seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Numbers 22:21 Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the Moabite officials. 22 But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the Lord stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to get it back on the road.
24 Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat the donkey again.
26 Then the angel of the Lord moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat it with his staff. 28 Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?”
29 Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.”
30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?”
“No,” he said.
31 Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.
32 The angel of the Lord asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. 33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it.”
34 Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back.”
35 The angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with Balak’s officials.
36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite town on the Arnon border, at the edge of his territory. 37 Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why didn’t you come to me? Am I really not able to reward you?”
38 “Well, I have come to you now,” Balaam replied. “But I can’t say whatever I please. I must speak only what God puts in my mouth.”
39 Then Balaam went with Balak to Kiriath Huzoth. 40 Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and gave some to Balaam and the officials who were with him. 41 The next morning Balak took Balaam up to Bamoth Baal, and from there he could see the outskirts of the Israelite camp.
Here's the link to the commentary I use.
When the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam: The unusually difficult circumstances of this journey might have suggested to Balaam that his trip was not of God. Yet Balaam probably took it all as being attack from the enemy and used the circumstances to strengthen his hope that God wanted him to work as a prophet for hire.
This shows the great difficulty of judging God’s will by circumstances. Many circumstances can be interpreted two ways — if not more.
Please take the time to read the verses. This is a really cool story. Christians teach it to their children. Please don't skim to see if I am writing about politics again. Christians teach this story to their children.
It's in the Children's Bible Study Books in the majority of Christian Churches.
Balaam was doing what he was told not to do.
God told Balaam the Israelites were protected by God Himself.
King Balak offered Balaam a lot of money [ducketts, shiny baubles, little idols].
That money was tempting... for just a few words.
Balaam saddled his donkey.
The donkey could see the Angel with the drawn sword. The donkey tried to avoid the Angel with the drawn sword.
The donkey didn't want to get sliced up like a Thanksgiving turkey. So, the donkey took a different path... tried to sneak by... and finally, just laid down and refused to go.
Balaam was probably too busy trying to figure out what would sound like a curse, but not be a curse so he could navigate between King Balak's desire, and God's commands.
Finally... God let the donkey speak.... [or made the donkey speak]. Balaam was convicted.
Maybe Balaam figured he scored a win when God gave him permission to continue on the journey.
Balaam would be paid big bucks if he gave the speech King Balak was ordering.
God told Balaam he could continue on his journey.... but reminded him who is in charge.
God made a Donkey Talk!!!!!
If I was Balaam and a donkey talked to me.... I don't think I would be quick witted enough to try to make a slick deal.
King Balak met Balaam on the road. Balaam told King Balak "I can't say whatever I please".
King Balak took Balaam to a spot where Balaam could see all the refugees.
Will Balaam curse the Israelites against the express warning from God Himself?
That's tomorrow's study.
Today's study is about .....
Balaam's talking donkey!
