Balaam’s Donkey

Num 22:23-32         12/9/2017

Balaam trekked from his home to visit Balak, the king of Moab. Along the route, his donkey refused to follow the path on three separate occasions. Each time, Balaam beat the donkey. Finally, the donkey spoke to Balaam. Having served Balaam faithfully, she asked him if she had ever refused him in the past. Balaam realized that the donkey’s behavior was out of character, at which point he was able to perceive the angel that the donkey had been avoiding.

Knowing and Doing God’s Will.

Balaam had projected his values and desires onto God. Like we are all want to do; Balaam wanted God to want the things that Balaam wanted.

It sounds convoluted. It is convoluted. When I’m in it, I don’t realize what I am doing. I don’t realize that I’m trying to force my agenda onto the Creator of the Universe.

I even tell myself, “If he loved me, he would want what I want. He would do what I want Him to do.”

Judas: Like Balaam, Judas had followed Jesus. He knew His words. He saw His power done in miracles. But Judas wanted Jesus to do what Judas wanted.

It’s counter-intuitive. We say to ourselves, “If I saw God face-to-face I could never sin again.” But those who’ve had that experience prove the claim untrue.

Balaam’s donkey. Faithful in work. Faithful in testimony.

If I find myself condemning those who love me most because they question my plans- maybe it’s time to get off the road and make sure I’m headed in the right direction.

Learning to listen involves wanting to hear. I must be quiet enough to want to hear the voice of a friend.

“Trustworthy are the blows of a friend, dangerous, the kisses of an enemy” Proverbs 27:6