up. I keep expecting Balaam to turn to his donkey and say, "how is that you are talking to me?" He is not all surprised that his donkey is talking to him. He speaks to him as if they converse all the time. God has such a great sense of humor, doesn't He? I love thinking of Him inspiring Moses to write these words knowing that today we would read and laugh.
The message is clear: sometimes we are stubborn as mules. Our God is gracious ten-fold. He tries more times that we deserve to get our attention. Did you notice the way for Balaam got more and more narrow. I immediately thought of Matthew 7:14
"But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it."
God in His sovereignty does all He can to make sure we are directed to the narrow gate. It is our responsibilty to yield to His directions, even if He uses a donkey to point the way. 
15 Comments:
Wendy, I needed to be reminded this morning, that God's plan WILL be achieved.
Errors have been made by the hospital concerning my Dad's care this week. A drug he is allergic to was erroneously administered. His reaction is such that he is now in restraints. THIS IS NOT MY DAD! My days are spent at the hospital. My nights are filled with concern. Not only has this medication effected his mind, but physcially something went wrong with the surgery. Wendy, he's 83. God is not surprised by what has happened, but why did He allow it to happen? I hate questioning God's ways, but I don't understand why we are all suffering like this right now.
Sorry...guess I'm not really focused on today's reading. I see another long day of uncertainty, confusion and heartbreak ahead.
Seeking God's direction with an exhausted heart,
Joy
Joy, my prayers are with you and your father. Today's Proverbs 31 devotional would be an encouragement to you. Especially the prayer at the end. Rest in God. He knows what He's doing even if we don't understand.
Wendy thank you for pointing out the narrowing of the way. We aren't getting by God, are we? I like that you connected the Matthew verse to it.
A nugget for me was Numbers 23:9 where it states Balaam looks at the Isrealites and sees a people "set apart from others". That's how Christians should look, shouldn't we? Not that we separate ourselves from all others, but we separate ourselves from the sinful ways of this world - which sometimes means separating ourselves from some people. Others should see that in us just like Balaam saw it in the Isrealites.
Also Numbers 24:17 once again foreshadows Christ. "A Star will rise from Jacob, a Scepter will emerge from Isreal". Jesus is coming!!! Halleluia!!
Happy Friday to all and again, God's peace to Joy.
Morgen
Dear Jesus, sweet Jesus
Thank you for holding time in your hands for me today, and for all your children. Because you do, I have time to pray for Joy this morning when she needs it the most.
You know the questions in her mind and the ache in her heart, moreover, you have the answer to her questions and you are the compassion for her aching heart.
I pray for the doctor's who are administering care to her precious father. Grant them your clarity and wisdom in their decisions. Clothe them with compassion and love.
Give her father, your peace.
Relax Joy's mind, body, and spirit today. Consume her with your all-consuming love and warm fuzzies.
You are a Great God and greatly to be praised!
"God is not a man,so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind."
Our LORD is unchangeable; the integrity of His Word is honest, sincere, whole & good. My prayer Lord, is that, "my steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped." Psalm 17:5
When we debate, discuss, huddle, talk, confer, consult...with temptations, we are in great jeopardy of being defeated by the enemy. I loved your point, Morgen, about "set apart from other nations." The main topics of conversation are many times centered around the things of the world...Someone once said, "To test the true purpose of our interests, we neeed only to ask whether our desires lead us to God or away from Him." I'll ponder on that today...So wanting the desires of my heart to lead me to God!
Oh dear sweet Joy my prayers today will be with your family, and your father. I pray that through your long day there will be some light, some joy in your sorrow. I'm praying that God will hold you up as you walk in His path and that your footsteps do not slip. Our all-knowing God has a plan for your father. Through these difficult circumstances we know for a fact that all things work together for good to them that love God. I feel your pain and wish I could take it away.
Praying for you,
Lori - Mesa, AZ
Joy - Peace be with you, Father God give her strength, renew her steadfast faith in you, bind the the questions and confussion that would try to steal her joy and peace. Comfort her and reassure her you You ARE her God. I agree with Wendy guide the Dr. and give them wisdom. In Jesus Name. Remember when you are weak He is strong. Hugs to you.
The reading today. Thanks Wendy, I wasn't understanding why God told Balaam to go and then got mad at him - you cleared that up - God saw his heart. Thx
Then I too was wondering why is he not questioning the Donkey talking? :)
What struck me also today was how King Balak kept trying and trying to get what he wanted. How many times has any of us tried to get someone to side up with us on something? Then when the other doesn't agree - but look at this and look at that. "Now do you agree?" I was just talking to my husband yesterday about this. How when we ask someones opinion, do we really want it or are we trying to be validated? You will know by your reaction to their answer. If you argue with their answer - you only wanted to be validated.
I've been both Balaam and King Balak, and unfortunately I don't think I always listened to my Donkey as well as I should have. But getting better every day!!! :)
Good lessons - it is wonderful and amazing how God goes to such effort to teach us His ways. I feel so blessed.
Have a great weekend Ladies, thanks for you insights.
Lynn - OR
P.S.
I love how Balaam repeatedly says
"I will speak only the message that the Lord puts in my mouth."
If I could adhere to that... 24-7 - Wow!
Blessings
Great P.S. Lynn
If that would be true of all of us.
Joy, I think I posted this several days ago, but I am going to repeat it for you. May this prayer bring you peace is whatever happens with your dad.
Father, help me to yearn for your will above all else, even above what I think is best. I know you may have something better in mind. Please remove or alter my longings so that my desires align with Yours.
Jan TN
Dear Joy,
I join my prayers with those of the others that have posted. I pray for comfort for you and your family; I pray for peace of mind for your father and for healing of his mind, spirit and body. I pray for wisdom for the health professionals who are tending to him. And I pray that you will find your help in Him who comes to heal the sick, bind up the broken hearted, and set the prisoners free.
Wendy,
I agree with Lyn, thank you for explaining the nature of Balaam's heart, I to was confused about why God said go and then was angry.
Today I was struck by the growth I saw in Balaam's prophesies; Numbers 23:24 - "By now Balaam realized that the LORD was determined to bless Israel, so he did not resort to divination as before." Then the words the next two prophesies "This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of the man whose eyes see clearly, the message of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:"
I see a transformation here. Now Balaam recognizes the word and the will of God without having to resort to any aids. I think the same is true for us, that if we open our hearts to God, stop resisting, and stop relying on other "aids" we will hear His voice clearly, and know His will "with eyes wide open."
Be blessed this weekend and Joy, I will be praying.
Karen, CA
Wendy,
Thank you so much for clearing that up for me. I was pondering all morning why God was angry when Balaam proceeded on his journey when he infact gave him the permission to go!
Another point that stuck out to me is that Balaam kept repeating that he can only speak what God has told him to speak, almost as though he did not want to accept the responsibility for not adhering to Balak's wishes but he still wanted to be compensated.
From this lesson, I've learnt that while I have committed myself to carry out the will of God, there can't be any hidden agendas that would be self beneficial, because at the end of it all, God has to be Glorified!
Joy, I am praying for you and your family - God is in complete control.
Have a good weekend everyone
My understanding of the beauty of the story of Balaam is that he is an unlikely messenger.
Balaam was a magician - he relied on divination/sorcery for gain (I read, too, he used the livers of the sacrificed animals for his rituals) He schemed against any supposed deity, which is why he was called to curse the Israelites.
When first approached, he did not understand the LORD of Israel was quite unlike those he had ever met before, but by Num 24:1b he did not resort to sorcery as at other times. Num 24:2b tells us the Spirit of God came on him and he uttered his prophecy.
It's a deeply rich story, full of the miracles and the power of our Almighty God - I love it!
I also underlined and prayed over Num 22:38 I have no power to say whatever I want. I will speak only the message God puts in my mouth.
and
Num 23:20 I received a command to bless. God has blessed and I cannot reverse it!
May it be so with me, dearest Lord, that I might obey you and speak your words, blessing all I touch in word or action.
(((((Joy))))) My heart hears your heart. Little girls love their Daddies fiercely. I pray God's peace and comfort for each of you. God loves you, and he will take care of you. Keep your eyes on him and he will help you.
Love, prayers & blessings to all of you, my sisters in Christ,
Liz
Alaska
I come in agreement with all you concerning Joy and her father in Jesus Name. Joy, God has already provided for you what you need in his pasture, because you are his sheep. Psalm 23 - Rest, drink and be nourished by the One who loves you the most!
My Nuggets today:
During the right thing with wrong motives will cause more harm than good. Father, purify our heart and motives to conform to your Will.
Offering up sacrificies to God to get what we want doesn't change God's plan. He can not be brought.
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:16:17
Have a blessed weekend!
Debbie - North Carolina
Sweet friends, I can barely see to type this....your love and comments and prayers have crossed borders and given me strength. Thank you.
It is so hard to see my Daddy restrained in bed. He's the most gentle man you would ever meet. It's honestly the first time in my life I have seen him agressive and angry.
Today, when no other family member could go in to see Dad - they just can't see him like this - the Lord gave me courage to go in his room and love on him the best I could. So hard, when arms that would have always embraced me immediately are now tied to the side of the bed. I believe he did recognize me and I was able to tell him I loved him, was praying for him and that Jesus loved him.
Because something has happened with the original surgery (which was just suppose to be 'day surgery'), before today is over he's suppose to be going in for more surgery. If you read this, please pray it will be done today - if not they will have to wait until Monday. I don't know how much more of this my Daddy can stand right now. They are not giving him anything to eat, nor is he on intravenus, and that's been since Tuesday morning.
THANK YOU so much for all your love surrounding us. Your comments here and messages on my blogs or e-mail are such a treasure. To think so much of this is a result of a hospital nurse administering an incorrect medication....how my heart breaks for my Daddy. Oh, how I pray the Lord will keep him in peace.
Wendy, sorry for using this place to update, but wanted to thank all my "chronological" girlfriends for their support.
Hugs to each of you,
Joy
Joy,
No need to apologize. We are all part of the family.
You keep us posted, sister.
Dear Joy,
My heart reaches out to your dad and family. It is assuring to realize the Lord knows what you need even before you even ask (Matt 6:8) and he is more than capable of supplying all that you need.
So much can be said about God supplying the needs of the Isrealites. He gave them everything they needed; manna from heaven, godly leaders, even protection from King Balak when they may not have even known he wanted Balaam to curse them.
We pray God's blessings (which no man can reverse) for your family.
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