SCRIPTURE: NUMBERS 22
BALAK SUMMONS BALAAM (vs. 1-20)
Balak, the king of Moab sent messages to summon Balaam to put a curse on the Israelites. But God spoke to Balaam not to go with them, so Balak’s princes returned home. Then Balak sent more numerous and distinguish prines to Balaam again and promised to reward him handsomely if he put a curse on Israelites. But Balaam was firm to obey what God had commanded him to do.
BALAAM’S DONKEY (vs. 21-41)
The next day, Balaam sadden his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. While in the road, the donkey saw an angel of the Lord with a sword. So he turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat the donkey to get him back on the road. Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between two vineyards will walls on both sides. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, he pressed close to the wall curching Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat the donkey again.,Then the angel of the Lord moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam and he was angry and beat her with his staff. Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth and said to Balaam: “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times? (v. 28). 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 down low and fell face down. The angel told Balaam that he had come to oppose him because his path is reckless. Balaam confessed his sin and wanted to go back. But the angel of the Lord told him to proceed but speak only what the Lord told him to say.
Balak went out to meet Balaam and told him that he was going to reward him. But Balaam replied: “I must speak only what God puts in my mouth: (v. 38). Balak sacrificed a cattle and sheep at Kiriath Huzoth. The next morning, Balak took Balaam to Bamoth Baal to see part of the Israelites.
THOUGHTS:
Balaam was a hireling prophet who finally succumbed to the pressure of greater honor and more money. Paul warned: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils” (1 Timothy 6:10)
Balak resorted to spiritual deception by hiring Balaam to curse Israel. He offered Balaam a good price which the prophet refused. But he did not give up. Instead, he sent more noble than the first and promised Balaam great wealth and honor for him to reconsider the matter. This is what Satan always does. He will find another way to lure people and use religion as a means of getting wealth.
Belief in curses and blessings was common in Old Testament times. Balaam was a sorcerer, who was called upon to place curses on others. Balak, the king of Moab wanted Balaam to use his power to place a curse on Israel. When Balaam rode a donkey on his way to Moab, the angel of the Lord tried to stop him. But Balaam’s greed for the wealth offered by the king blinded him. We can also become blinded by the desire for money, possession or prestige. Avoid Balaam’s mistake by looking past the temptation of fame or fortune to the long range benefits of following God.
Balaam beat at the donkey three times. But it was the donkey who saved Balaam’s life. We sometimes strike out at blameless people who got in our way because we are embarrassed or our pride is hurt. Lashing is a sign of hurting others to revenge our hurt and pride.